The Washington times., 1913-12-20
STORES TO REPLACE
!. HISTORIC BUILDING.
W. F. Roberts Plans Extensive
Improvements on Site of Old
MendeIsohn Art Gallery.

The w. F. Roberts Company, 1413
New York avenue northwest. has taken
out a ten-year lease on tie property
at 1409-l4l1 New York avenue, known
for many years as Mendelsohns art
gallery, from its last lessee, who car
ried on a business in antiques there.
The property will be thoroughly i'm
proved by the construction al a new
front and remodeling the premises into
an up-todate business property to be
taken over by, the present firm Of Rob
erts. Building operations are to be
begun during the coming week.
The two-storied structure will be
practically razed. to allow Of the pres
ent needs. AS far as is possible the
first floor will be lowered to the level
Of the street and an entirely new front
installed Show windows viii take the
place of the present. front 0f the un-
pretentious residential looking struc-
ture, and IS feet front by about 100
foot depth will be covered N the new
building operation.
The stores when the latter is COM
pIeted win be made to communicate by
clearing a part of the wall In the 14l3
property. The new Improvement VIII
take over the sports and Photographic
departments OF the Roberts Company.
The structure at Ii19-l1 New York
avenue IL pointed out as one of the
city's most historic buildings. 1t was
constructed about 1857 for a galaxy OF
literary lights organized under the
name of the Washington Club.
The organization had previously held
its gatherings in a building situated on
the present site of the Belasco Theater.
For many years the Washington Clro
held its literary. gatherings IN the his
toric property Quaint characters VINO
had made ripple in political waters OF
wartime days, are still remembered by
many of Washington's oldest inhabi-
tants. as frequenters OF the club home.
Hallett Kilbourn. one of the rising lights
IN Journalism OF the day, made this his
tayorite haunt. Kilbourn was jailed for
a political difficulty. but finally was
freed, and won a suit for recovery. Sam
Ward, the noted lobbyist, was one of
its best patrons.
The property was then Washington 5
favoritl coffee house." though a cen
tury late to be taken as such literally
cosmopolites, newspaper
men, and the 'characters' of the age
all found there fayorite resort-and
perhaps a glass of-but why recall the
distant past. q
Nor were the members OF the Washing
ton Club Of mediocre calibre. Garfield,
then President, is recalled as having
made frequent visits there, and with
him. the famous leaders of the day.
In 1895 the Young Mems Christian AS
at the corner of Ninth and d
streets northwest, the present site OF
one OF Washingtonis theaters. The or
ganiZation was moved bodily to the
New York avenue building. But mis-
fortune pursued them. They were burn
ed out OF there after occupying the
premises for number of years.
Subsequently IL was bought by the
Provident Life Insurance Company. Of
and later II was purchased
by the Walsh estate, its present owners.
Plans for the remodeling were pre-
pared by Appleton p. Clark, architect of
this city. who also has just completed
plans for a colossal addition 10 the Ma
tional Savings and Trust Company in
The same block This operation viii be
begun after January !.