Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05
Bic NEW BUILDING
REPORTED PLANNED
Mystery Purchaser at 18TH
18th and Avenue and (
in Likely Deal.

Development of the entire square
bounded by Pennsylvania avenue and E
street, Twelfth and Thirteenth streets,
a part of which was purchased in Au-
gust by principal whose identity as
yet is shrouded in mystery, looms as q
possibility in the face Of recurring re-
ports in reliable circles that negotia-
tions are pending for the remainder of
the large square.
Negotiations for the inclusion of the
remainder of the block in the site for
the new development were expected to
DE resumed this week by agents of tbs
new owners of the west end of the
square. All the remainder of the block
Is known to be owned by Christian
Hsurich, ST., who has Just returned
to Washington from Europe.
1t was reported in apparently we'll
informed circles yesterday that the
negotiations would take the form either
OF proposal that the larger portion of
the block be sold to the owners of the
building site or included in the proposed
development under a long-term lease
arrangement, such as has been en-
ployed in a number of other building
operations here.
Big Development Likely.
II this plan is consummated, 1t would
forecast new development for this
commanding site overlooking the Gov
eminent triangle south of Pennsylvania
avenue of a size and importance far
greater than that indicated by the DUR
chase of the western end of the square.
While no official announcement has
been made to date concerning either
the identity of the purchaser of the
tract at the western end of the square,
or the character of the building planned,
the mere confirmation of the report
that the purchaser paid well in excess
Of 81 ,000,0 900, in cash, for the 1876
square feet, was an indication to local
observers that the purchaser had q
project OF magnitude in mind, and also
had huge financial resources or backing.
The entire block contains q grand
total Of So, 100 square feet which would
make possible structure of huge size.
II a building of maximum size permitted
by the coming code were erected on the
square it would be one of the most
prominent and outstanding private
Washington developments. due to its
size and position facing the monumental
government buildings to the south.
Mr. Heurich has been represented re-
posal that he sell his holdings along
Pennsylvania avenue between Twelfth
and Thirteenth streets, but it was be-
lieved by those closely associated with
him that he would be inclined to con-
slider . 99-year lease proposal. Nc
direct comments, however, can Be
drawn from any Of the few having
any real information about the project
Agent for Purchaser.
The Riggs National Bank took title
as trustee to the property at the west
ern end Of the square as agent for the
undisclosed purchaser. This property
acquired has a frontage of SO feet on
Pennsylvania avenue, IA feet on Thir-
tenth street and Of 1913 feet on z
street. Bank officials, respecting the
wishes of the purchaser. viii neither
confirm nor deny any official reports
concerning any phase of the contem-
plated development
RumorS still persist that the new
Development will take the form of a
hotel with possibly some other features
Most rumors to date, however, are based
apparently on what observers think
would be the most likely development.
The mystery surrounding the purchase
and the reported negotiations for the
remainder of the square has served
to stimulate interest in the project.
The latest rumor to be run to earth
Is the report that the Statler Hotel or
ganization, with headquarters in the
Pennsylvania Hotel in New York, was
the purchaser and planned to build a
large hotel here. Frank A. McKowne.
president, informed The Star this week
that his organization has not been and
is not interested in the site, was not
the purchaser and knew nothing about
the transaction
Likewise the rumor that the PennSyl-
vania Railroad or one of its bus sub
siciaries was the purchaser of the site
has been met with the statement of the
general real estate agent of the railroad
in Philadelphia that that organization
was not the purchaser.
local spokesman for the Ford
Motor Co. likewise has stated that Ford
is not the purchaser of the site.