Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-24
CITY IS GROWING BY
LEAPS AND BOUNDS
Lack OF Materials Only Linita-
ton to Vast Building Pro-
gram Of Richmond.
BOUNDARY LINES CAST ASIDE
Realty Firms in Unique Position
of Having More Buyers
Than Sellers.
BOUNDARY LINES CAST ASIDE

building construction in Richmond is
united only by tn" scarcity of raw ma
'trIais ana the consequent inability Of
contractors TO take care of the cnor-
nous amount OF !icw work which is
thrust upon them. The Widest dream
"t inc most rahia optimist Of ten years
ago coyId hardly have VisuaiiZcd what
mas actually happened in TIA" way Of
suburban development. Restricted by
ne BOUNDARY lines Of that day, the
'!ty cast them aside and nowcd pas,
mem Tor several miles In three direc-
lions.
This annexed territory. raw and un-
developed few short years ago, now
IS no more suburban In appearance
than tn" center OF tho city. Broad
streets, Ranked by beautiful homes and
model apartment houses. spread for
mics over villa, Was meadow land ana
a"anpy pasture. Corner groceries and
drug storcS do q thriving business on
SITES where. nvc years ago. their only
customers would have been a. few
Hcighboring farmers
Lj-htninp-Likc Growth.
This liGh,ning-lii<c growth has been
largely in tho Hnrth Side and The cx-
trcue western portion Of Richmond.
Communities have grown up In these
sections almost overnight. IN" founda-
non for dwelling would be dug on
some block entirely barren oC build
ings Before the :rst story had been
completed earth would re hrukcu in
ih" ncigh1orhuOd fng several NOR.
houses. ana before Tho original build
ing was ready Tor occupation :, dozen
homes would be in th'' making. This
western or northern boundary would
exist for q f"w weeks. then Il venture
some builder would start construction
On another outpost. and the march
away from tho city would no resumed
ANA yet the fastest work Of the
nulicrs cannot keep pace with tile
growing demand for homes y large
majority Of these nom. buyers 81. not
nome builders. They prefer waiting
Tor tic Other man 10 complete a house
and ihcu pay his pri q or luok FOR 4
letter bargain. Aluuy firms of con-
tractors build hiOcks OF houses, all
ur""n On the same plan and then
lace iAcW ON the market y large
majority Of those houses arc sold to
nome buyers rather than 10 Spectators
Enormous Volume of Trade
This has naturally created an cnor-
nous volume Of trade. Eea! estate
:irms arc ~ the singular position Of
having more prospective purchasers
iAan sellers. Thls does not mean that
every house offered FOR sale is suaBpcl
Un Oh thr sam" day, because the size,
location, and especially the selling
sale. lut in" fact Is ,hat most firms
have Two prospective buyers for ever;
one psece Of property listed 10: sale.
IN" enormous increase In building
figures compiled by Building Inspector
i;ptl"r for 1912. Buildings OF ali types
'r"cicd during the year total.G I,;5..
'nd Tho total value was $7.52S.5s., -
Nigh water mark for Eichmoud
Tn" total number OF permits issued
FOR new work in 1918 was 80 and thc
Nalu" ot the const ructiou si.l5J.S1g. Tho
nIarhcd contrast between the TWO years
furnishes the best roason for the n
most Abnormal activity OF he past
Hftccn months. Men, materials and
money We're al needed for one purpose
during the war and only the most
necessary work was undertaken Tho
natural growth OF tho city continuoG
during TIA" war period ana The buiid
ing boom which has Gourishcd since
;hc signing OF TIA" arutst!cc has prob.
ably been heightened by accumulated
Lusi mess.
hUilt during 1918. while 5GT permits
for this type "f construct ION We're is
,CuntInucd on Second l'.rc)