Evening Star Newspaper, August 8, 1925, Page 13

REATY ESTATE JULY CONTRACT RECORD SHATTERED LAST MONTH Increase of Constructon Over Same Month of 1924 Reported, Despite Slump of Summer, in States’ Statistics. TLast month’s construction contracts eached the highest July total on rec rd Contracts in the 38 Eastern tates (which include about seven- eighths of the total construction vol- ume of the country) amounted to $529,000,100. In only two previous months has this total ever been ex- ceeded—April and June of this year. The decrease from June was only 2 per cent, while the increase over July of last yegr was over 53 per cent. Where is usually a fairly considerable reasonal decline in July. Tast month’s record, according to the F. W. Dodge Corporation statistics, in- cluded $224712,500, or 42 per cent of all constru¢tion, for residential build- ings: $72,743,400, or 14 per cent. for public works and utilities; $67,165,900, or 13 per cent, for commercial build ings; $58.148,000, or 11 per cent, for industrial plants (including a $30,000.- - development in Ohio), and . or 11 per cent, for educa- Honal buildings (including large build- ing projects for Harvard, Yale and Pitisburgh Universities). last month's figures brought the | year's total of construction started to| date up to:$3,189.173,800, an increase of mearly 20 per cent over the first seven months of 1924. At the end of June this year was only 135 per cent | ahead of.last year Contemplated new work reported in July amounted to $702,431,300. This | Was an increase of 5 per cent over the amount reported in June, and 63 per| cent over the amount reported in July of last year. Broken. July building contracts in New Eng Jand reached the highest monthly total | on record. representing $38.259,300 | worth of new work started. The in crease over June was 36 per cent; over July, 1924, 95 per cent. The July building record included $20,456,500, or 35 per cent of all construction, for residential buildings; $13,416,200, or 23 per cent, for educational buildings | (including a $5,000,000 project for | Harvard University and an $1,000,000 profect for Yale Universit 533,100, or 17 per cent, for commercial bulld: 28,200, or 8 per cent, for pub. and utilities; $3,026.500, or 5 per cent. for industrial buildings. The July building volume brought New England’s total from the first of the vear to date up to $270,646,700, an increase of 31 per cent over the first seven months of last vear Contemplated new work rep Tuly amounted to only considerably under the amount of con- tracts awarded, an indication that the | current building volume is running ahead of the current demand. | New York State. Contracts awarded last .month in N pr State and northern New ersey amounted to $121,973,900. This was the highest July tofal on record for the district, being 30 per cent| greater than that of July, 1924, Last month’s contract total was practically equal that of June. It included the following {mportant items: $69,468,500, or 57 per cent of all construction, for residential buildings; $23,467,600, or 19 | per cent, for commercial bufidings; $8,152,000, or 7 per cent, for public works and utilitie: $6,246,800, or 5 per cent. for educational hulldln.’.’s.[ and $5.172,500, or 4 per cent, for in-| dustrial buildings. | Records | ted in $42,770.900, | The big July construction volume |Were $34,992,500, or 34 brought the total of work started | | construction | 700, | amount reported in June and in July | for residential |2 since January 1 up which is only 11 per cent behind the total volume of the first seven months of last year. On July 1 this district was 17 per cent behind last year. Contemplated new work reported in July amounted to $183.977,600, which is_not only considerably 'above the amount reported in June, but is more than double the amount reported in July of last year. Middle Atlantic States. Construction started last month in the Middle Atlantic States (eastern Pennsylvania. southern New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, District of Co- lumbla and Virginia) amounted to $48,271,900. This was an increase of 8 per cent over Juhe and of 18 per cent over July of last year. The total volume of this distrfct for the first seven months of this year has amounted to $325,071,800, which is a 20 per cent increase over the corresponding period of last year. Tast month's record included: $2 710,300, or 59 per cent of all constru. tion, for residential buildings; $5,398,- 700, or 1o $747,080,200, for commercial buildings; $3,701,500, or & per cent, for industrial buildings, and $2,368,800, or 5 per cent, for edu- cational buildings. Contemplated new construction re- ported in July amounted to $80,423,- a substantial increase over the of last year, Indicating building demand a continuing Record in Southeast. Last month’s building contract in the Southeastern States (the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana) amounted to $87,701,800, monthly total rict 18 per cent per cent district during the past seven months has reached a total of $422,824,200, an increase of nearly 19 per cent over the corresponding period of 1924 The July record included: $36,399,- 600, or 42 per cent of all construction, buildings; $16,470,800, or 19 per cent, for public works and utilities; $11,563.800, or 13 per cent, for educational bufldings; $10,322,500, or 12 per cent, for commercial build- ings, and $4,988,700, or 6 per cent, for industrial buildings. Contemplated new work reported for the Southeastern States last month amounted to $157.054,500. This was 5 r cent more than the amount re- more for thi Tune w recorded ase over 5 June and 68 per cent amount ported in than the last vear. Pittsburgh District. Last month’'s total of building tracts in the (western Pennsylvania, West V ginia, Ohio and Kentucky) amounted to $103,570,600, This was not only the highest July on record, but the | second largest monthly total on rec- ord, having been, exceeded only in March of this vear. The increase over June was 65 per cent; over July, 1924, 185 per cent. The big July vol- ume brought the total of construction started during the first seven months of this year up to $516,978,100, an in- crease of 60 per cent over the corre- sponding period of last vear. Included in last month's record ver cent of all (Continued on Fourteenth Page? the highest | reported in July of | Pittsburgh district | 11 per cent, for public works | | and utilities; $4,706,800, or 10 per cent, over July of last year, 53 | Construction started in the | Cottage for Bride Or Small Family Built of Stucco on Metal Lath—Design of Shingles Or Clapboard Suitable. Big, pretentious houses not for brides—not for the brides of today. For the home, like other important problems of life, has gone through the stages of evolution suggested by com- mon sense, through which all me- mentous questions must pass on their way to solution. The home of' today is, indeed, the nest, and_the big open is the play- ground, Thus we find the tiny struc- ture of architectura! beauty coming into its own—where work time is re- duced to the minimum and play time materially increased, and life lived more fully than of old. This little cottage was originally designed to be bullt of wood. a mate- rial most appropriate for this type house and the cheapest of all build- ing materials. The owner who builty this home we have photographed, however, has chosen the more last- ing material, stucco on metal lath. Perhaps he also chose it for its virtue of being fireproof, a quality desired by many. It has lost nothing of its beauty through the use of stucco, as it is toned so pleasingly that the bits of charming detail are brought out most. admirably, and the roof, toned to harmonize, hugs down close over the house in a most protecting sort of way - LIYIN * AND - NG M The front room may be aishop or studio, if such is needed! Or—as in this house—converted into a dining room. Or the side entry could be dispensed with, adding space to the kitchen for use as a dining room, if preferred. 4808 to 4840 7th St. N.W, —Petworth— —the Exhibition House Being 4814 Seventh St. I and captivating details. 38,950 59,250 Without To be purchased upon the Cafritz policy of moderate initial payments and easy terms—so easy they'll noti tax Garage T'S the climax of our operations in the picturesque Petworth section—and in their design we've incorporated new ideas; new features of arrangement; new standard of value. A won- derful panorama—for these Homes cap the summit of high eleva- tion—and stand out conspicuously in their commanding location With Built-in Garage your-ncome nor curb your living inclinations. The dimensions and arrangement of the six rooms are nptably The tiled baths have built-in fixtures; outlets at convenient points; unique. every housewife They'are Homes—not just a place in which to eat and sleep— but to enjoy and entertain and be happy in for a “lifetime.” Take 14th St call for you. or Georgia Avenue cars to a step to these splendid Homes. will appreciate. there are eflectric the fixtures and room decorations are in excellent taste; the hardwood floors and spacious closets The kitchens are marvels of appointment, with convenient pantries adjoining, and handy porch and there's a real, practical sleeping porch and a delightful breakfast porch—as well as an extra broad front porch. Open for Inspection—DBeginning Tomorrow— Sunday—~Every Day and Evening from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. crson St.—then it's only Or phone Main 9080 and sour auto will in the roof break the expanse with a beautifully curved line and at the same time give an air passage for the section under the roof. There are two ways of entering this little house. One in the front for main use; the other, the side and service entrance. The ice box is in this latter entrance and there is a | The tiny “eyebrow” windowsl small window just above the ice box | ment, however, was so treated that | | dining room separate, as so many do. | | | |1t | A Corner House 333 Bryant St.N.E. Six rooms, bath, hot-water hea { hardwood floors, clectricity, built | garage, large porches, a fine cellar, large rear yard. Price, $9,500, terms LACY & BELT 493 G St. S W. Virginia Homes Sunday Bargains—2 Charming Bungalows $4,750.00 Each Good sized rooms. attractive fireplaces. full basements with stationary tubs. water, sewer. electricity. nawly papered and painted. concrate ' sidewalks, lots 50x120. 20 ‘minutes to Washington bus or trollev. Liberal terms to responsible purchasers. These homes in attractive community settiement. A. C. ROBERTSON CO. 1319 F St. N.W. Phone Main 3909 Virginia Phone Alex. 24-F-1-2 P e Desirable new two-family £ apartments. First floor—2 £ rooms, kitchen and bath. Second floor—3 rooms, kitch- en and bath, large porches. Mass. Ave. SE. between 17th and 18th. Inspect these apartments and make your reservations early. Will be ready for occupancy in e very near future. B. F. SAUL CO. 925 15th St. N.W. Columbia Heights (Vacant) Harvard St, near 14th (East): a very excellent 3- story brick in good condition, consisting of 10 rooms, gas, electricity and steam heat; lot to an alley; one-car metal ga- rage. $15,000 Thomas J. Fisher & Co., Inc. 738 15th St. N.W. For Rent | which gives added light to the inside | ered lattice, with tiny curved top to hallway. The doorway between the match the “evebrow” window of the kitchen and the front bedroom, or|roof, on either side of the kitchen shop, may be closed and entire pri- | entrance door. It may be six or eight vacy will be assured this room. {laths wide and extend over to the This design was created originally | €dse of the last step, making a with the problem in mind of a re- |Secluded little nook where the vege- turned soldier or any man or woman | table peeling or mending may be who works at home. The arrange- |done. Your flower garden may be in | this section, affording an all-the-day slight changes would make the | Pleasure. house suitable for any who might| This house is heated by a one-pipe like the layout for a private home.|furnace, which is entirely suffictent Here we find this “shop” section | for perfect comfort in the coldest b the dining room and the|Weather. The width of the house is storage space upstairs made into a 32 feet and the depth is 43 feet. It third bedroom. When this is done !S an admirable design for a 50-foot the plan becomes an ideal one for|lot. the small family who desires the| The window hangings in such a house should be of the gayest—some soft, light material, indicative of the Summer of life and happiness. The Snttiie thotee | furnishings should be as few as possible, good in quality and sim- You will note that a cellar has |ple in design. been placed under the entire house. | Tnes arn: e mion ntTecls are One can scarcely realize the value of | \qiy “Atove all do not overlond & such a basement in the bungalow. | house of this type. It is entirely out becomes practically a mine of|of taste in any house, but a small convenience and may be used for a|house makes the fault more notice- thousand purposes. | anle. Let your imagination picture such! We have seen this house built of ded bits of beauty as a vine-cov- wood, with the shingles slightly rolled The large groups of windows make | this room one of the most attractive Recommendations Don’t Build Roofs :kbut Rose Roofs Command Commendation—— HERE is every reason to be very particular in the selection of your roof contractor—whether for new work ; or repair jobs—and what has been accomplished is the best clue to what you may expect. The biggest roofs in Washington—on private and public buildings are Rose roofs. The most satisfactory roofs on homes are Rose roofs. They are enduring—that’s the proof of our ability. The size of the job doesn’t make any difference— if we undertake it you’ll get Rose satisfaction. Company Phones North 847-848 13 “ORIGINALITY” CALLED BAD IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Expert Decries Present Confusion of Styles But Predicts New BY THOMAS HASTINGS. Why has not America an archi tecture of her own? Many times we American architects are asked that question, and why is it that so many of us who have studied in Paris seem inclined to inculcate the principles of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in American architecture? One very strong reason is that so many people seem to fail to realize that in solving the problems of mod- | ern life it Is not as essential to be natfonal, or American, as it is to be modern, and of our own period. In Europe the local expression in build- ing material, landscap colors, social 'customs and sonal characteristics of the people do much to record the vitality of historic architecture. Especially it is so in France, Italy and England. “Originality” an Evil With Americans an excessive anx- iety to be original is one of the causes of no end of evil. Whoever demands of an architeet a style not in keeping with the spirit of his own time and locality is re- sponsible for retarding the normal progress of the art. Surely modern architecture should not be the de- at the edge, giving the effect thatch. The result is magical. If intense interest can be roused in the quest for individualfty in your home building problems, vours whll be an easy task and you will be will started on & road which leads only 1to contentment. Since the prices of material labor vary so materially in different localities, we do not attempt to five an estimate as to cost, but suggest that you consult your local builder, who can give you a definite estimate as to the costs of vour exact needs to_be installed in this design. For information as to the bufilding plans of this design, No. 28-1% send a stamped and self-addressed en- velope to Real Estate Editar, The Star. (Copyright George Matthew Adam of Washington’s most beauti homes. Containing/seven mill with six miles of improved str The Triangle of —between Connecticut, Mass our | nd | Renaissance. plorable creations of the would-bs | style inventors, the revolutionists | who have penetrated the world of art | farther than they have the world of politica. Not only do many archi tects slavishly foliow the character of some selected period, but they deliberately take entire motives of composition from other times and other places to patch together and ap. ply them to our new conditions and new life. ery man's conscience must speak 1{01’ itself as to whether such pla | glarism {s right, but while the moral question has very little to do with art, yet such imitative work. tho | seemingly successful. positively stifi | originality. fmagination and evers effort to advance in the right di ‘rpulon, | « The question of supreme interest ix What influence has life in its different phases upon the development of archi | tectural style? Style Follows Time. | Style in architecture is that method of expression in the art which has varied at different periods and dis tricts almost simultaneously through- out the civilized world. Modern archi tecture should not be the work of the illogteal architect, living in one axe and choosing a stvle from anoth without rhyme or reason, to suit his own fancy or that of his client. Im | portant and indisputable is the fact, | not generally realized, that from pre- | historic times each age has built in | one, and only one, general style. Since | the 'mound builders and cave dwellers no people, until modern times, | attempted to adapt a style of a past epoch to the solution of a modern | problem. In such attempts Is the root of all modern evils In each succes. sive style there has always been a | distinctive spirit of cotempor n | life from which its root drew nourish- | ment. But in our time there is this confusing selection from the pas Why should we not be modern and have one characteristic style express- ing the spirit of our own life? His- | tory and the law of development alike | demand that we build as we live ‘ontinued on also ever Massachusetts Park ul residential section of detached ion feet of forest-covered eets. land, Includes what remains of Increasing Values chusetts and Cathedral avenues Over 200 homes from $15,000 to $200,000 built and under con- struction. Actugl improveme $8,000,000. Wooded villa sit homes, with lots from 50 to 1 St. and Cathedral Ave. Middaugh & nts and home values exceed ¢és, lots, central and side hall 15 feet front. Park Office, 32d Shannon, Inc. 3 ESTABLISHED 1899 Riggs-Semmes Bldg., Dupont Circle, Potomac 2200 PENED this Sunday for the first time, these charmingly modern residences present many distinguishing attractions. Not the least of these is their mimitable location, in the exclusive new resi- dential community of WOODLEY PARK, bounded by Woodley Road, Klingle Road and Connecticut Avenue, and surrounded by some of the Capital’s most extensive and beautiful estates. On the north, Klingle Parkway affords a direct park drive to the junction of Rock Creek and Zoological Parks, while Connecticut Avenue on the east provides one of the finest boulevard routes into Washington over the “Million Dollar Bridge.” A striking feature of these new homes is the harmonious but undeniably distinc- tive architecture achieved in their grouping. Each EXHIBIT HOUSE Number 2937 Cathedral Avenue Open This Sunday Untit 9 P.M: 1430 K Street dwelling is delightfully indiv: Introducing the first group of individually de- signed, semi-detached homes in the carefully restricted community of WOODLEY PARK idual; yet all have the large living room with open fireplace and tile hearth, the sunlit dining salon with p; roomy but convenient and with many intriguing innova aneled-effect walls, the fully equipped kitchen tions in culinary com- fort, the three large bed chambers and fine tiled bath with shower on the second floor, the maid’s room with separate bath and storage room on the third floor, the large built-in and fireproof garage, the bright cellar with Jaundry t special hot-water heating ubs and lavatory. the plant with automatic storage water heater, the roomy front and rear porches with generous yard space, the tastefully planted lawns, cement sidewalks and wide paved alley. ARDMAN Main 3830 “We House One-tenth of Washingtan's Population™ THESE HOMES Are Priced At $17,500 On Accommodating Terms