Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-23
MYSTERY SHROUDS
REALTY PURCHASE
Plans for Development oil
Central Site Also Held
Secret by Bank.
CONTINUED from First Page.)


that have come out of speculation about
the matter. Some of the proposals
strike some local builders and financiers
as being decidedly logical.
But II the owner of the site has de-
cided definitely upon the type Of devel-
opment to be carried out the plans may
not be revealed for number Of months,
since present occupants of old build
ings In the plot have until next jan
uary to vacate the premises.
Rumor ONCE Building.
The latest rumor Is TO the effect that
the new building will be an ONCE struc-
ture for patent or tax attorneys who
would desire to be located as closely as
possible to the Patent Once and other
Government agencies to be housed in
the Mall. The Patent once, for in
stance, Is to be located In the man.
moth new Department Of Commerce
Building.
It has been ascertained by The Star
that during the past year there was a
movement afoot to interest patent at
torneys in a plan for such an office
building, to be located on or near the
Avenue, but IL was understood that this
project failed for lack OF suficient
financial backing. It could not be
learned definitely If this plan had been
revived.
The fact that the Federal Govern
ment program eventually will elimi-
nate both the Poll and the Belasco
Theater buildings has for some time
given rise to speculation as to whether
a new theater win be erected here to
replace them and to give the Schubert
producers local house for their Wash
ington offerings. No public announce
ment as yet has been made, however,
regarding this question. The Govern
ment on the other hand has acquired
Polls Theater and the whole triangle
on which it stands for the purpose of
Q park to the north of the new De-
partment Of Commerce Building.
Also the Belasco Theater is to give
way, in accord with Federal develop
ment plans, to a new addition to the
Treasury Department.
The fact that the Federal Govern
ment program eventually will eliminate
both the Polls and the Belasco theater
buildings has for some time given rise
to speculation as to whether q new
theater will be erected here to replace
them and to give the Schubert pro-
ducers local house for their WASH
ington offerings. No public announce
ment as yet has been made, however,
regarding this question. The Govern
ment, on the other hand. has acquired
Polls Theater and the whole triangle
on which II stands, for the purposes
Of q park to the north of the new De-
partment Of Commerce Building.
Also, the BelaSco Theatei Is to give
way. In accord with Federal develop
ment plans. to a new addition to the
Treasury Department.
Pr. r. OfIiciaIs Deny Interest.
The rumor that the new develop
ment at Thirteenth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue would be q combination
hotel and bus terminal for the p. r. T.
lines was carried to the general real
estate agent Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, which now Is affiliated with the
Peoples Rapid Transit Co. Of Phila-
delphia. He stated definitely that the
Pennsylvania had not purchased the
site and knew nothing of the pur-
chaser.
Architects here doubt seriously If o
theater could be erected on the site of
its present size. The property has q
frontage of 80 feet on the Avenue, ia
on Thirteenth street and, l28 on e
street. Because of the high cost of the
site, the large space required for o
theater auditorium and the fact that
the remaining portion Of the block
there Is not for sale has cast doubts on
the theater suggestion, though no defi-