The Washington times., 1911-07-22
THEATER MEN CALL
LACK Of SITES BIG
CAPITAL DRAWBACK
No Property Available in
Downtown Section for
Playhouses.

Practically no real estate sites are
available in Washington :or the con-
struction of such a playhouse as the
Nations Capital needs. This is the
opinion of a seasoned theatrical man,
who for the past several years has
watched the development OF realty in
this city, and always with an eye to-
ward the adaptability of different sites
to the construction of theaters.
Washington is amply provided with
smaller theaters," said Fred G. Berger,
of the Columbia. Mr.. Berger is soon
to join with the Metzerotts. who own
the Columbia, in remodeling that thea
ter. They will build an extension to
cover two lots acquired recently by
Oliver Metzerott on Twelfth street,
which gives an additional depth to the
Columbia Theater of about forty-two
feet.
Large and Beautiful.
'Washington's theaters of the future"
said Mr.. Berger, should be ornamental
and adequate. At present there are
none here that can accommodate the
full production of grand opera or the
mammoth New York shows"
1t is because Of this that the acquisi-
ton of the two lots on Twelfth street
by the Metzerott estate has taken on an
especial interest in the real estate circles
of Washington, and IN the theatrical
world as well.
town distrtct-that bounded by Seventh
street to tFifteenth street and from
pennsylvania avenue to e street-whict
are available for large buildings. Yet
the sites which may be used for the
construction of playhouses oil adequate
size are comparatively few. Ten years
ago this was not so marked because
the building regulations governing the
construction of theaters, which are now
in effect, had not been drafted. Then
greater leaway in the matter of fire pro-
lection and approach, exits and en-
frances was allowed.
Just after the present building regu
lations governing the erection of thea
ington entered on an era of success as
theatrical city, and the need for
theater larger by far than any the
city possessed or possesses now was
keenly felt, but because of the new
building regulations few sites suitable
In location and in size were available.
The Academy's Experience.
The Academy Of Music was Quilted by
FIRE shortly after these regulations be-
came laws, and that theater was the
first to attempt reconstruction under
the new regulations. While they did
not find It necessary to acquire more
land, many changes from the old form
Of playhouse were made.
Since then. from time to time, various
new theaters have been planned for
Washington. Some of the new ones will
shortly be started, and all the men in
terested in these projects are working
toward the same end-to obtain sites
which will allow them to construct q
theater where grand opera may be sung
and where large productions may. be
put on.
II know Of only one site in the down
town section" said Mr. Berger. 1T is
an excellent location in every way.
Yet to build a theater on 1t which would
be large enough, and at the same time
conform with the building regulations
three or four feet of ground would have
to be obtained from adjoining property
in order to give the theater an alley
way-and that small piece Of land cam
not be obtained"
The plans for the remodeling of the
Columbia Theater are not under way Is
let, and Oliver and Frank Metzerott
are not yet ready to outline the scope Of
the Improvement, except to say that
when completed the theater will be the
handsomest, safest, and will have the
largest stage in the city.