The Washington herald., 1911-02-05

Home life is the most distinctive fea-
ture among the nations of the world
and so it is not strange that in every
country there are peculiarties Of hous-
ing that reflect, in greater or less de-
gree, the home ideals of its people"
This is, in substance, the basis Of an
explanation by a prominent real estate
dealer Of Washington. who. after the
manner of that class, is too modest TO
allow himself to be quoted.
He had been asked whether the people
CT Washington favor more the apartment
house. the two-dwelling, or the detached
home. 1t was, he said. subject that
had not occurred to him in that form
before and asked little time to con-
slider.
All Types Have q Use.
Meantime Charles +. Wallraff, the rep
resentatlve of Moore & Hill, was seen
on the point. He has been an avowed
advocate of the detached dwelling in
the good residential part of the city,
and confessed to bias in that direction.
and certain inability to speak without
some prejudice.
But" he said. leach of these types of
homes has its peculiar place in the do
mestic economy of Washington, and each
fills its place well. 1t is but a very few
years since there was no apartment
house in this city-not a single one.
can well remember the concern that was
displayed among builders as to the profit
Of the undertaking when the first of the
later type went up The demand for
them came principally from those who
came to Washington from other places
where they had been accustomed to them
Such people coming to Washington would
look. first of all. for an apartment and
We're amazed when told that there were
none here.
They looked upon the absence as a
sign of provincialism, while the fact was
that the people of the city had always
been used to the single home idea. Land
was comparatively cheap. There was no
great congestion and any one who cared
could rent a detached houses at a very
moderate price
Skyscrnper Homes.
Then YOU think he was asked. that
the building of the apartment house in
cities generally has come about through
congestion and the high price in land?''
That is one great cause for their
erection and popularity. 1t is the sky
scraper principle of office building ap-
piled to the home. 1T is an economic fact
that a large apartment house in the
part of the city will give
proximity to business and the theaters
at comparatively low rental. and all of
this is not only appreciated, but has
come to be demanded by busy people"
Inquire made at the office of
Thos. ]. Fisher & Co. whose experience
in the apartment house business is large
as to the number of apartment houses
there are now in the city. 1T is strange
that you should have asked that question
at this time was the reply. Il have
been casually asking it of men whom l
thought ought to be able to give me
fair estimate. and the answers l have
received from those / have asked vary
by hundreds. This discrepancy has
prompted me to make a careful estimate
on my own account. and when l have
the data ready. 1 will let you have it.
But / do know that permits are issued
for the erection of new apartment houses
in Washington at the rate of from so
to 100 every year. l judge there are
about 500 already built.
The rapid increase of apartment
houses in the city in the short time
that they have been incorporated here
is an evidence of their need and appre-
citation They are of special use to those
whose families are small. for families
of adults only, or for those who are not
compelled to spend the summers in the
city. To such the apartment house that
is centrally located is most attractive.
The combination of hotel and home life
which the excellent hall and elevator
service affords in all high-class apart
ments has come to be a requisite to
fhnca VI troH lol Iva
the hotel life
Largely n Habit.
Il find" said ]. Louis Willige. presi- |
Gent of the firm of Willige, Gibbs & |
Daniel. that all the three classes of |
homes which you inquire about have
strong advocates, and the choice is large |
ly matter of taste, education. or, more |
habit and custom. There are |
families to whom apartment house life |
would he wholly uncongenial and I'M
suited to their needs. Others, again, will
have nothing else. 1t is all a part CT |
the needs of people. and the fact that
in the building operations that are de-
velopinS Washington so rapidly and so
artisticaliy all of these STYLES of homes
Are equally or at least fairly represented
S Of itself ample proof that all are pop-
Clar. and, L may add, necessary.
There is no doubt that if the family
conditions permit of apartment house life.
A greater degree of luxury and conven-
ience is obtainable at low cost than
Is at all possible in house of equal
rental. But, on the other hand, the de-
tached house has privacy and other COM
forts that are regarded by many as COM
pensating for the lesser degree of luxury.
or fine finish that low-priced i
homes afford and which make them pre-
ferable 10 some. |,
Luxury Attracts Many.
This superior luxury, comfort, and
service that high-class apartments have
20 offer seems to me to be the only ex-
cuse CT justification for the erection of /
apartment houses far out from the busi-
hess center. That location properly be-
longs to the detached house, as it is
he locality where land is So cheap now
hat large enough building lot can be
obtained for builders of moderate means
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