Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE
Capital City Becoming More
and More Cosmopolitan.
FOLLOWING CLASSIC IDEALS
Marked Activity in Building Trades
During Past Year.
MANY NOTABLE STRUCTURES
Mention Of Fine New Residences
Statement Of Conditions by As
sistant Building Inspector.
FOLLOWING CLASSIC IDEALS
MANY NOTABLE STRUCTURES

Cosmopolitan, in the accepted sense OF
the term, the capital city with each sue
ceeding year is becoming more and more
cosmopolitan in the styles of its residences
and its public and private buildings, as the
architectural ideas Of other countries and
ages are finding expression in the erection
Of modern edifces.-
In fact, a great majority Of close OBJ
servers are agreed that the following Of
classical ideals in design. combined with
modern improvements In construction form
one common agency, which Is making only
for good in the new buildings Of Washing
ton. The architects are doing their part
toward the Greater Washington, and their
efforts are also calculated to further the
movement for the city beautiful.
The past year has seen marked activity
in the building trades, and many notable
structures are nearing completion and are
in the transitory stage. when only close
study of the plans of the architects can
give ideas of the symmetry Of iron and
| wood and stone yet to be evolved. Carrying
out explanation of the cosmopolitanism,
which is being manifested in building de-
signs, one local authority has stated that
the new college and school buildings here,
as elsewhere, are almost invariably being
constructed on English or 1ndo-Got,nc
lines. One excellent reason for this is self
evident when it is realized that grouping
of windows means ample light for school
rooms and study halls.
Among the productions of local architects
there are said to be many excellent ex-
amples of the Spanish-Misson style, and,
to be in keeping with the residential section
where 1t will be located, the new fire engine
house on Columbia Heights is to be built
after that school.
firn ocfH aP ho
city which lend materially to the archi-
tectural cosmopolitanism of the times may
be mentioned the French chateau of Hayes
Hammond, the magnificent pile of Larz
Anderson, In the Italian renaissance; Perry
Belmont's new home, in the style Of the
French renaissance; the Italian-Florentine,
or Venetian, dwelling built by ex-senator
Henderson and leased to Secretary Straus,
and several others which more closely ap-
proximate the accepted Spanish ideals. The
plans for the new French embassy, which
is in course of erection, show that it will
be a notable structure, and appropriately
after the style of the French renaissance.
From Practical Experience.
Probably no official Of the District gov
eminent Is in closer touch with the archi-
tectural advancement of Greater Washing
ton than Mr.. A. M. Poynton, who in his
position in the building department, re-
views and passes on all drawings for build
lnSS Oh Whatever character proposed Tor
erection in the District. Speaking from his
practical experience as architect, Mr..
Poynton has expressed the opinion that
the large buildings recently erected and
now in course Of construction depict the
highest skill and thought of the profession.
He says, too, that these structures are q
wonderful power not only in making Wash
ington a beautiful city, but also a great
stimulant to better designing in smaller
structures.
His official duties as deputy building in
spector keep Mr.. Poynton especially well
informed as to the trend Of municipal i'm
provements, and he said recently that all
sections Of the city are being benefited by
the consideration Of better classes of build
ings. He takes an original view of the at
traction possessed by the massive piles
erected at various points in the city for
housing the government departments. call
ing attention to the fact that great ma
jority of the large office and bank build
ings are grouped In proximity to them.
These illustrations of private enterprise
do not detract from the general classic
effect Of the structures Of the United
States said he, but rather accentuate
it by the contrast
landmarks of the capital city, some of
which have made their appearance during
the past few years, and others are yet
shining in spick- and-span newness or are
nearing completion, Mr.. Poynton said:
The beautifully classic buildings now
being constructed for the House and Sen
ate offices tend to emphasize the more
stately Capitol, which is classed as one
of the best examples of Corinthian archi-
lecture. Northeast Washington can point
with great pride to the new union station,
which, when it's plaza and approaches are
completed, will form vantage point from
which to illustrate the greatness Of the
Capitol to all incoming visitors and tourists.
Still further east the large power plant,
nearing completion, on the banks OF the
Eastern branch, marks an era for advanced
construction ideas in its class. The marine
barracks have been greatly improved by
modern structures replacing the old white
washed buildings which formed the quad
rangle.
In Southwest Section.
'In the southwest section Of the city the
new Department of Agriculture is nearing
completion and the group of buildings for
the War College has changed entirely the
former unsightliness Of the arsenal grounds.
These buildings also are especially inter-
esting to the student Of concrete and tile
construction In the northwest the new
Municipal building will be studied with
great interest and will rank as a good OK
ample Of classic architecture, which is the
predominant style for all government build
ings. The large banks and office buildings
usually incline to the more decorative
>Corinthian order.
when the old sandstone work on the
18th street facade of the Treasury building
is replaced with granite in the near future
that stately structure will not suffer by
comparison with the new Citizens National
Bank on the opposite side Of the street.
Riggs Bank and the American Security
and Trust building form a At setting for
the north end of the treasury. The Ma
tional Safe Deposit building has been re-
modelled and architecturally enriched. The
Hibbs building will tower above the
swartzell. Rheem and Hensey building, and
yet the bold architectural treatment of the
latter will easily Offset the apparent handi-
cap of SIZE Opposite the two the Union
Trust building is near completion, and it
seems to cast a shadow which makes old
st. Matthews Church appear even more
ancient and dilapidated than it is.
THE Ouray building opposite the patent
office, does not detract from the pure Doric
lines Of that building. but stands out in its
own richness. The Merchants and
Mechanics Bank will occupy q conspicuous
place upon nearby corner.
Among the apartment houses there are
many examples of what might be termed
modern American architecture-where the
great orders have been modified to suit
noia nf y,fiI nd haal