The San Francisco call., 1909-10-23
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
BEAUTIFUL HOMES
Larger Lots, Building Restric-
tiOns and Desirable Neigh
bOrhOod influence Buyers
By GEORGE F. LYON

the many hills affording magnificent
views. which can not be exceiled. This,
together with a fine climate and good
irainage, makes il possible for it to
become the great home city OF America
While we have such admirable To-
cations for homes. 1t is only within the
last few years that one could secure
q lot and erect a home with the as
sursnce that IL would not be injured
or ruined by the erection, adjacent to-
il, OF business building, high apart
ment house or something else equally
objectionable.
These who have recently laid out
the suburbs across the bay and down
the peninsula have been quick TO see
the advantages of having a restricted
subdivision. There they have num-
bers OF beautiful private parks and
places laid out by skilled landscape
gardeners with avenues lined with
charming houses. The subdivider of
blocks IN this city heretofore has only
looked to quick sales.
Il was long the custom when an
owner wished to dispose Of a large
holding TO grade the property in an
Indifferent manner. frequently without
any regard TO the official grades OF
the streets. throw some red rock on
the roadway and. the sidewalk, lay a
redwood curb; at last, as a finishing
touch. to build a rail fence around the
property and then whitewash ii. Then
the property was offered either at
auction or private sale in 25 foot lot
subdivisions and the purchaser could
erect a building OF any character he
might desire.
LOOKING ONLY TO PROFIT
While this manner OF subdividing
and disposing OF property was. no
doubt. profitable TO the owner. it GER
tainly did not add 10 the beauty of
the city. With the exceptions of
few localities the greater part of our
most desirable residence sections have
been laid out in that manner.
Thus, it is quite q common sight to
see an attractive house set back from
the street line. surrounded by a beau
tiful garden. spoiled for a residence
by having the sun and light shut of
from one side by high building Of
hsts or apartments, 20 say nothing OF
things far more Objectionable.
In fact. both the home builders and
the property owners of San Francisco
have been slow TO realize the. ad-
vantsges of home sites made more de-
sirable by larger lots. building re-
strictions and g select neighborhood.
Los Angeles, Oakland. Burlingame and
other places have been quicker so
realize the attraetiyeness OF a superior
subdivision. Outside OF Presidio ter
race at the present time there is no
private residential park in San Fran
cisco.
BAKERS BEACH TRACT
The nearest approach to it is the
Bakers beach tract on Thirty-second
avenue. north Of Lake street. Here
the lots have been cut UP IN not less
than 80 foot frontages. with building
restrictions imposed. The cutting up
OF this property into large lots has at
trscted q finer class of home build
ers and the property today is much bet
ter in appearance and In value than
any OF the surrounding land. by rea-
son Of the many artistic homes erected.
The owners Of the property report
that, whereas the sale OF the land
has been somewhat slower, than
r would have been in the old
way. the results are entirely satisfac-
tory, as nearly all OF the lots have
been sold and the remaining lots are
sauch more attractive than they would
have been under the old system.
There is another residential park
scheme under way. In fact, the own
ers Of the land have been working on
II for nearly a year. The piece re-
ferred 10 is the land commonly known 1
as the Bunker property, which COM
prises some 50 extra lots north of Lake
street, running back TO the Presidio
wall between Twenty and
Twenty-fourth avenues.
A very large sum OF money is being
expended in the development Of this
land. The improvements contem-
plated include bitumInized roadways,
stone walks. garden spots and parks
throughout the tracr, the elimination
OF al front fences and the erection Of
classic entrance gates of stone. Great
pains are being taken In the manner
OF subdivision. the idea being to give
BE obstructed.
PROPERTY OWNERS INTERESTED
The Development or this property |
has caused a stir in this section of the |
city. The land itself has always been /
noted for it's most magnificent and IN
obstructed view OF the Golden gate.
Pacific ocean and San Francisco bay. |
Lying as IL does on the cliffs of the \
worlds famous Golden gate, with the
proper care in cutting up and build
ing restrictions to preserve the view,
il is safe TO predict splendid future |
for this spot.
The owners Of land adjacent to this !
tract have become enthusiastic over |
the prospects for q rapid d~development |
of not only their land values. but in |
their convenienceE. They have formed |
an Improvement club and have sue
ceeded in fastening the development 1
Of the section very materially by signt |
ing UP for vast amount Of Street 1
work BY street work is meant not |
common macadam. but bituminizedl
streets and stone walks.
Among the streets so bituminized or |
about TO be finished. Lake street might
be mentioned as thf most important. /
This thoroughfare, connecting Preside /
no1r