The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-09

With but a scarce 10 per cent increase
IN volume over the record for the CORE
spending period of the previous year, II,
first week of October in washington
realty transactions certainly cannot be
considered impressive. In former years
October has generally seen extensive
building operations under way and nu-
merous sales of city and suburban lots
made. This year, however. even the ef.
forts of the army Of brokers that repre-.
sent the selling forces IL Washington
have been unable 10 bring more than
mediocre results.
Operations Cor the past few weeks have
peen more restricted TO remodeIlng and
reeonstrueting projects One of the more
important OF these was the $4,000 propo-
sition by which the old home or the
Second National Bank, in Seventh street.
between f and F, has been transformed
from an old-time structure TO one of the
most modern banking structures in the
city. The old four-StOry building had
lain untouched for more than forty
years. ana the bank officials had gone
IN the same door since the famous panic
year Of 1873.
Bank RemOdeIed.
The frst great Improvement made by
the builders was TO place the ground
hoor Of 1he bank, where practically all
business was transacted, upon a level
with the street The old flight OF steps
was done away with, and a modern en-
trance now fronts the building Gray
granite faces the structure. with the
main banking floor made attractive and
modern by the use of marble counters
and columns
Two new vaults placed on the first floor
and the entire basement divided into a
series OF storage vaults made the facili-
ties OF the bank in caring for coin and
Valuables up TO date. At The rear Of
the main banking room an ample light
supply was given the entire space. nearly
90 by 100 feet in dimensions. by the intro
duetion Of large prism glasses.
New office Building.
Announcement of the purchasers Of the
three-story building at 1881 and 1888 G.
street northwest. adjoining the Colorado
Building. is preliminary 10 extensive
building operations there A syndicate
composed OF Robert B. Caverly, Otis II
Cutler and Joseph d. Gallagher bought
the property. paving in the neighborhood
Of $1,000. The plans OF the syndicate
are not definitely formed. but that the
present buildings will be torn down for
the erection OF a modern ten-story Office
structure is the ultimate idea
-
city proper the most important develop
ment in resl estate circles was the strides
taken In the Improvement of suburban
property. AT the 7O0-acre tract in Fairfax
County, Va, the Rural Homes Develop
ment Company. composed of government
employees working for a suburban CO.
operative colony. placed several hundred
workmen on the ground 10 begin active
work
The sinking OF artesian wells for an
adequate water supply will be the first
step in the development of the section,
and bids have already been asked for in
estimate for the installation of the water
mains The wooded portions of the land
will be Immediately cleared. and the firm
OF landscape gardeners employed by the
company promise an attractive park,
with winding roads, instead of straight.
unshaded streets.
Chevy Chase Active.
Chevy Chase was the scene of many
operations in the selling line on the
north side of the city.
To a lieutenant commander in the
United states navy. the firm OF Key
Smith & Latham has sold a large lot
fronting 100 feet on Bradley lane, over
looking the beautiful links of the Chevy
Chase Golf Club The lot is 200 feet in
depth. and being elevated three TO five
feet above grade affords an imposing
position for a beautiful home overlook
ing the links 1t is understood that the
purchaser Will erect a fine residence
thereon as home for himself and family.
This lot Is one in the subdivision which
the firms purchased last spring, and with
the home of Mr.. II. II Classic completed
and the large colonial residence of Mr..
Latham well under way. which is ex-
pected to be completed within the next
two months. the surrounding property be-
gins 10 lake on very imposing appear
ance.
Mr. Key-Smith also reports the sale
during the past week Of a large triangu-
lar lot at the intersection OF Western
avenue and Brookville road, Chevy
Chase. 10 a prominent local physician
Both OF these properties are very hand
some. and show the continued interest |
and activity in Chevy Chase investments |
The firm also reports a great demand |
FHV T7uH1 ,f-I4z i
apartments; in fact, the demand has ex-
ceeded the supply IN many instances, and /
IL has been difficult 10 secure sufficient /
suitable apartments for the applicants
Mount Vernon suburb.
One of the most important ventures /
undertaken by those firms DESTROYS Of 4
placing the advantages of suburban life |
before prospective buyers Is she opening /
up of new subdivision at North Mount 1
Vernon. THY project is placed under /
way by the North Mount Vernon Land /
Company, of which Charles d. Fowler is 1
president.
This property is a part OF the original /
estate of the Washingtons and thus de-
rives a certain historical interest. II is
said that Washington chose Mount Yer
non for his country home only after
inspecting all Of the property surround
ing the then small village or the city.
and it is certain that in the site chosen
as many advantages of country life were
included as possible.
The new suburb is on the direct line OF
the Washington. Alexandria and Mount
Vernon Railway. thus insuring adequate
transportation facilities, and overIooks
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