The Washington times., 1913-05-17
HAMMOND PURCHASE
SETS RECORD PRICE
Nearly s5oo,o0o Paid for
Louis XIV Residence of Mrs.
George Pullman.

The record price for a Washington
residence was established when John
Hays Hammond signed the papers con-
veying to him the splendid Louis XIV
residence Of Mrs. George Pullman. al
llcs Avenue of the Presidents.
The consideration was almost half a
million dollars, but a large part Of this
sum went for the furniture. which was
purchased along with the house Fran
els Bennett Poe represented Mrs. Pull
man In the transaction, and Story &
Cobb represented Mr.. Hammond
A cash payment for about $500, 900 was
given. and in addition about pa,OC
square feet Of ground in kalorama
Heights. bounded by Kalorama avenue,
Twenty-fourth street; and L street, esti-
mated to be worth 81 a foot
The Pullman residence Is not only one
Of the handsomest in the city. but II is
unique in the fact that II has never
been occupied. The colored caretaker
Is the only person who has ever slept
in II, although the residence has been
completed and fully furnished more
Mrs. Pullman, who lives in Chicago,
and In the widow of the late sleeping
car king. built the house. while her
son-in-lav, Frank O.. Lowden. was a
member Of Congress from Chicago.
Just about the time the house was
from Paris. had arrived. Congressman
Lowden was defeated for reelection.
Mrs. Pullman promptly decided against
moving to Washington. although she
had spent more than $4,000 in prepa-
ration.
She Immediately listed the house for
sale with Mr.. Poe, and several transac-
tions have been almost closed. The Rus
sian embassy has been anxious to Sc
cure the place and has gone so far as to
ment. but IL never was confirmed. and
the Hammond purchase will prevent the
Russians securing II.
Washington Architect.
The house itself. in its architecture
and interior decorations. Is a work Of
art, and Is the product Of Nathan c.
Wyeth, a Washington architect. 1t
typifes TO the minutest detail the style
of Louis XIV. The familiar leaf which
characterizes this period is cleverly
worked into the decorative baIustrade
and wall ornaments.
The first floor is given over to a huge
reception hall. finished in a light gray
stone. that extends the entire width Of
the house and more than half its length.
to a splendid Louis XIV stairway. The
rear Of the first floor contains a serv-
ants dining hall, a complete laundry.
and kitchen that Is as large as many
hotel kitchens and completely equipped.
The second and main floor of the
house has two rooms that are proba bly,
in Washington for art and
splendor. The one IL the Louis XIV
drawing room, at the front, extending
the entire width Of the house. and fin
ished in a liberal use of gold. The other
is the dining room. paneled in hgh:
French walnut, trimmed in gold, and
containing several beautiful decorative
panels of flowers above the doors
Italian Garden.
An attractive conservatory opens
from the dining room and overlooks
the Italian garden to the south of the
music room. a smaller
drawing room, several morning
rooms. reception rooms and parlors,
all adhering closely to the period of
Louis XIV, complete the first two
stories.
In the second floor are eight master
bed chambers. FIVE baths. and a sit
ting room The third floor has suf-
fcient rooms and baths to accommo-
date eighteen servants. Every con-
ceivable luxury. such as two electric
elevators, telephone service in every
room, and other features uncommon
even in other splendid residences in
WashinEton. are included. Every
piece Of furniture was imported from
Paris, and is in place.