Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-16
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Signs of Spring Appear in the
Building Trades.
NEW HOUSES TO BE ERECTED
Beginning Made in Activity of Conn
ing Season.
MARKET FOR LARGE HOME LOTS
Requirements in Big Residences, Such
as Spacious Dining Rooms and
Quarters for Servants.
NEW HOUSES TO BE ERECTED
MARKET FOR LARGE HOME LOTS

II the building trades for the spring bust
ness OF course there is building going on
practically all winter, and some of the
branches of the building trades have no
complete let up from one end of the calen-
dar year 10 the other. Still there are times
during tine winter even in this latitude when
work out of doors is impossible. so that
buildings when they reach that stage come
to a halt if the weather conditions are I'M
favorable until these conditions change.
The chances of such delays are considered
by men who have such enterprises in pros
pect and they prefer to walt until the
weather is more settled and there is less
likelihood of stoppages on that account 1t
is for that reason the daily returns from
the building inspectors office furnish
pretty reliable guide of the opening of
spring in the real estate market.
Up To this time the developments are not
sufficient to form any adequate conclusion
as TO what the coming season is going to
be in respect to building operations. 1t is
still the general opinion. based on the
realty market condition. that considerable
is going To be done during the coming win
ter months. and especially in adding to the
number of houses. The demand for the lat
ter is of course, the main reason for the
belief that the building of houses is going
to be feature of the present season.
Houses to Be Built.
Isaac III. Bryant has arranged to build
three two-story houses al 502-5o6 Randolph
street, and one two-story house at 1882 9Th
street.
Kennedy & Davis. builders. are going to
erect for E C. Goodwin a three-story
house at 1865 Kalorama road 1t will be
colonial in design. occupying lot with
frontage of twenty-five feet. The house
will have depth of n ~ feet Will be three
stories in height and will contain ten
49, hot rba rnnt
will be built of colonial brick with stone of
a light shade.
Adjoining on the east Messrs Kennedy &
Davis will at the same time erect a house
for themselves. which will be of a style and
character suitable for the locality
For Office Uses.
Some changes of consequence have been
authorized by Jordan & Bloomer in their
properties at the northwest corner of 18Th
and G streets. The plans as prepared by B.
Stanley Simmons. architect, are intended to
unity three separate pieces of property oc-
cupying the corner, which has recently
been acquired by the firm.
The general idea is to make such altera-
tons in the existing building at the corner.
with a new addition occupying the vacant
ground to the west so that there will be
provision for stores on the first floor with
offices on the upper floors. The entrance
to the upper floors will be from G street.
Practically new building is being erect
ed on the west portion of the property.
known as 1903 g street. On the first floor
will be the offices of the real estate firm of
Jordan & Rloomer. while on the second
floor will be the offices of B. Stanley Sim
mons architect.
In Friendship Heights.
Out on the Tenleytown road beyond the
District line and about due west from the
Chevy Chase Circle is a fiourishing COM
u.bi is cd FriapdShin
Here Richard Ough is to begin at once the
erection OF seven houses. He designed the
houses. which are to be of frame in the
style which will be in harmony with the
setting of foliage and green lawns.
One of the houses will be larger than the
others and the cost. 1t Is estimated. will
reach $4,000 including, of course. the
ground. IL Is the intention of Mr.. Ough to
place the other houses on the market for
sale II about 5000 each.
A Concrete Block House.
Farther up the Tenleytown road to the
north is another suburban community hav-
ing the name of Drummond. Here a house
is being built by P. r. Thurston and the
material used Is concrete The blocks
forming the sides of the house are being
made by the contractor. Charles l. Grier
a short distance from the site of the new
house There is good deal of interest
shown in the new house. and one reason is
that il is the first concrete block building
In that section. 1t is estimated the cost is
about 500 less than pebble dash.
Demand for Large Residences.
Brokers and men who have to do with
real estate, especially In the sales depart
ment, find these opening days of spring are
busy times. Such is due to the number of
inquiries from people who are looking either
for houses for lots on which to build
houses. In this respect the realty business
at this time Is active and promising. But
far actual transactions are concerned
the situation is rather disappointing.
The announcements made in recent days
Of the purchase of building sites for large
residences have served to attract attention
10 that class of property as well as to
houses capable of providing the necessary
facilities for an elaborate mode of living.
1t is the experience of brokers that the de-
mand of the sort In question has not as
yet been fully met. There are people of
large means who are looking about with
the view of establishing homes here Some
of them want to buy land and build houses
and others are willing to take a house, II
one can be found to suit In location and in
arrangement.
Easier to Supply Building Site.
A number of brokers are finding their
time pretty well taken up in looking after
or trying to look after the needs of that
class of customers. 1t Is probable there
will be further additions this season to the
number of those who intend to build large
houses. To meet such demand 1t is easier
to find building sites than houses There
are, of course, difficulties to be met and OBJ
jectiorS to be overcome in attempting to do
either. But of the two II is probable
building site Is exposed to less criticism
from this class OF buyers, to which refer
ence is made. than when the property is al
ready improved.
The main thing, OF course, in a building
lot is its location, and then its dimensions.
and last OF all its price, unless the latter is
evidently away beyond prevailing market
values. In the case OF house all these
considerations figure, and in addition there
Is the arrangement of the rooms. On the
latter point IL Is rather difficult to secure
agreement when a house is to be built. and
OF course they are not lessened very much
when a house is to be bought.
Features of Modern Living.
The requirements change with the times
and social usages Just at present large
dining rooms seem to be the prime requi-
site in residences OF the largest type. Then
next in Importance. unless the style of lv-
ing is very elaborate, comes the accom-
mediation made for servants within the
house. The service of such a. household
requires a retinue of men and of maids.
and IL does not suit the mode of living
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