The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02

RESIDENCE SITES
IN LARGE DEMAND
Operators In New Tracts Find a
Heavy Inquiry for Lots
for Homes

OAKLAND, April Three impor-
taat items 60 70 make the record for
business in the real estate market this
week. one is the development OF con-
tlnued interest in the extension and
expansion OF the retail business district
westward. the second is the unprece-
dented inquiry for residence sites in
the many new tracts that have been
placed on the market this spring. and
The third IS the steady move IN water
front property. which is becoming a
matter OF much Importance in Oak
land.
WEEK 4 SATISFACTORY ONE
Altogether the week has been a sat
isfacrory one. Brokers are especially
interested in the large inquiry for
home sites. In ali quarters Of the city
Is this noted. and IL is also observed
that the home buyers are devoting a
-fsir part OF their capital TO the erec-
1ion of a high class Of dwellings. Oak
land is destined to become one Of the
show cities Of the United States, so far
IS its beautiful homes are concerned.
The new architecture IS Of the most
artistic order and the superb sites on
hills and rolling plateaus have been
utilized 10 the best advantage by land
S1ape experts
PARK SYSTEM IMPROVED
ore Of the noteworthy features of
tie new conditions is the develop
rlent OF an uurivaled park and boule-
vard system. This is going forward
with great raDidity under the benei-
cent handling OF municipal park and
boulevard commission.
Nearly S6G.000.OO0 invested during
the four years just past IN permanent
improvements by the federal and
municipal sOvernupents, by transpor-
tation and other public service cor
porarious and by private firms and in
diviJuals is one reason for the firm
ness Of real estate values in Oakland.
The estimate Of the amount which
las gone into the improv sments is
considered by assessment and statisti-
cal experts 20 be very reasonable
one These figures given are in fact
well under the estimates made by the
most conservative men Of this class.
That there have been such enormous
expenditures tor building warehouses,
pr0vi6iugetrac wharves, streets, lay
ing out and improving parks, con-
structing boulevards. putting IN sewers,
installing power plants, constructing
underground conduits FOR electric wires
since January !, 1906, Is abundantly
proved by the official figures and by
the visible results Of the work
SEASON SHOWS INCREASE
Every dollar Of the enormous amount
named has been put into Improvements
OF such a character that II has added
70 The value OF every foot OF ground
ana every dwelling house and business
structure in the city Of Oakland.
The opening OF the building season
OF 1910 shows that there Is 10 be an
increase in the number OF houses con-
structed and in the amount Of invest
ment in that class Of improvements.
During the month Of March the value
Of the building permits issued by the
deps rrment OF buildings Of the Oakland
city government IS nearly s70o,000
Building permits for March exceeded
those of any month since 1908 Per
mits applied tor were:
Permits Total cest
Alterations sad additions 72.o7l 10
Total ----.-.---.. 4Js 1851. o4T 10
The month Of March is not regarded
- better than an average month, and
Il the remainder Of the year keeps up
the average the total by next December
VIII 20 to near the $4,000, 600 mark.
That this viii be exceeded in the value
OF houses built this year is now GER
tain. Large public and corporation
buildings. and others planned by pri-
vate firms and individuals which viii
certainly be constructed, amount in to-
tai value 10 more than the sS,O0o,oO0.
EXPECT BUSINESS TO DOUBLE
Conservative real estate men look
Tor total building investment during
the present year equal TO double the
highest ever recorded for a single II
months IN Oakland, and their estima tes
are confined to the count Of only such
work IS is known To be in hand, fully
planned and amply financed.
. 1.rrEH
in Oakland for the last four years end
ing with December 81. 1909, show that
IN 1906 there were issued 3.53s build
ing permits, with the value Of the
buildings estimated at S6,102es5 In
1907 the permits numbered 4,507. with a
mits numbered 3,s14, with a value
OF se,320,56 In 1909 the permits
numbered 3,2s6, with e value Of $685.
512. This makes total number Of per
nits for the four years 1886, with a
value OF s25.es6,042. The records only
show the work done in the old city
limits. II is estimated that in Pied
mont. Emeryville and the districts an
nexed last winter there was an invest
ment in new buildings equal to so per
cent Of the work in the city proper
This would aid $4,000 900 to the fore
going.
sIs.o0o. 900 ADDED To COMFORTS
In the four year period there has
been street work. sewer building, park
making and other permanent municipal
improvements, to which the expend-
itures Of the street railway company.
the four railroad companies. the gas.
electric light and power companies, the
water company. the telegraph and tele-
phone companies and other public serv-
ice corporations, which have added fully
SIS, 100000 to the permanent betterment
Of Oakland facilities, conveniences and
comforts.
MONTHS BUILDING PERMITS
The summary of building permits
applied for during the week at the
board OF public works as compiled by
Walter B. Fawcett, the secretary, fol-
lows: