Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Conversion of Residences Into
Business Houses.
DEVELOPING OF INTERESTS
Capitalists Attracted by Returns
From Investments.
SALE OF A FORTY-ACRE TRACT
New Gymnasium of Georgetown Col
lege Nearing Conpletion-Up
to the Roof Line.


One OF the most striking features of the
real estate situation and Illustrating, TOO,
the rapid development of the general busi-,
ness Interests Of the city, Us the conversion
of former residences into business houses
on number Of prominent streets. This is
particularly true Of the more important ar
ter.es of trade. such as and G streets.
1Ith and 18th streets, and Is measurably
characteristic OF Pennsylvania avenue and
7th street. Practically the whole Of that
portion OF 18th street from Pennsylvania
avenue to New York avenue northwest is
now going through this transition stage.
and irr fact it is stated that every former
residence within these boundaries has been
already or is now under contract for re-
modelling for business purposes. On 18th,
12th and other streets that serve as feeders
20 the main commercial thoroughfares the
same conditions prevail.
A good deal OF talk has been heard re-
Gently concerning outside capitalists who
have been attracted by the possibilities of
unusually good returns from investments in
real estate both within the city and in the
suburbs Of Washington. That there is more
than mere talk In this is Illustrated by the
contamination in the last few days. as
stated in Thursday Star. of an important
sale Of a fOrty-aCre tract of land in North
east Washington for a consideration of over
$4,000 TO out-of-town capitalists whose
names were not disclosed.
On Bladensburg Road.
The location is LOO feet northeast of
10th and II streets northeast, on the Bla-
densJurg road. Maryland avenue runs
through the property. also X, /, NJ and
18th and 18th streets northeast. 1t includes
the tract of George HUM, ten acres and
that Of Josephine Davis, containing a trifie
over thirty acres. \ portion of the forty
acres was formerly known as Hall q Hold
e.l s. subdivision Of Cottage Hil. II auJOlnS
the tract belonging to TIE heirs Of w. w.
CoTCOran. which is known as Mulligan
Hill, and Mt OliTet cemetery is opposite
the northwest corner. The promoters of
the enterprise are arranging today To have
the land graded where necessary, and the
new subdivision has already been made and
will be put on record within the coming
week. The lots, it is said, are to be sold at
reasonable figures and on easy terms. Wa
ter. sewers. sidewalks and curbing will
probably be put in at the earliest time pos
sible and gas introduced as soon as neces-
sary. The proposed new street railway TO
run out the Biadensburg road will, it Is
thought. greatly aid in the development of
this section.
The sale was contaminated through Lee
Roy Mark and Charles A. McEuen, and II.
H. Gufry represents the parties who have
Gymnasium of Georgetown College.
The new gymnasium of Georgetown Col
lege. which is now In an advanced state of
construction and which is a gift to the in
stitution from Mrs Thomas F. Ryan will
be one of the handsomest buildings of this
character In the country. IT win cost $780,.
900 and, il is thought, will be finished by
the opening OF the next scholastic year.
This is one OF several muniflcent gifts to
the college by Mrs Ryan. The dormitory
and refeCtOry. which was completed last
year at a cost of about $3.50 600, was also
the product Of Mrs. Ryan's generosity. The
gymnasium is located Immediately to the
right OF the main building and is separated
from 1t only by the entrance road.
In style the building will conform to the
Older buildings, which are constructed after
the Romanesque type. 1t consists of one
main story with basement below and run
ming track above. the roof containing a
very large skylight. which, with the IN
usually large windows looking from the
main room. will give ample light and ven
tilauOn. The basement plan includes rooms
for the various varsity teams. for visiting,
baths and locker rooms medical directors
room, trophy room and chamber for the
athletic associations and directors meet
ings The main floor will he devoted ex-
Clusively 70 a modern and complete gymna-
Stun outfit. The faculty student body and
friends Of Georgetown College are taking
some Improvement which the builder, Mr.
John S. Larcombe. has finished to the point
o. the roof line. Mr.. Larcombe also con-
structed for Mrs Ryan the Convent of the
Perpetual Alteration V street northwest
near 18th street. The plans of the new
gymnasium were furnished by Ewing &
Chappell. New York architects.
New Construction.
Ground has been broken for the new stable
to be erected FOR Mr.. Albert C. Brooke on
1Tth street between and streets north
west. The structure viii be hreproof and
will cover an area Of ~ feet by ITO feet and
will be three stories in height The nth
street elevation Will be laid up with select
handmade red brick. laid in red mortar,
presenting an unusually attractive front for
a building OF this character. There viii be
two entrances on either side of the main
Office, the latter being located at the center.
The building VIII have eighty-fve stalls and
5000 square feet of floor surface for the
the only one Of It's kind in the District of
Columbia. There viii he an Office and inter-
communicating bath, with lockers for the
use of horseback riders. also coachmen
rooms. harness and carriage wash rooms,
elevator. electric light throughout and many
other accommodations. The building will be
known as the Portner stables because of it's
close proximity to the PortneT apartment
house. IL will cost $50 600. Mr.. oscar c..
Nogt is the architect.
The same architect. In connection with
Milton Dana morrill,. is preparing plans for
the proposed Masonic Temple at Manassas,
Va toward the building of which the late
Robert Portner of this city gave 5000 in his
will. The first floor viii be used stores