Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10

9TH Street Northwest, Between Kilbt
continue to be the case for a year or two
yet. as 1t will take that time before all the
large undertakings now under way are COM
pleted.
The number Of such enterprises is- ,un-
usually large, 50 that with the falling off in
the amount of general building the work
on the large structures that are being erect
ed here by the government Is going to keep
current operations up to and perhaps above
the normal point. "a
An Unusual Activity. ..,,..
1t is not surprising that halt should
come IN building operations in this city, for
during the past year or so the volume Of
such work reached proportions never be-
fore attained here. In that particular this
city shared in the general conditions
throughout the country and now that the
returns show a falling of In other places In
the amount of new building. 1t would be
unexpected If Washington should be an ex-
ception to the general rule
The cost of building has undoubtedly had
some influence in bringing about this slack
ening up in activity, but 1t may be said
that the cause in general lies In the great
amount that has been done in a compare
lively short time, so that 1t may be con-
cluded that the present Is a sort of breath
ing spell to enable the market to fill its
lungs for another squirt.
Residence Of MI. Keep.
During the week permit was issued for
the erection of a house which Is to be built
for Mr.. F. A. Keep at 2251 r street north
west. The location, on the north side of r
street overlooking Sheridan Circle, Is an at
tractive one. and the house. which Is to be
large one. has been designed in the
tects The material used in the exterior
will be brick of a light shade and white
limestone. The house will be three stories
in height, and will contain about eighteen
rooms.
On the basement floor there will be a
smoking room, the kitchen, laundry and
other service rooms. The main floor will
contain the drawing, dining and reception
rooms, with a large stair hall and grand
staircase. The second floor will have a
morning room and two large bed rooms,
and on the top floor will be four guest
rooms and the servant rooms. The con-
tract for construction has been awarded
to John McGregor.
General Building Conditions.
The upturn has come. building operations
in the principal cities for October showing
a gain over the corresponding month year
ago. According to official reports to Con-
struction News. permits were taken out in
thirty-eight of the leading cities during Oc-
tober for II, $40 buildings, involving total
cost of $42O74,S17, against II $3.50 buildings
at an estimated cost of S4O,6S2,970 for the
same period year ago, an increase of ], 166
buildings and 81 ,391, S47 or per cent.
The most conspicuous features Of the sit
uation are the heavy decrease in New York
city and the remarkable activity in the
Pacific coast cities. The prosperous cities
of the middle states continue to make a
very satisfactory showing. In New York
city permits were taken out this October
for 343 buildings, to cost s.. 419,935 against
2s9 buildings, involving 5000. 100. an In
Of hrfi1 inc md GO
of s., 21O, 255, or 80 per cent.
The coast cities are making remarkable
showing and it is to be regretted that the
figures for Spokane are missing. The con-
dition on the coast is abundantly Illus
trated by the figures for Seattle, where
during the month just closed permits were
taken out for S32 buildings, involving a to-
tai cost Of s., 929, SI9, against 6S8 buildings
involving an aggregate cost of 1913, 544 for
the corresponding month q year ago, an In
crease of 40 per cent.
Tacoma shows an increase of 40 per
cent, Portland 124, and Los Angeles 49, OF
the thirty-eight cities there were gains In
twenty-three and losses in fifteen. Chicago.
which for q month or two prior to October
showed a falling off because of the tre-
mendous activity year ago. Is again on
cent.
A View Of the Market.
The Moore G Hill Company reports 1.-THE
first ten days Of November. In point of
business, among the best in the history
of that corporation. Included IN the sales
Is that OF the Winton and Stanley apart
ment houses on Columbia Heights. The
realty transactions have been confined to
no particular class Of property, the buying
having been quite general. homes and In
vestments having the call In even proper
ton. New houses or those erected during
the past season, and especially those In
the outlying sections. including Columbia
Heights and Bloomingdale. make up a con-
siderable part Of the sales.
'aThe demand for investment property, a
noticeable feature Of the year. continues,
ready sales being made Of good renting
houses and flats and of property promising
future speculation. The class buying these
properties Is made up Of those In all walks
of life, not a few Of the buyers being gov
eminent clerks who are placing their saw
ings in productive realty.
The sale Of houses on what Is often
termed the 'easy-payment plan Is growing.
the number of those who have been ten
ants who are making application for prop
critics and buying them being steadily on
the increase"