Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1923, Page 13

REAL ESTATE. ‘REAL ‘ES TATE. ashington’s Growth Reflected in Real Estate and Building News PLANS OF THEATER | CLOSELY CHECKED Work on Ahbassador 'lo Start at Early Date, L Crandall Promises. Farly start on the construction of the proposed Ambassader Theater, to ! be erected on the site of the ill-fated Knickerbocker Theater, at 18th street and Columbia road, was prom- ised by Harry M. Crandall today, in connection with the announcement that the official check of plans for the new theater is nearing comple- tion, in the office of the municipal building inspector. “The designing of the Ambassador Theater has been marked by the closest co-operation of the District building department, the architect, the structural engineers and the con- sulting_engineer,” Mr. Crandall stat- ed. “The first and one of the most important changes made in the new structure is revealed in the fact that the building will have its weight distributed over the’earth at the rate of three tons to the square foot in- stead of four tons. This is an ex- tradordinary allowance, and has been incorporated into the plans for the new theater to vitlate the effect of any vibration that may exist at present or at any future time. - Procedure of Steel Structure. The procedure with regard to the steel structure has been equally painstaking, and has been pursue as follows: ‘The de: n for the steel was made in the office of Thomas W. Lamb, the- ater architect, who has specialized in this type of bullding. The next step was 'to turn this design over to a steel detailer and maker of shop drawings, As the design and each detall was made it was checked by the con- sulting engineer, Mr. Baird, of Hodge & Baird. Mr. Baird is an expert on bridge construction. District Checks Plans. After this design and these detalls were completed and such changes made as were considered necessary by the consulting engineer, th filed with_the District building depart- ment and are now being completely checked by its engineers. The contract for the steel has been Jet to a Washington firm of fabrica- tors In order that an examination of the steel may be made by inspectors from the building deparatment during fabrication, thus obviating the need of excessive examination in the field where conditions are never perfect for closely vtical work. The new structure will not be what {s commonly known as “wall bear- ing.” The entire roof and balcony of the Amb: ador wiil be supported on ne structural steel columns, which, in turn. will be supported on concrete footings imbedded in the earth. The earth, as has been pre- viously stated, will be lpaded to a much less weight than is customary on a site of the mineral and geologi- cal quality of the 18th street and Co- lumbla road property. % The portion of the old bullding which has been left standing on_the 18th street frontage has been thor- oughly examined by both the build- ing department and the architect and in ev instan where there was the fainte: question of doubt new beams, new floors or reinforcements | have been, installed Rootf to Be of Stecl. ) The entire roof of the build'ng will be bullt of steel, with a gypsum slab. This gypsum weighs about one-third as much as the usual concrete roof structure_and has reinforcing iron Tods at about elghteen inches on cen- ters. The exterior of the building will be changed 8o as to bear no rescm- blance to the old structure. The por- tion which is limestone will remain Iimestone, but the arches will be re- moved and a straight limestone lintel construction substituted. The upper portion of the building will consist of an entirely stuccoed wall, Wwith small pllasters projecting therefrom in_an ornamental, light cornice. The marquise surmounting the main entrance will be entirely reconstruct- | ed and lowered to the proper helght| above the street to afford proteotion in bad weather. It also will be very; much lighter than the old porte| cochere. Like the exterior, the interior of the Ambassador will bear no resemblance to the former edifice. An Italatan Renaissance design In black and gold, with a little enlivening color, will be the features. The soft draperies will | be of gold and purple. The new seats will be covered with an embossed vel- | vet of old gold. and this, with the black and gold carpet, will complete the color treatment. Plan New Stage Set, “l"“l"llllllllllllIIIIllllIillllllllll“_llllllll A new stage set will be installed, eonsisting of elaborate drapes, which SIX BILLIONS TO BE EXPENDED ON BUILDING PROJECTS IN 1923 Bi_g Increase Over Last Year Predicted by Experts. Who Say Country Is Seven Billions Behind Requirements. - The year 1928 will see buildings con- structed in the United States to the value of about $6,000,000,000, in the opinion of experts within the building industry. This will exceed the year just ended by more than $1,500,000,000, although 1922 set a new high record in this country. It is estimated that the year begins with at least $2,500,- 000,000 in construction carried over because it was not physically possible to complete projects planned and un- der way. The coyntry is behind with its build- ing requirements at least $7,000,000,- 000, and perhaps more, in the view of some who haveifollowed the situa- tlon for the last two or three years. Of this year's building it is predict- ed that more than one-third will be for housing projects; that slightly less than a third will be for industrial, of- {fice and business purposes and that & will serve both as background and frame for a singer, speaker or the pictured feature. One feature of the new house will be found in the unique main ceiling lighting, fixtures. The entire center of the dome will be of leaded work, with crystal trimming and amber glass. This fixture, though designed to appear of the lightest construc- tlon, will have an inner frame of structural steel on which a man may stand to lamp the fixture or for any other desired pufpose | The Ambassador when completed | will make the tenth Crandall theater | in Washington and the fitteenth in| the Crandall chain, the others being the Metropolitan, Central, Sth and E.‘ Savoy, Avenue Grand, Apollo, Lincoln, | Tivoll (building) and York in Wash-| ton, and the Strand, Cumberland, Md Strand and Apolio, Martinsburg, W Va., and American Rialto, Roanoke, | HOW CRANDALL'S NEW AMBASSADOR THEATER, TO REPLACE THE KNICKERBOCKER, WILL APPEAR|building and the other on the Strat- [ and hot-water heat. These houses are brick T Open for Inspection 2945 and 2951 Upton St. N.W. New—Never Occupied Near Connecticut Avenue and Convenient to car line Have 8 spacious, well-arranged rooms, fireplace in liv- ing room, breakfast room, sleeping room, glassed-in; Hard- wood floors throughout, 2 baths, 1 with shower; electricity slightly less amount will be for churches, hospltals, schools, $tc. Duilding Better Distributed. It is predicted that the present ye will see buflding activity more even- ly distributed throughout the country than was the case last year., The per- centage of the different types of buildings also will more nearly ap- proximate the pre-war years, For in- stance there will be less activity in some of the larger cities to supply the demand for costly homes, and there are some signs of reaction against continuing such large read- building programs. Industrial building profects are almost sure to increase this year, as the better business conditions already evident in most lines will force cor- porations to extend thelr plants. It is the history of industrial expansion that plant additions are usually made in_times of business activity. Yet with a shortage of moderate- priced houses in most citles, inade quate schools In mearly every com- munity, it is certaln thay these classes of building projects will be undertaken in great numbers. As to building materials prices, | those who have studied condlitions do not belleve that economic conditions would encourage runaway markets, as this would bring an_ Inevitable reaction and a cessation of the build- ing boom. No Panicky Trend. The acute demand for construction in some communities appears to be somewhat lessened and the com- posure with which building operators have handled such situations a: recent brick shortage in New city, show that there is no disposition to become panicky and thus permit skyrocketing prices. The lessons of 1920 in this respect seem to have had thelr effect. -Apparently most bank- ers will uyse their influence on the side of caution if bullding costs rise too sharply. There is nothing yet, however, to indicate any downward tendency in WHEN COMPLETED. HHInnne construction, semi-detached, with spacious side and rear yards. Ample space for large garage. A better value is impossible to find on the present market. 738 15th St. N.W. ST QUL Properties Here is a list of exceptional offerings in various sections of the city— vacant property, improved and unimproved, first and second commercial zone properties, and apartment houses. Investors will find these offerings attractive and worth immediate investigation. < Special Price and Terms Can Be Arranged Thomas J. Fisher & Co., Inc. Main 6830 ) building prices, either as regards ma- terlals or wages. There is too great a demand for conmstruction for that result. Building figures for the vear just ended show that the total volume of contracts was not 'so much greater than in 1919, in so far as floor space is concerned, but there was an un- usually large carry-over of partly fin- ished construction. | The types and volume of building | insthe different parts of the country varied greatly for the . In New Englend and in the middle Atlantic “states buildings for residential pur- poses were much more in demand than in ‘the middle west. Industrial | buildings and public improvements were more in demand in the middle west. New York and Chicago led the country in the volume of building permits granted, with Los Angeles | third. | e Impressionistic. | From London Punch. Detective—The captain of the ship tells me you knew the man. Can you describs him? Sallor—The only thing I can recol- lect about 'Im is that 'is ears was stepped well aft LT Last two beautiful homes homes are built of Hytex brick electricity. Room for garage. Immediate inspection will are the season’s best buy., Prices and Terms Very Reasonable Inspect Sunday—Open Week Days Until 9 P.M. Arlington Real Values in Real Homes 1627 K St. N.W. mummmmwnm|mumm|mmmnnmmuuummmmuummmmnmummummmmnmlmmmnmn% NEW OPEN FOR T 1923 OFFERING Sample House 3105 12th St. N.E. land), built by Breuninger, Pederson Co., just completed. The attic, built-in brick coal bin, concrete front porch and spacious sleeping porch, oak floors throughout, hot-water heat and The new Mount Pleasant home of the Riggs National Bank branch will be opened Monday. to the bullding RIGGS-TOMPKINS PROJECT SUCCESS Construction at 14th Street | and Park Road Justifies | Hopes of Its Promoters. : are being made. Near completion of the $1,000,000 joint bullding project of the Riggs| | National Bank and Charles H. Tomp- | | kins at the northwest corner of 14th | and Park road marks a milestone in | the business and realty development of the Mount Pleasant section, ft was | pointed out today in connection with the announcement of the opening Monday of -the new Riggs Bank branch on that corner. The operation ls credited with being the first business building de- velopment of large proportions in Mount Pleasant. It was undertaken by the promoters and owners in the belief that the future of the com- munity warranted the erection of a substantial structure, with a view later, if necessary, to adding enough stories to carry the edifice to the height limit fixed by the District zoning regulations. Six Stores Rented. That the operation was justified from an investment standpoint is testified to by the disclosure that six of the stores fronting on lith st t in the Riggs Bank building have been rented, in addition to about 20 per | cent of the office space. There are twenty-four offices in the bank build- Ing and a like amount of floor space has been rented to one tenant. There are also two stores on Park road. | An interesting feature of the proj- {ect is the announcement that the | Radlo Corporation of America is pre- | paring to erect two 100-foot towers | for radio antennae, one on the bank The corporation in- TR g { fora building. on 12th St. Northeast (Brook- and contain 6 rooms, tiled bath, convince you that these homes Realty Co. Phone M. 3174 ROWS INSPECTION BAN.K. AT 14TH STREET AND PARK ROAD NEARLY DONE. Finishing touches tends to establish a great broadcast- ing station in the bank building, simi- lar to that in Aeolian Hall, New York city, and it has leased five offices for that purpose. Boosts Aectivity. Mr. Tompkins' building, the Strat- ford building, contains eight stores fronting on 14th street and six front- ing on Monroe street. There are 14,000 square feet of floor space in the struc- ture, much of which already is occu- pled Designs for the joint project were drawn by George N. Ray, local archi- tect. The Charles H. Tompkins Com- pany was the builder. Since the establishment in that sec- tion of the Riggs-Tompkins enter- prise a noticeable increase of activity in real estate and business circles has taken place, it is pointed out. This activity also has been boosted by the initiation of construction on Moore's new Tivoli Theater, at the northeast corner of 14th street and Park road. Dress Swollen Window Jambs With Linseed Oil Nearly every householder has bad occasion to lose his temper when the window sash stuck. The most frequent cause of tight win- dows is moisture, which on enter- ifig the unfinished edge of window sash causes it to swell or twist out of shape. The best remedy is oil applied to the edges of the sash. Lin- seed oil should be applied until it soaks well into the wood. The frame jambs also should be given a coat or two of ofl. In painting or staining a door it is essential that the edges be covered as well as the surface. Whenever necessary to trim or shave the edges after the door is put up always see that they are properly covered as_before. This is necessary for any kind of awood and especially for ‘soft woods or veneered woods a Yood ed woods of any Painting should be done prop- erly. An inferior paint properly applied will stand up better than 4 high-grade paint smeared on. DESCRIBES REALTY MARKET FEATURES Business Properties of Most Importance for Investment, Says Thomas Bradley. Real estate as an investment fleld is divided into certain well defined groups or classifications, Thomas Bradley, local realtor, told members of the Y. M. C. A. real estate class this week. He analyzed each class and referred particularly to the soundness of realty investments in Washington. 3 Business property in first-class lo- cations, according to Mr. Bradley, are considered the highest form of real estate Investment. The conditions under which business propertles are rented * frequently provide that the tenant maintain the property and, in some instances, pay certain of the fixed charges, such as taxes, insur. ance, etc. This results in the prop- erty producing a definite and fixed in- come, which {s not affected by stress of business depression or other eco- nomic disturbances and affords the investor a definite and permanent in- come. In connection with the vast in- crease in population in the city of Washington due to the war condi- tions, it was shown that business al- most Immediately developed to meet the new situation. with the result that business locations materially en- hanced in value and certainebusiness districts had been further extended. Some streets that up to recently were considered high-class residential sec- tions are now fast being improved by business property construction, and are gradually being merged into the business section proper. Growth of Chain Stores. The development in recent years of the chain store system whereby cer- tain _corporations establish stores in the principal _clties throughout the country has brought in a new and distinct type of tenant, Mr. Bradley sald. A very interesting feature of the growth of the chain store idea is the method used by them in determin- ing desirable locations. In this con- nection he stated that the current of trafic was considered an important feature in determining the desirabil- ity of given locations. This phase of the matter has been o highly devel- oped that it is now possible for the chain store interests to accurately de termine the amount of rent that the can afford to pay in a given location. This is based on the estimated gross business considered possible from the number of persons that pass a given point within a given period of time. The modern apartment house, which is almost an economic necessity when ‘well located, properly constructed and intelligently managed, {s also a high- class investment. Within recent years the development of apartment houses has reached a very high state of proficiency. Regulations govern- ing the construction of apartments as promulgated by the zoning com- | mission permit theé maximum of com- fort to the individual apartment dwellers. An apartment house is subject to depreclation and obsoles- cence, the same as any other charac- ter of building, and for this reason it Is necessary for owners to accu- rately charge off a sufficient sum an- nually to insure their invesment over & term of years. Expensive Homes. In discussing residence properties as investments, Mr. Bradley stated that expensive residences do not pay §1,567.000 BUILDING PERMITS FOR WEEK iChamber of Commerce Home Among Biggest Projects on Inspection List. Building operations costing vestors more than $1,557,000 were recorded this week in the office of the municipal building Inspector. The largest projects approved were the home for the United States Chamber of Commerce, Connecticut avenue and H street, and for the board of temperance, prohibition and publie morals of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 1st street and Maryland avenue northeast. The list of permits follows: C. H. Tompkins, to build warehouss, rear 805 Dennison street; cost, §: 000. A. Loeffler Provision Company, to bulld garage, Anacostia and Benning road; cost, $6,000. A.C. Block. to bulld, 1305 Holly street; cost, $6,500 Lacy & Belt, to build, 4th street; cost, $15,000. F. J. Means, to repair, consin avenue; cost, $2,000 G. B. Bryan, to build, 4805 Colorado avenue: cost, $73,000. Chamber of Commerce of the United States, to build office, 1611 H street; cost, $1,000,000. Max Spector, to build, 1224-1225 Jackson street northeast; cost, $5,000. Board of temperance, prohibition and public morals, M. E. Churck, to build office, 1st and Maryland avenue northeast; cost, $350,000. F. L. Hess, to bufld, 1323 Jackson street northeast; cost, $6,400. Penn Oil Company, to build store, 1500 18th street; cost, 35,500 E. S. McGrath, to build, 2221 King place: cost, $7.000. ell, to build, 2125 Conduft cost, $5,000. . Earnest, to bulld, 3708 Hunt- Ington street; cost, $18,000. “Eat and Grow Thin.” Mrs. Skelton—Yes, I keep slender although I eat everything that's put before me. Woodbe Slimmer—How do you e to do it? Skelton—Where I board they put preciou: le_before me. { — i1~ 3512-3816 1513 Wis- 22 as an investment, and this is due to the fact that they are constructed to be used by the owners as homes for long periods of years and do mnot reach the investment market. Rows of small houses have been somewhat profitable as investments in past years, but, due to the high cost of construction and other eco- nomic conditions, they at present are not considered 'especially desirable as Investment. The housing shortage due to the increase in population in recent yearsmlso has resulted in with- drawing a large proportion of re dence properties from the investment {fleld Tenants who heretofore rented | have purchased properties on install- ment payment plans in large num- bers and this, naturally, has ma- terially reduced the number of resi- dences that were formerly carried as investments. At the next meeting of the class the subject of zoning regulations will be discussed by Maj. Raymond A. | Wheeler, executive officer of the zon- ing commisaion. I = PETWORTH Good News for the New Year Dunigan’ s “Big” Six-Room Homes 4th and Varnum Sts. N.W. Are Now 30 ea T I NEW APARTMENT, NORTHWEST Splendidly planned new brick building, low operating expenses; 12 apartments of 4 and 5 rooms and bath. Rents, 'ss:.suoo per annum. Trust, $42,000. Price, ,000. CORNER ON 16TH ST. 12 apartments, all rooms facing street. Annual rental, $10,350, priced at a figure that makes it a very attractive invest- ment. SMALL APARTMENT, CLOSE IN Close downtown, northwest, 4 aparte ments, 3 rooms and bath each, janitor's quflz‘r;y and Mha !;lot-mm ::-t. lectricity, hardwoo loors, modern. ;rice. $17,500. $2,500 cash. STORES ON 14TH ST. . Busy uptown section, 6 store es, corner 39x125, others 19x125 to 15-foot alley, zone second commercial. Values advancing rapidly. Price, $130,000. CONNECTICUT AVE. LOT .Chevy Chase, D. C, northwest corner SECOND COMMERCIAL ZONE 14,697 square feet in second commercial zone, adjacent to B. & O. railroad, for sale or will improve for responsible tenant on lease. NDUSTRIAL GEORGETOWN z,flls‘n:;n&emfee'. -!'nd:hnrri'nl zone, brick can, al g Snap at $1.00 per foot. i NINTH ST. NEAR L Two-story brick building, 24 feet wide on lot 138 feet deep to 30-foot alley; also 2-story brick garage, hot-water heat, electricity, other features. Bar- gain at $32,500. GARAGE, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Location close to center of apartment house area, greatest density of Home, 4303 4th St. N.W. Open Until 9 P.M. NOTE—These particular Homes are wider and the rooms and porch-s larger than the average 6-room house. Nothing. Left Out But a Whole Lot Put In See These Homes Sunday Without Fail 'FIRST TIME OFFERED—LIBERAL TERMS - Take 16th Bus to Grarit Circle and Varnum streets, or 9th street car marked Soldiers’ Home to 4th street. - D. J. DUNIGAN l321» New York Ave. $500 AND UPWARD CASH MONTHLY PAYMENTS 1801-1847 Monroe St. N.E: Phone Us 1700-1720 E St. S.E. 813 and 815 F St. N.E. 532 9th St. N.E. 509 and 511 14th St. N.E. 307to 319 L St. NE. - with population; reinforced concrete build- l‘ng. 50x100, Mu:d t'o carry nidmm:;l lory; now re Pfi:y" 97.500." lor $350 per month. CORNER ON UPPER IMTH First commercial, values mounting fnfi 6 room and bath brick, 2-story an Conn. ave, and Legation st, close to basement house, semi-detached; base- business development. Price, $1.00 per men® now rented for $50 month, foot, Owner keaving city. This will go quickly. wALL&N E. 813 15th Street N T