The Washington herald., 1913-08-20
PERMITS ISSUED
To RAzE HOUSES
Buildings on Mystery" Prop
erty Are to Be Torn
Down.
WORK TO BEGIN TODAY
Beyond Statement that 1t b Owned BY
"Syndieate," Agents Are Rstiesnt
on The Subject.
WORK TO BEGIN TODAY
By i. A. FLEMING.

Permits have been taken out for the
razing OF the buildings on the 'mys-
terry property, that much-discussed tract
IN TnIrueentn street Northwest. between
F and G Streets. James r. Parsons q
Co will commence demolition this morn
ing.
1t will not be Gimbel store; 1t will
not be a Wannamaker investment; no
theater will occupy this desirable and
large vacant lot in the exclusive business
district
There is Just as much mystery about
II as ever. AS to ownership, indeed, II
has been the best kept secret of many
that have attracted the attention OF
newspapermen for some time 1t Is
owned by a syndicate" That is as far
q F. II. Smith & CO., the realty brokers
IN the purchase and upbuilding OF the
property, will go. But they are perfectly
willing to nail any Of the theories that
have been advanced recently
Owned by "syndIcnte."
This property is owned by syndicate,
and we will improve it for any tenant
or two or three tenants Moreover, We
will erect one. two. or three buildings on
long-term leases, or We will erect build
ings and take the chances of renting,
say =. II. Smith & Co. We have had
many inquiries for the property. many
vouId-be tenants. We have no tangible
proposition. and We are. therefore get
ting busy at the order OF the syndicate.
we have taken out permits to raze
the buildings will excavate for a struc-
ture full front in F Street down to
Topham's trunk store, and l5i feet IN
Thirteenth Street. If by the time We
have completed our excavation We have
not signed any leases, We Will erect
structure suitable to the location and
credit TO that section of the city.
Guessing for n Year.
During the year of speculation as TO
the ownership and purposes for which
this property would be used, many pos
sible tenants have been suggested. First,
il was Gimbel Brothers, and this story
was given reiteration even IN the face
of persistent denials. After Gimoel
Brothers had denied intent TO invade the
CaBital it was picked as a site for
theater, then S. w. Woodward was
chosen as the buyer: then S. Kann Sons
e. Co. and finally Parker. Bridget & Co.
were named.
Failing entirely, the guesses were
tabled, the buildings in the meantime,
having been vacated one after another.
The plans for the excavation. and OF
the building to be erected. If no tenants
appear 10 CndnSe liltiil. Cdii loi n
ture to cover the entire property save
100 feet on the Thirteenth Street side, and
s. feet on the Southeast corner of G and
Thirteenth and G Street to the fruit
ore.
Improvement Is Welcomed.
The improvement of this property will
be welcomed by the public. as the glar-
ing emptiness of this entire block OF
buildings has been an eyesore and caused
many questions from those not ac-
quainted with the plans for the improve
ment.
There is story in real estate cir
cles that the American Theater Company
is the owner of the property. If this
is true. il may he taken as an indica-
ton that an investigation showed that
Washington has enough theaters to fill
the amusement field.
F. H Smith & Co, expressed the hope
that this was not so, as they are per-
fectly willing to sign up with any theater
proposition that will affix its name to a
desirable lease.
The title TO the mystery" property lies
IN the Washington New Thester Com
pany, but this is just as much mystery
rs no title at all.