Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-14

expectations formed about it several years
| ago. 1t is quite evident that the wedge OF
land between Pennsylvania avenue on the
south and New York avenue along q
portion at least Of it's northern boundary
and between 7th and 18th streets IL
gradually becoming busy center.
Now, the point is. what will be the direc.
ton of the future growth? Is it to be
along H street to Connecticut avenue or
leaving H street east of Vermont avenue
on account of Lafayette Park, will the
future development into business uses go
to the north and the west of 14th street
along I and K streets? Apparently the in
PREVENTION of a block facing park does
not count in such a movement, II what is
happening on 18th street fronting Frank
lin square means that the progress up l4th
street is not going to be uninterrupted.
A Park No Bar.
II such thing can be done on 14th
street there seems to be no reason why
it cannot also be done on H street 'front.'
ing Lafayette Park. although in the latter
instance the park frontage is two squares
instead of only one. as is the case with
Franklin Square. If Lafayette Square
does not prove to be bar it may be ex-
pected that the course of business devel-
opment will 90 west along that street
until it Joins Connecticut avenue, where
| such change has been made for some
time past.
1t may also be reasonably expected that
property Immediately to the north of H
street will feel the influence of such a
change. No doubt something of the sort
was in the mind Of Senator Proctor when
ne began his series of investments there.
At any rate all this locality, from the
mere fact of proximity % the business
center. will be affected.
Building for February.
While the building depression incident
to the recent currency stringency, which
shortened the supply of money for build
ing operations and also developed a
waiting policy still continues there is an
improvement in some quarters, which con-
tains much of encouragement. Official
reports from some fifty cities received by
the American Contractor. New York, and
tabulated. show total falling of Of 80
per cent. or practically One-third. as COM
pared with the operations Of February,
1907 The loss. amounting to about S14,-
GOO 600 Is nearly accounted for In the de-
crease in New York and San Francisco,
amounting to more than $12.O0O,00O.
Last month the reports showed gain
in nine cities. and those below indicate
gain in sixteen cities. This is an en-
couraging indication. the gains being
widely distributed. Chicago holds up re-
markably, showing gain of 8 per cent,
while the total value of permits issued is
but little more than million dollars less
than those issued in Greater New York.
New Masonic Temple.
The progress in the erection Of the Ma
sonic Temple at the intersection of New
under the daily observation Of a large
number of people. owing to the promi-
nence of the location. 1t commands the
he vs<A of
the thoroughfares mentioned and owing
to the course of H street an unobstructed
view of the building can be had from a
long distance in that direction.
At present the steel frame OF the struc-
ture looms up like great piece of lattice
work. but the process of putting in the
screen of masonry, as the outer walls in
such buildings are termed, is going on and
in short time the full architectural eff
feet of the new building will be in evil
dence. In addition to the accommodation
that will be provided in this lofty building
for the various lodges of Masons the first
floor, with entrances on a level with the
streets and ample openings directly on
these thoroughfares, will be arranged for
use as a hall and in this way want in
this city will be supplied.
For Suburban Homes.
An opportunity to secure building sites
and homes in an attractive section of the
suburbs is offered in the property which
is being placed on the market by the Alta
Park Realty Company. 1t is known as
Alta Park and lies about midway be-
tween Washington and Rockville and ex-
tends for more than half mile on the
Tenleytown and Rockville electric road.
The ground Is high, hence the name, and
the view commands the rolling country,
which constitutes one OF the charms of
that we'll known portion of the suburbs,
with the mountains in the distance. There
are no streets in this park less than thirty
feet in width from curb to curb and the
pavements are ten feet wide. and in ad-
dition the building restrictions require the
houses to be sat back not less than
twenty feet from the pavement line,
which leaves clear space of ninety feet
between houses.
In this particular one of the most i'm
portant features of the justly celebrated
plan of Washington has been preserved
in this new addition. and In harmony with
this spacious treatment the smallest lots
are one hundred feet in front, while
there are many acre and half-acre plots
and several villa sites of two. five and ten
acres each. modern plan Of sewerage
has been adopted. and there is an excel
lent supply of water and fine natural
drainage.
A Current Demand.
Now that we are i'm the midst Of the
dull renting season. as a real estate
agent put IL the other day when / went
out hunting for A small apartment, It
seems to me that the local builders might
profitably busy themselves with the con-
struction of an apartment house contain
ing small suites located in a central por
ton of the city" Thus spoke young
man in the Office of one Of the local real
estate operators the other day. He had.
he said been DESTROYS OF locating in the
downtown section of Washington. but
was unable TO find a desirable place OF
abode. There We're. he said, but few