The sun., 1909-02-07
RE REAL ESTATE MARKET
ann CHANGES LOOKED FOR
~ THE NEW CODE.
.,, ,nrormatlon rs Has Leaked Out Con.
cy-..,s the Proposed Building Law
u,. led Tie Allled Real Estate in-
,.r,Us to Cali Protective Meeting.

a,..,,x the Proposed Building Law
u,, led the Alled Real Estate IN.
,,r,Us TO Cali Protective MoetinE
,r,e lraC, codo prepared by the Building
,,I, pcyision Commission will probably
,o,,rrd 10 the BourC oi Aldermen
Tpnsdav Of this wee.;. The report
'ouai,el bv real estate interests with a
aJ d.,l q, misgiving. The only official
'~,,,,surnt that has been made con-
...,,ry the contents OF the new code
,otcr.nce 10 certain clauses restricting
ho hciqh, Of buildings. The restriction
..rLsar ronplete change in the traditional
',,icv If the city with respect TO business
,onsir,ctions. " il becomes law IL will
,rIo,b,cllv produce Il widespread read
rs,r,,nt Of rents and freehold values.
Tho alarrn created by the announcement
= this feature Of the draft code was
usmented recently when II was learned
,n,r semi-official sources that the COM
mission purposes also to abolish the
4, story semi-fireproof apartment house.
ia inferred from this proposition that
h. aim of the commission is to restrict
,op.dr,ur1o; construction OF all classes
,sreafter % five stories. II had generally
,.en supposed that the work OF revision
,onld be confined TO the building code.
rhe tenement house act was thought to
MI outside the commissions jurisdiction,
MI the commission has evidently con-
luded otherwise and appears willing to
ring its authority to the test.
OF course if the commission succeeds
n its proposed modification OF the tone
nent house act readjustment OF rents
md freehold values must necessarily
AXE place in residence as we'll as in
BUSINESS property. In addition TO the
Ystrctions as 10 height placed on fire.
roof business buildings the height Of
emi.fireproof business buildings will be
ar down from seven stories to five.
she the height Of semi-freproof apart
ment houses will be reduced from six
,tories to five. These changes, IL ac-
epted, will, it is believed. prohibit on
economic grounds the use Of passenger
Elevators in both mercantile and apart
nent buildings Of non-fireproof construc-
ion.
Fireproof construction being costly,
ents in hreproof buildings are corre-
.pondngly high. Al present there Is an
Intermediate grade of moderate priced
lousng between the "walkup" fGt or
business building and the elevator apart
nent or business structure. G. grade " hich
'epreseEts a large annual investment of
,aptal in new building operation. The
.fect Of abolshing this grade OF housing
sill unquestionably be Injurious not only
o property interests but TO the public
lealth However desirable it may be TO
make this e @fireproof" town, the SUBJ
titltion OF stxir climbing for elevator
in middle cless housing is
q I've condemned on sanitary as well Is
grounds.
fGr ~. il is said. the new codc pro-
-ld-, TO- e. rsdicc' change in the interior |
ILHning OF department stores and other
u u ,vss hot siIgs that now usa extensive I,
pa moor spaces. The area Of un-
.Nlccd tioo.s wiz, according 10 report, |
. limited to 5000 square feet in hui. d. !
hgs with "a single street frontage; 10 |
.jIJ 5ql are feet where tho frontage is !
- ,wo streets, and to lO.GOO ii three streets /
H. inc.Ldod IN the frontage. These .
.el, may be increased 50 per cent IL |
utoiratic firepoof sprinklers are in
IA ed In other words. the largest open
loor spaces. undivided 10y freproof parti-
lons which the commission will pc
mt IN. say, a department store erected
lereGiter IL 1905 square feet, or the
'pIiSa ent of srN lots.
This restriction IL certain to be opposed
y retail merchants ina large way OF
who C,aim that partition walls
vii prevent free movement of the great
'roVds Of shoppers that congregate In
noda"n stores; s,ich stores are now safe
ya-ded by elaborate fire protection APP
lll4nc"s ard emp.oy numerous BODY
4 Watchmen. Whatever the merits of
he proposal To limit open floor spaces.
Is Importance 10 mercantile interests
: oi the first order
The radical nature Of the provisions
Mentioned IN the foregoing has led real
stale men generally to expect other
lotdole departures from present standards
u building ln order 10 make sure of
fnll and competent consideration OF the
lew code q meeting has been called by
he Allied Real Estate Interests for TO-
morrow m III" City Investing Building 1
I which easur"S will be taken Tor u
horolgh study OF the draft after it has
een resented To the Board OF Aldermen
Is iInder>l Oud that resolutions will tc
resented a. the meeting to obtsin an
llWrtiOn II necessary "a inst any modi-
cdtloh of the tenement house act.