Evening star., 1908-12-12


of Connecticut avenue and kalorama
avenue which is under consideration as
the site for large apartment house, is
practically unimproved. as the frame
dwelling which stands about in the cen
ter of the lot cannot be considered as
having any value.
The ground, which has wide frontases
on both thoroughfares. contains about
10000 square feet. and it is said that the
consideration mentioned in the agreement
for the purchase by Harry Wardman
$4,000, which is at the rate of a little
more than $3.50 per square foot. Some
of the property holders in the vicinity eX-
press uneasiness at the thought of an
apartment house on that corner, as they
appear to be of the opinion that proXim-
ity to a structure seven stories in height
and correspondingly large in area is not
calculated to improve the value of the
land in the vicinity.
Objections to Big Buildings.
There has been nothing done thus far
to carry out such project, except, it is
said. an understanding has been reached
in regard to the terms for the purchase
of the property. But it is not unusual
that objections should. be made to an
Improvement of such a character, for,
while apartment houses are common in
this city, of all sizes and in all sections,
still they are not always considered de-
sirable neighbors.
The maximum height on residence
streets allowed such structures is seven
Stories which IS moderate when COM
pared with the regulations in other cities.
But here the residents are not used to
the canyon style Of street. walled by
great masses Of brick and stone. and take
ffrV. h0r
direction crops out.
Among those interested in property
along Connecticut avenue, just to the
north Of the new bridge. there Is an inn
preston that ultimately the large tract
of land at the southwest corner of the
avenue and Woodley road will become the
site of an apartment house. This prop
erty, II announced some time ago,
was purchased by Harry Wardman. and
it was also said at the time 1t was his
purpose to erect there a residence for his
own use. However. as stated. there is an
idea abroad that an apartment house OF
large design is to go there.
Another apartment house scheme which
has been spoken of. and which is now
said to be abandoned, was the location
of a such a structure on the triangular
shaped lot at the intersection of Connec-
ticut avenue and 18th street, where the
Emory house now stands.
Market for Lots.
of the current phases of the market an
inquiry for building sites. Many of those
in search of property of the sort have
found what they were after and now they
are preparing 10 build. 1t may be said
in this respect great change is noted
when the condition OF things as they eX-
listed a year or so ago Is recalled.
1t is not claimed such demand is gem
eral and applies to all classes of unim-
suburban, II may be said that the aver
age man. or woman either. in search of a
home prefers TO buy one ready made
rather than to choose lot and build.
Houses Of Larger Type.
1t is asserted that such a preference
has its origin more in the cheapness Of
buying as compared with building houses
than in anything else, and no doubt that
has a good deal to do with the enlarge
ment of the market for houses for sale.
At the same time persons who want
homes Of the larger class prefer to build
from the plans prepared according to
their own notions. In fact. 1t is seldom
that dwelling OF this character is built
primarily for the sale market, and hence
the supply is mostly from those who want
10 dispose of their homes.
This class of house, costing from $4,000
up. just now seems to be a specially. On
that account there is a call for eligible
building sites. and II is in complying with
this demand that causes good deal of
the current activity in the realty market.
II appears there are quite number of
persons who want to build homes here
and are now looking for places to locate
them.
Increase in Building.
Sales of this kind have already been
made and others are in course of nego-
tiation. and it seems probable the com
ing season for building will witness the
addition of quite number of houses OF
tho larger type. While unimproved props
erty OF the sort is experiencing revival
in interest. which is quite cheering to
the owners of property which had been
neglected for a long time. the market
generally has not changed to any extent
1t IL seldom nowadays that lots are
bought on speculation Purchasers have
building scheme of some sort in mind
before they acquire the land. and when
the condition Is reversed it is found as
rule. that in order to bring property y
into the market its character must be
changed from unimproved to improved
However. the absence of speculative buy
ers for lots has been amply made up by
the presence in numbers. which have new
er before been equaled. OF the speculative
builder 1t is through the enterprise and
the ventures OF the latter that II has been
possible to meet the extraordinary dc
rnand for houses and apartments which
has been the notable feature in recent