The Washington herald., 1912-10-13
AVAILABLE SITES
COMMERCE HOME
Three locations, One Of Which viii
Probably Be Chosen for
New Building.
BUILDING TO COST 100000
BY 4. A. FLEMING.

Real estate interests and some owners
OF desirable sites are much interested in
the probable location Of the new building
to be erected as home for the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor.
The government has agreed to take a
nve years lease of . suitable building
to be erected on a site stin to be Sc
lected.
A number OF property holders have
formed the opinion that they are to be
favored with the commission. The build
ing must cost when completed $soo. 600
The three available sites that seem to
have the call at this time are located
on the southwest corner Of r and Seven
teenth Streets. just west Of the State.
War. and Navy building; the northeas st
corner OF Pennsylvania Avenue and
Twenty-first Streets. and the property on
the east side Of Vermont Avenue. be-
tween X and L Streets.
Owners of these sites have been max
ing their financial arrangements in the
event Of the selection Of their property.
An interesting problem is offered in the
query as to whether the erection of a
100000 building. such as the Department
OF Commerce and Labor must have. on
a certainty OF a fair rental for q period
OF five years is a good business PROPOSE
ton.
1t may be that the probable longer
tenancy Of the government with this de-
partment or some other department or
bureau may have n value. but some OF
the locations mentioned are entirely out
of the way fer a modern office building.
unless remodeling later on to an apart
ment building might solve the problem.
ONCE buildings have not made great
returns for their owners in Washington.
the expenses of operating being SO great.
the keeping of pace with the demands of
the tenants. that there has been little
net profits on the returns.
Invasion North Of Dupont Circle.
The problem offers good opportunity
for discussion. Business continues to
take in one building after another in
Connecticut Avenue. new structures or
remodeled residences OF the one-tirne
elite OF the Capital.
Heretofore the west side Of the avenue
north Of Dupont Circle has been free
from encroachments. Towles. the pho
tographer. has broken this record. hav-
ing taken No. $50 for a studio. The
price paid for the property was 10000
The best example of remodeling on the
avenue is at 12l5. where the southern
one of a double residence building. old
fashioned and long idle. offering no re-
turns to the owner. has been remodeled
into a bright light business structure
with quarters for stores and business
parlors that will be sure to attract at
tention and rent well. In the meantime.
the building at 1211 is a candidate for
renovation and remodeling
While 1t Is not exactly up-to-the-minute
news. there are comparatively few peo-
Pie In the city who know that the Childs
Catering Company. with a capital Of over
s1eO0o.0o1. has leased the premises 1423-
14ea Pennsylvania Avenue and will make
extensive alterations. after which the
company will open a restaurant
The Childs Company has establish
ments in New York City. Chicago. St.
Louis. Baltimore. and eleven other cities
1t is very successful and once having es-
tablished itself in a city, soon starts
branch eating places wherever the eNi-
gencies OF business will warrant