The San Francisco call., 1910-01-08
PROGRESS OF CITY
CAUSES CONFIDENCE
Eastern Capitalists Show Will
l7gness TO Invest Money On
Local Property

Iais being practically at the begin
ning OF the new year, il is natural mat
some forecast should be made Concern
ing the prospects for local realty dur
ing the ensuing l. months. The consen-
sus Of opinion entertained by builders
owners of real estate. architects. real
estate brokers and businessmen gen
orally is that there viii be steady i'm
p~ovemenL This view is based on an
increase in the demand for good realty
En- the last few monhs. and also on a
coasideraion of all the facts involved.
Architects say that the high class
hulldings that have been erected in the
last three years viii stimulate prop
erty owners 10 put up handsome struc-
lures
Brokers dealing in realty say that
The tendency toward cheaper money is
marked and that individuals are pre-
pared 10 lend large sums as low as per
cent net per annum- This is considered
am important circumstance and one
that rs calculated 10 further the build
ing interests as much as any other.
businessmen report that the Christ
mas trade was very good and there are
some who say that il was better than
Jnst OF any preceding holiday season
within their recollection. and that the
period so included extends far back
prior 10 the great FIRE Of 1906.
LOWER RATES PROBABLE
While a lower rate OF interest may
bc secured. it is considered probable
that the rates OF insurance VIII be
diminished as a. result OF the prepara-
lions which the city has made and
has for immediate execution to guard
all parts OF the city from fire.
There are sections of the city that
are stin largely unoccupied by build
ings. Two movements are under way
no overcome this condition. one Of
these is TO secure a modification Of the
building law so that buildings of class
u type. Of size and height 10 be re-
srricted by law, may be erected west of
Powell street Another is 10 contract
the hre limits. Both Of these move
lnents may he said TO be IN the forma-
. tive stages. They are backed by either
organized or individual effort
II may be said, in q general way.
that good building construction soon
after the IRE on prominent corners and
along leading streets generally has led
70 splendid structures being erected
subsequently, There is no comparison.
al The beginning of 1910. in the dis
tricts that include the present limits
o. ihe downtown retail section. the
region north Of California street and
east Of Kearny. and the great parallel
streets Of Howard and Mission with
what existed prior 10 1906
SUPERIORITY or BUILDINGS
The whole construction in these sec
tons is so much superior that they
- collectively give one the impression Of
a new san Francisco
What has haDneupd in three Yea rs
has indicated 50 Enuch more vitality ia
The city than san Francisco was sup
posed TO possess that ali favorable
forecasts concerning construction in
1910 may fairly be considered within
Tho reasonable probabilities.
Concerning the entrance Of private
capital into san Francisco 10 be lent
0n the security OF local realty. il is
said by one broker OF high standing
that s. 100000 has been invested re-
Gently in two transactions on a centra
downtown street BY men from the east
and that this indicates the confidence
that IS necessary 10 bring large leans
on easy terms.
DEMAND FOR PROPERTY
There has been a greater demand for
eligible property in the last two
months than for any corresponding
length Of time ia the last three years.
Al the beginning Of the new year and
within period Of five months from tle
expiration Of the time limit for the
existence Of the temporary buildings
erected as an emergency measure TO
meet immediate needs after the FIRE of
1896. 81 is noticeable that the progress
OF demOnshing what are known as
rshacks~ is going ahead with accelerat-
ing speed. The effect OF this. especially
iu the region OF tho water front, bids
fair 10 be very marked during the early
spring months There are long lines of
ore story buildings near East street
that have been tensntiess for some
time. simply because The orders o. the
board OF supervisors have warned peo-
plo that these buildings are doomed.
NEW ORDER OF THINGS
In the more pretentious Heighbor-
hood OF Van Ness avenue a month has
made a marked advance in the matter
Or clearing away temporary buildings
and the prepara tiOn OF fine building
sites for structures of ? permanent and
costly sort. OF which several viii be
erected during the present year. This
ready acceptance OF the new order Or
things is Of such marked interest that
IL may be said fairly 10 ts'pify the spirit
of the time.
The speed which is being made in the
preliminary work OF the promoters OF
the great worlds fair 10 be held in san
Panama canal will bring into the field
p mother important element in the pro-
motion OF interest IN local realty. This
is the way II Is looked at by downtown
businessmen. A large sum Of money
VIII be required. but II is all considered
to be- we'll expended in advertising san
Francisco. and the promoters look for
ward 70 q much hsrdsomer san Fran
cisco when the fair opens than now
exists.
EFFECT or REBJTLDING
The rebuilding of sections adjacent
10 the retail business center viii in
crease the inquiry for and interest in
business properties centrally located
aceording 20 one OF the most success
fll operators in San Francisco. Ad-
Joining tie retail section there Will be
ropulous sections that viii furnish a
iarge neighborhood trade
The passage OF a week has not
brought 10 the front any marked de-
velopmenf 81 the transportation situs-
tjon. which is an accompaniment OF the
general signs Of the times. The view
previously expressed that the Western
Pacific would begin TO construct q sys-
-ar- ~ leaders with All possible eNpe-