Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Notable Addition to the City's
House Architecture.
MRS. HITS RESIDENCE
Sandstone Period in Erection of
Government Buildings.
ORIGINAL STRUCTURES LEFT
Various Matters of Interest in the
Current Happenings in the Buy
ing and Selling of Realty.
ORIGINAL STRUCTURES LEFT

The erection by Mrs. Hit of a residence
on Dupont Circle, which has just been
begun. will leave only one unoccupied
building site fronting on that circle. That
is the ground where what was popularity
known as Stewart Castle once stood
Soon after ex-senator Clark acquired
this property he had the old house re-
moved. It was in a dilapdated condi
ton. Since then he has done nothing
further 20 improve the lot.
OPPOSITE this property on Connecticut
avenue at the point of the triangular
space is building which is Used now. as
II has been for number of years past.
for business purposes. Still to the east
and on the space formed by the juncture
of New Hampshire avenue anC 10Th street
with the circle is the residence of Mrs.
Letter, now distinguished among the fine
homes of the city, with its handsome set
ting of foliage. flowers and shrubbery.
There is something wonderfully strik
ing in the treatment OF the rather limited
space that was left when the house was
built in the way in which the lawn IS
given q maSsed background of foliage
and the rather hard outlines of the brick
sides of the house softened by climbing
vines and graceful shrubbery. The effect
is beautiful and artistic.
s. Spacious Building.
Somewhat similar effects are seen in
TIE adornment of the spaces about the
residences of Mrs. Townsend and of Mr..
Larz Anderson.
But 10 return to Dupont Circle and the
corner opposite from the Letter house.
where is the site which is being built
the house for Mrs. Hit. 1t is a large
piece of ground residence lots in this
city go. and has ample f Jntage on both
New Hampshire avenue ard the circle. 1t
adOins the large residence of Robert
Patterson. which occupies the northeast
conner of Dupont Circle and p street.
On the same square is the spacious home
of the Boardmans. while across z street
and filing up the triangular space be-
tween Massachusetts avenue and street
is the home OF Mr.. WadSworth.
A. far the material that is TO be
used II the construction of the Hit house
is concerned, the new structure will har
monte with the general color scheme of
tie neighborlng houses. All have been
erected within the period when red brick
and brown stone ceased to be looked
upon as the Only proper material for the
construction of house of large size.
Nowadays. perhaps. II may be considered
that the red brick is too much neglected
for various varieties brick that are being
made III all sorts and shades of color. 1t
is recognized that some of the most sue
CeSsfUl and pleasing examples of domestic
architecture to be found in this city are
expressed in red brick and stone.
English Style of Architecture.
Al any rate. stone and brick of light
shade are now more commonly used in
houses. and for the Hit house limestone
has been adopted by Mr. Pope. the archi-
tect.
TIE design. however. Will add a new
example - the already large and varied
assortment OF house styles which are to
be seen in tits city. IL is 10 be form
that is found quite largely in England.
The facade. which is 10 cover width
of some eiShty-tive feet and rise to the
height % four stories, IS TO be without
projection. The main entrance will be by
driveway from New Hampshire avenue.
although the front Will be both on that
thoroughfare and on the circle.
The trst iOor Will be what is archi-
tectura.N known as a basement. while
the principal floor above will be dis
tingulsned 10y range Of tail windows
Al the top Of each window there VIII be
carving. while on each side of the central
windows Over the main entrance will be
carved medalions.
The Use of Ornament.
\ line of carving in the form Of a
Greek f! eZe will mark the separation OF
the first and second floors. The third floor
will have range of comparatively low
windows. While above the cornice will be
a balustrade OF stone, behind which viii:
be tse windows Of the fourth floor. pierre
ing the roof.
Their Viii be rooms on each side OF the
entrance hall or lobby. which is circular
i'll shape. These rooms can be made
available on social occasions for guests
to lay aside their wraps. From these
rooms and also we'll as from the en-
trance lobby access will be had TO the
hall, where the double staircase of mar
BILE and iron. lighted by tall windows on
the east side of the house. leads to the
main hall on the principal floor, which
runs north and south and ends in its long
sweep at the dining room, on the one side
and the living room on the other. Be-
tween these two rooms and completing
the suite along the entire front of the
house VIII be a reception room.
In the library. which will be on the
south side OF the hall on the ground floor.
there Will be d wainscoting of wood. but