Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-06
Harry Wardman Contemplates
Biggest Private Undertaking
in Capitals History.
STRUCTURE TO BE BUILT
IN WOODLEY PARK REGION
Lot Will Front 1900 Feet on CAL
vert Street and 1000 Feet on
Woodley Road.

Information became public today of
the biggest private building undertak-
ing ever attempted in Washington.
1t involves a development plan call
ing for an outlay of between $4,000. 900
and s5,000.000 in the Woodley Park
section by Harry Wardman. Although
definite announcement as to the exact
character of the development has not
yet been made, information that has
been made public indicates that it is to
surpass anything that ever has been
attempted in this city, if not the entire
country.
Contracts for the Land.
Information concerning Mr.. Ward
mans plans became known today when
it was learned that he has contracted with
the receivers of the Thomas E. Wag-
gaman estate and others for the pur-
chase of about twenty acres of land
lying west of Connecticut avenue and
fronting on the proposed extension of
Calvert street and on Woodley road.
The contract calls for consideration
of about 100000, it is reported. the
sale of the property having been ne
gotiated by Joseph II. keane.
1t is understood Mr.. Wardman pro-
poses to develop the property by the
erection of a great apartment struc-
ture. development consisting of a
series of apartments arranged in a
group and surrounded by parks. The
entire twenty acres is to be included
in the scheme.
Mr.. Wardman today stated that he
has not yet reached definite decision
concerning the development. He inti-
mated that it would consist of series
of apartments with parks between
them. The only comment he would
make was that the Wardman Courts. on
Clifton street, extending from 18th to
14th streets. would be "a baby com
pared to it" The Wardman Courts
contain total of 216 apartments and
cover about half a city block.
Fronts 200 Feet on Calvert Street
The land which Mr. Wardman has
contracted to purchase has a frontage of
about 1900 feet on Calvert street and
about 1000 feet on Woodley road 1t
overlooks Rock Creek valley and is con-
sidered one of the finest unsubdivided
properties in the District. The east
boundary Of the tract is 24th street and
the Massachusetts Avenue Heights prop
erty borders it on the west The
grounds surrounding Mr.. Wardman's
home at the intersection of Woodley road
and Connecticut avenue adjoin the
northeastern corner of the tract
The greater part Of the property is a
portion Of the Thomas E. Waggaman
holdings BY reason Of the Waggaman
bankruptcy the sale Of the property by
the receivers for the estate will have to
be ratified by the courts before the pur-
chase can be consummated
Negotiations Last Several Months.
For several years Mr.. Wardman has
contemplated acquiring the property and
developing it. and for several months ne
go,iations have been conducted by Mr..
keane for its purchase Several parcels
included in the tract are owned by out
of-town estates and by individual owners
in this city. and a result the negotia-
tons have been difficult to complete.
Mr. Wardman could not go ahead
with his plan to develop the property
until it was definitely known that Cal
vert street is to be opened west of Con =
necticut avenue. Several weeks ago
the District Commissioners ordered the
starting of condemnation proceedings
preparatory to the opening of the
street The opening of Calvert street
will permit the development of other
large tracts which are now without df :
rect means of communication.