Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-10
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Inquiry for Suburban Property
a Market Feature.
ACREAGE TRACTS WANTED
Influence of the New Railroad Depot
on Values.
A VERY WIDE AREA EFFECTED
Some of the Current Happenings as
Showing the Tendency of the
Changes Taking Place.
A VERY WIDE AREA EFFECTED

1t is not exactly ''the call of the Wild"
but at this season of the year there are apt
to be the beginnings at any rate Of a feel
ing of discomfort with the streets of the
city. and the urban sights and sounds, and
to have thoughts about the country. There
are evidences of this feeling every year
in the offices of real estate brokers, which
are regarded as sure harbingers of spring,
the same note of the song bird or the
budding of vegetation. Inquiries are al
ready being made in regard to country
property, and while Washington has grown
greatly beyond its original bounds there
Is outlying land left that remains In acres
and can be bought and sold that way.
1t may be necessary to go somewhat far
Their cut before acreage property is found,
but relatively, when the speed of the trolley
IS compared with the horse cars. the dis
lance is about the same. A half hour on
modern street railway is the equivalent of
a good many miles when the time Is ex-
pressed in that way. so that the question is
no longer heard of how far, but how long.
Homes in the Country.
Out the Rockville way, which is only one
OF the suburban districts about the city,
there has been quite good deal done with
the property of the Bethesda Land Com
pany, of which Mr.. j. Hite Miller is the
agent. During the past week Mr.. Miller
sold to Mr.. Morris i. Croxall a tract of
ten and three-quarter acres on the Rock
vile road 1t lies opposite the residence OF
the late General Whiteside. 1t is the in
tention of the purchaser to build home
there for his own use.
In the same subdivision of the Bethesda
Land Company MIR. Miller recently sold to
Mr.. william r. Mclean lot of land on
which he will erect a house. Another pur-
chaser is Mr.. Ludlum, who will also build
Active building operations on residences
have already been begun by Mr.. Mahlon
Austin and Mr. Louis Keiser. An addition,
which will practically make q new house,
is to be made to the residence of Mr. John
Joy Edison.
On the Virginia Side.
There is promise of a great deal that will
be done this year in the Improvement of
property on the Virginia side of the Poto-
mac near the entrance to the Aqueduct
bridge and farther to the north The com
pletion of the electric road northward along
that side of the river, of course, is the main
influence in this proposed activity, for with
out the means of reaching the city rapidly
and with comfort there would not be much
hope of inducing people to make their
homes on that side of the river.
With the railroad, which is to transport
people from any point in Alexandria coun-
ty for ticket which is sold at the rate OF
six for quarter and which entities the
holder to a transfer on the Capital Irac-
ton cars to any point in the city reached
by those cars, 1t is thought that conditions
Of living In that locality will appeal to a
greater number of people than ever AT
any rate that is the theory upon which Mr..
Colin H. livingston is proceeding in carry
ing out plans for the development of prop
erty along the line of that road. He and
those associated with him have arranged
to do a good deal in that way during the
coming summer.
Water and Pavements.
The property, which is known as Rosslyn,
and which lies on the brow of the hill at
the Aqueduct bridge. is to be laid out in
lots, streets to be macadmized, a
water supply is to be furnished and the
facilities which are needed in modern life
are to be supplied. 1t is the intention to
make a modern settlement there and by
keeping the prices of land within reason 1t
will be possible for those of limited means
to establish homes there for themselves.
Farther along the railroad Is a piece OF
property which is called Livingston Heights,
and here the company controlling it has
determined upon the expenditure of a large-I
sum of money during the coming season.
There is to be a water supply provided.
the streets are to be macadamiZed, side
walks are to laid and other improve
ments are to be added, which are common
ly found about the homes OF people who
like to live in some sort of comfort.
In the Business Section.
There seems to be an impression that the
establishing of such center as the new
union depot is going to be will have an
influence property in that locality. In
fact, the word locality hardly expresses
the area of influence of such a center, at
least, judging from the attitude of prop
erty owners or OF those who are in the
market to buy 1t extends. for blocks and
n oiru n Ca6 lnront arldt
seems to run along what are looked upon
as the main thoroushfares of approach to
the station.
1t is known to reach as far west as 10Th
street, and those who are accustomed TO
appraise the value of property have taken
into consideration the effect which the
location Of the station some fourteen blocks
to the east would have on values in the
vicinity of New York avenue and 14th
street. 1t is thought that the immediate
locality of the new depot, and more es-
pecially that portion to the west or in the
direction of the main location of the popula-
ton, or perhaps it would be more correct
to say the center of business is going to
be favorably Influenced by the railroad
travel into the city at this point.
Influence of Depot Site
Still. 1t is felt that stated practically
all the main lines leading to the new depot
are going to be benefited, as the street rail-
roads viii still continue to be the means
used by the bulk OF people In going to and
coming from all parts of the city to the
new depot, 1t ts believed that the fact that
street which is thoroughfare between
two points of Importance is going to be a
valuable consideration from business
standpoint.
At any rate, the present market rates
OF property in the entire region extending
from the new depot site to the west and
to the north with a widening area show
the influence of what are believed to be
pending changes. Theroughfares like +
and G. and II streets, which lead to the
depot open into New Jersey avenue to
say nothing of New York avenue, for at
least a part of its course toward that point
are all regarded having a future which
is likely TO be affected by the changes
which the depot is to bring about.
Business Instead of Residences