The Washington herald., 1910-04-24

gested among them that the tendency
of building houses largely Of one type
might be modified considerable TO the sat
isfaction OF the owners of property and
the betterment OF the city.
ono form OF this suggestion was that
It would be we'll TO build few apart
ment buildings with a view 10 selling
out the apartments instead Of renting
them. II is said that some jewellers IN
apartment houses would be glad 10 save
the item Of rent II II could be accomp-
lished, and prominent real estate man
thinks he has discovered a way in which
ii may be done
Would sell Apartments.
He outlined his plan TO Washington
| Herald reporter about as follows
The apartment house could be built
not more than TWO or three stories high.
! and the suites should be Of sufficient size
and number Of rooms 10 ensure comfort
as we'll as convenience These suites
then could be sold TO private parties I'M
} der some form Of joint contract covering
the whole building Probably the con-
veyances would have 10 be drawn IN the
name Of corporation. the members Of
/ which would be the owners OF the apart
ments. This would meet the require
ments OF legal title to the property. The
/ rights in the building could be recited
in the articles Of incorporation IN such
way as TO insure the security OF all IN
/ the joint ownership
! The advantages OF the arrangement, the
real estate man thought. would be the
/ saving Of rent 20 the apartment house
| dweller. which 10 him in many instances
/ IS the largest item OF living. Il would
also insure a permanent place OF resi-
/ dence at small expense after the prop
erty should be once acquired. 1t would
| give opportunity for such Improvement
and changes in the apartments as would
best suit the occupants. without the
usual friction with landlords or owners.
Might Improve Architecture.
This plan might or might not result in
architectural changes which would break
up the monGtony Of the present arrange
ment Of block houses. but If such apart
ments should oe constructed in the sub
urbs where land could be obtained at a
low price they might be built with some
open space about them with a view TO
beautiful grounds.
A corollary Of the original suggestion
| would be that several individuals might
form a joint stock company. pool their
money. and construct the apartment
house 10 suit their own notions. getting
their property at first cost without the
Intervention OF spectators in the ground
aud the building
Another plan suggested was the break
ing up Of the solid block plan Of con-
structing houses and building them about
a plaza with open spaces between each
house or between them in pairs. This
idea is that a square OF ground should
be laid out with a wide space through
the middle OF Il capable OF parking on
the inside with a street and sidewalks
on either side. The houses would flank
the plaza thus formed. The plaza would
serve the purposes OF a public park to
the inhabitants Of the square and could
be maintained at public expense or by a
small annual contribution from the own
ers. II is argued that this plan Of build
ing would occupy a little more space
but would add 20 the beauty OF the sur
, roundings and the comfort Of the owners
, or the property. II would give larger
open spaces and rid the neighborhood OF
the crowded appearance seen in many
portions Of the city.
Spread Ont the Apartment.
! Another plan suggested is a modifca-
, ton Of the sky-scraping apartment house
j by spreading it out over the ground q
) little and introducing into the idea AT
element Of the private house. BY this
! plan the builders would take q square
p of ground. build houses TO suit the cir
cumstances around it on four sides. and
r utilize the middle OF the square with q
I heating and lighting plant, with possibly
/ the addition OF a laundry and cafe. The
idea is to introduce Into the square pri.
= vate ownership Of the houses and tn,
economy and efficiency of the communal
plan in regard TO- heat, light and house
/ hold service. II would be TO all intents
e and proposes an apartment house spread
l over a square instead OF the houses beinl
5 piled one on top Of the other eight or ter
deep. 1t is said that this plan has beer
5 worked out successfully in other cities
r At first blush II might be thought thai
1 none OF these plans are practicable OF
account Of the greater expense involved
3 but those who have discussed the sub
ject assert that the increased cost IS no
s necessarily a bar 10 the success OF tn,
Q plan. 1t was argued that If home seek
! ers should see the advantages of tn,
scheme, be satisfied with II, and inves
= in the enterprise, the plan would TAX
S care OF itself.
Il Residence Park Suggested.
> Another arrangement of houses in tn
interests of beauty and convenience &
: the owners may be called for want OF
better name the residence park. where
Consid 7rable tract OF ground is broken u
!, into winding streets. circles, and small
:, open plots with the houses placed a
: points of vantage and each separate
: from it's fellows. These parks are lk
: Cleveland Park. Saurs Addition. Argyll
Park, and a few others around Washing
q. ton. II was declared by the real estat
man who was talking about the matte
:, that this form OF utilizing real estat
might be more widely used with good eff
feet so far as the beauty of the city /
concerned and to the satisfaction an
comfort of the owners of property.
These suggestions were given only i
. a tentative way as being possible Of appli
= cation with a view of getting away fror
Il the set type of building, in the belle
v that some change OF the kind would wor
: to the advantage Of all concerned-own
v ers of unimproved land. builders, ARCH
s tects. and the buyer Of the home after
& is in his possession.