Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-25
HOME MADE SPACIOUS
Many Changes in a Dupont
Circle Residence.
PLANNED For SOCIAL USES
Curious Notion About Treatment Of
Old Buildings.
NOT ENTIRELY DEMOLISHED
Action Taken AZ Regards the Resi-
PLANNED For SOCIAL USES
NOT ENTIRELY DEMOLISHED
Action Taken az Regards the Resi-
dences of John 3. Mclean
and Mrs. Townsend.

The residence Of Edison Bradley on
Connecticut avenue and fronting Dupont
Circle on the south is an example Of an
old house that has been so changed and
enlarged that it is difacult to recognize
much Of the original form. When Mr..
Bradley bought the property a year ago
1T had the appearance that 1t had worn
for many years. as q type Of domestic
architecture common several years ago
in this country, especially during the
period when the mansard roof was in
vogue.
With the wide frontage on Connecti-
cut avenue. the main entrance was in
the center Of the house, with rooms on
each side. and the treatment Of the red
brick walls was as conventional as that
Of the entire scheme Of the building.
When Mr.. Bradley bought the property
he decided to make use Of a portion Of
the lawn space on the south side and
gallery. He decided to change the entire
style of the house. and with the en-
larged frontage on the avenue which the
addition gives and the change In the
epeninss what s viii iii BE- g reeos e as
pleasing example Of the French chateau
style Of architecture has been produced.
A Spacious Interior.
Now the main entrance is through a
driveway which passes beneath the arst
story Of the house. through to 10th street.
on which the property has the same
frontage throughout as it has on Con-
necticut avenue. In the interior the old
partitions and divisions have been disre-
garded when 1t was desirable to do so,
and In this way q main floor IL secured
that for sweep and extent appeals to
those who look on house interiors from
somewhat the viewpoint of their use on
social occasions.
From both the architectural standpoint
and that Of the uses for modern life 1t
will no doubt be recognized that the
changes made are decided improvements.
AS q rule the attempt to turn an old
building to new uses Is apt to be disap-
dence 1t II found that 1t Is neither a new
nor an old building. but a rather unsat-
isfactory combination. The experience in
such matters seams to point to the con-
clusion that the most satisfactory mode Of
treatment in such cases and also general
ly the cheapest is to tear down the old
structure and start free from the founda-
tons
Regarded a. svpsrstitious.
But this is not always done and there
are various motives which influence own
ers in remodeling instead Of building
anew. Perhaps the strangest. at least 1t
has the sound is the feeling that 1t 10 not
lucky to put up an entirely new building,
especially one that is intended for use
as the home Of the owner. This super
stitien is strong enough to lead people to
avoid the building OF an entirely new
house At considerable additional expense.
Even in cases where 1t can be demon
strated nat 1t would be much cheaper to
pull down the existing structure before
attempting to carry out the new plans
people have refused to do so. which is
evidence that such q motive Is powerful
enough to reach the pocketbook. and that
Is saying a good deal.
1t is not meant to be inferred that such