Evening Star Newspaper, September 21, 1929, Page 13

REAL ESTATE hg znzning %iaf‘ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2‘1, 1929. SUNDAY MORNIND FDITION wimn CITES TRANSFORMATION OF CONNECTICUT AVENUE Development of Retail Area Brings 386 Per Cent| Rise in Value in 20 Years, Assess- ment Survey Shows. BY DON S. That Connecticut avenue occup WARREN. 3 ies a unique and sfrategic position in the down{,wn section of Washington, that this thoroughfare from K street to Floridd avenue has undergone a remarkable transforma- tion during the past few years, are some of the conclusions based on a survey of this street made by Story & Co. The survey covered an exami nation of the property values of those parcels of the ground fronting on Connecticut avenue between K street and Florida avenue and other significant features in con- nection with the changes which have taken place on this avenue during the recent years. That prop and. in many instances, with great amination of assessed valuations erty values have increased steadily rapidity is apparent from an ex- of Connecticut avenue frontage over a period of more than twenty years. The values recorded are for ground only. 1t is interesting to note that the av- erage rate of increase over this period for all properties fronting on Connecti- cut avenue between K street and Dupont Circle was 386 per cent. The increase for all properties situated on the east of the street in this section was 411 per cont. The gain on the west side_was 361 per cent. Above Dupont Circle, on Connecticut avenue, and as far north as Florida avenue, the increase for all properties was 311 per cent. The east side in- crease was 341 per cent and the west side increment was 281 per cent. In computing these figures due al- Jowance was made for the change in basis of assessment from two-thirds of the value of property to 100 per cent of the value, which change took effect after 1922, Assessment figures for 1920-30 in dicate that the areas of highest asses: ed values are located at Dupont Circle, at the junction of Florida avenue and Connecticut avenue, and below Dupont Circle, around the corners of K street and Connecticut avenue, and on the east side of the avenue, from K street to M street. The seven pieces of prop- erty on Connecticut avenue with the highest assessed valuation per square foot, are the southeast corner of M strect, $50 per square foot; the north- east corner of L street, $40; the north- | east_corner of DeSales street, $40; the northeast corner of K street, $38; the northwest corner of K street, $37; the northeast corner of N street, $35; the northwest corner of L street, $35. Five of these corners are located on the east side of the avenue and two of them are on the west side. All seven parcels are situated south of Dupont Circle. Square 90 Heads List. The square having the greatest in- crease in assessed valuation for prop- erties fronting on Connecticut_avenue is square, number 90, situated between S streef, Connecticut avenue and Florida avenue. Inasmuch as this square contains but three lots facing on Connecticut avenue, a more representa- tive example of increase, it is asserted, | would be square numbered 159, which | faces Connecticut avenue between M| and N streets on the east side of the | street. The indicated increase here | for the period was 523 per cent. There has been much discussion re- | cently as to the relative rates of growth in preperty values of F street frontages as campared to those of Connecticut avenue. While it would take an_ex- tended investigation along these lines | to determine the facts with any de- gree of accuracy, it is interesting to Know the results of a comparison made of the growth in assessed valuations of the seven parcels mentioned -above, between 1908-9 and 1929-30, and the increase in assessed valuations for the same period, of the seven pleces of round fronting on F_street, whose 929-30 assessed valuations, per square | 0ot, were the highest for that section. Comparison of Valuations. Total assessed valuations for the two groups for 1908-9 were compared with like valuations for 1929-30, with the result that it was shown that while the F street properties had increased in assessed valuation three and one-half times, the Connecticut avenue front- ages had increased a little over six time: This is but a general indica- tion. It is pointed out, however, that this does not mean that these Connecticut avenue properties have greater square- foot assessed values than the F street properties. The comparison is a rela- tive one, denoting rates of increase over this period. In fact, the highest square- foot assessed value on Connecticut ave- nue is §50, while on F street the high- est is $18: Commenting upon the survey, John P. Sto jr., said t was not difficult to establish the fact that Connecticut avenue values are increasing; and at what rate, but more puzzling, was the problem of determining the nature of the development that is taking place jon this street and what its future trend 1s likely to be. To aid us in a consid- (eration of these matlers, we took an inventory of all the stores located on Description I You must see Sample House Now Connecticut avenue and noted the type of business carried on in each place. This data, together with our other rec- ords, helped us to formulate some gen- :xral conclusions regarding these ques- ons. Move to Escape High Rents. “The movement of business houses to locations on Connecticut avenue | came about originally no doubt from a desire to escape the higher rents im- posed on downtown properties by a rapid increase in real estate 'values. Merchandising history shows that mi- grations of retail businesses to new lo- cations usually follow the routes of greatest traffic into the higher class residential sections. Connecticut ave- nue, being the lane of greatest traffic into the northwest section of Wash- ington, it followed quite naturally that business concerns chose this street. A glance at the map will show that Con- necticut avenue, from Dupont Circle to K street, is somewhat similar to a bottle neck, through which flows traf- fie—pedestrian, automobile and street (Continued on Fourteenth Page.) FOOTER PURCHASES STORE PROPERTY Forty-six-Foot Frontage at Connecticut Avenue Is Sold by Stead. N Btisiness property at 3333 Connecticut avenue has been purchased by Albert A. Footer, who previously had leased the store there for the Footer's delicatessen, it is announced by Weaver Bros., Inc., which handled the negotiations. The property, which has a frontage of 46 | feet on the avenue, was acquired from Robert Stead. The sale price was not made public. ‘Weaver Bros. alsc report that the ‘Wardman Corporation has sold the business property at 1361 Connecticut avenue to a local investor. The prop- erty, having a frontage of 28 feet, con- tains two store rcoms and two apart- ments. ‘The Palace Laundry has leased store quarters in the Chancellor Apartments, 214 Massachusetts avenue northeast, through the office of Weaver Bros, managing agents for the property. It is announced also that the Catholic Char- ities has leased a suite of rooms in the Homer Building, Thirteenth and F streets. LANK WOODWORK CO. ADDS TO HOLDINGS Purchases Approximately 1,600 Square Feet of Ground Ad- joining Its Mill Site. A. B. and R. B. Lank have purchased for the use of the Lank Woodwork Co., Inc., approximately 16,000 square feet of ground adjoining their woodwo: mill at 61 K street southeast, it is an- nounced by Boss & Phelps. ‘The Lank concern in May, 1927, pur- chased the plant and business of the Woodruff Manufacturing Co. at this address, moving there from their for- mer business home at Fourteenth street and Florida avenue. The additional land, purchased to provide for future enlargement of the plant, contains three brick structures. The purchase price was not made public. s Inadequate these Homes_ Open for Inspection 5 5709 Colorado Ave. N.W. (Between Ma n and Montague Sts.) Price, $14,250 Beautiful finest construciion, (our bedroogss, breakfast room, largs attic, Frigidalre, locasion, most convenient, exceptionally well planned, two baths, open fireplace, cheerful pantry, with complete kitchen, garage. CARL H. SMITH Owner—Builder Insurance Bldg., 1 Mational 1046 1 a 5th & I Sts. N.W. Or Any Broker Massachuserts pAm( West of Kalorama -Across Rock Creek. Mass. Ave. entrance at 30™ St. One Square east of New British Embassy “The National Cathedral on west Sites for Individual Homes Priced from *L50 per sq ft. up Within 2 miles of White Flouse Location and contours can never be duplicated in heart of Washington again- i Dri;:: M’gmmn_g o MIDPAUGH AND SHANNON Inc, 1435 K St Nagoss k | C. W. Wright Residence Follows 15th and 16th Century Types. HILLSIDE FORMS FRAME FOR HOME Wrought Iron and Stone Join to Enhance Charm of Simplicity. ‘The residence of Mr. and Mrs, Charles W. Wright, now under construction by the Kennedy-Chamberlin Development Co., on Brookside drive, Kenwood, is of the Italian villa type, closely following the many fine examples of similar resi- dences bullt during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in the hills around Florence. Its setting is typically Flor- entine, with the hillside and tall trees as & background and the slope continu- ing to the south of the house. ‘The house is a combination of stucco and limestone and has a variegated roof of Italian mission tile with wide over- | hanging eaves and exposed rafter ends. The windows throughout are of the casement type. All ornament and decoration on the exterior is véry sim- ple and restrained and carried out only in the use of limestone and wrought iron grills and balconies. Walk Leads to Broad Terrace. ‘The entrance walk leads to the broad south terrace, paved with flagstones and surrounded by a limestone balus- trade. This terrace is accessible both from the sun room and living room. A flight of low broad steps leads to the entrance. portico, with its stone col- umns and groined ceiling. The en- trance hall and dining room both open onto this terrace. An ornamental wrought iron door leads to the entrance hall, which is also the stair hall. It is floored with faience tile and the stair rail is of wrought iron. Through a large deep arch on the left and down four steps is the living room. The ceiling in this room is high and groin vaulted in the Italian manner. ‘The large Italian mantel is of Traver- tine marble and the hearth of faience tile. Beyond the living room to the Dining Room Is to Right. At the rear of the stair hall is a smaller passage with the lavatory and coal room to the right and leading di- rectly to the library, which is also di- rectly connected with the living room. The mantel in the library is of red gum, as are the bookcases with which the walls are lined. This room also opens to the sunken garden. To the right of the hall is the dining room. This room, opening onto the sunken garden in the rear and the por- tico on the front, is on the center axis of the garden, and the vista from the portico through this room is terminated by a fountain treatment at the rear of the garden. ‘The breakfast room adjoins the dining room and also faces the garden. ‘To the right of the dining room is the service portion of the house, the kitchen and pantry being on the front, with the service porch to the rear forming a covered passage to the garage. A stairway from the porch leads to the servants’ quarters over the garage and to the main second floor. A stucco wall (Continued on Fourteenth Page.) with first floor lavatory. Beautiful Drive w Robert L. McKeever, #resident south is the sun room, floored with tile. | ideal size and 2 luxurious baths. The third floor has wide stairway and 2 finished rooms and bath. Avenue one-half block, turning Florentine Front view (upper) and rear elevation of home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Wright, being erected at Kenwood, Md. IMPORTANCE BY JOHN To understand the need for individual in the community. With a realization of this fact and an_appreciation of the intricate and technical phases of real estate practice, it is apparent that those who under- take the responsibility and obligations of rendering real estate service should possess the fundamentals of good char- acter and at least a degree of com- petency. Yet the false impression that capital, ability and hard work are not neces- sary as prerequisites to success in the LICENSE LAW Petty, Secretary of Washington Real Estate Board, Explains Need for Statute and Factors That Contribute to Situation. HOME & GARDEN b} N OF REALTY OUTLINED A. PETTY, Executive Secretary, Washington Real Estate Board. | Congress has been asked to enact a real estate license law for the : District of Columbia. This law, which has been constructed with great care in respect to its details and principles, offers a distinct and help- ful service to the people of Washington and a definite measure of protection to legitimate business, without any additional tax burden or interference with municipal finance. New legislation generally is designed to meet an existing or ex- pected need. It is hoped the proposed real estate brokers’ license law will meet in a rather comprehensive manner a need that exists and reaches a very large section of the citizenry of the Nation's Capital. this type of legislation, it is only necessary to consider the seriousness and importance of real estate practice and the extent to which it affects directly or indirectly every vocaticn of real estate results in many entering this field who would profit more by remaining out. The apparent ease of earning a living in the real estate business without the investmer.. of capital attracts the uninitiated. Visions of quick profits, mistaken ideas of the requirements and the simple procedure necessary to embark in the real estate busiress brings to this fleld of endeavor many misfits and failures " (Continued on Fourteenth Page.) PRIZE WINNING HOUSE DESIGNS TO BE PUT ON EXHIBITION HERE Plans for a public exhibition here of the 39 winning regional house designs in the National Better Homes Architec- tural Competition, which was sponsored in this area by The Star, are being completed. ‘The exhibition is to be staged in a spacious room on the first floor of the jeadquarters building of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, H street and Connecticut avenue, on Oc- tober 3, 4 and 5, through co-operation of officials of that organization. Included in the exhibit wili b» three designs awarded prizes in ihe vational competition as well as those in The Star’s area. which included the District of Columbia, Maryland, Lclaware, Vir- ginia, West Virginia and North Caro- lina. Large photographic reproductions of the original drawings and floor plans of the houses will be shipp:d to The Star early next week, and these will ve set up at the national chamber head- quarters for the inspection of all interested. Designers winning the three awards in The Star's area were: Samuel J. Col- lins, Staunton, Va.; W. N. S. Pugh, Baltimore, Md., and Forrest W. Colile, Asheville, N. C. Four house designs in this area awarded honorable mention were those of B. C. Flournoy, A. I. A, Washington; Louis R. Moss, Washing- ton architect: Louls Philippe Smithy and Ernest R. Gilbert, West Roanoke, Va., and Eldred Mowery, Washington. ‘The three national contest winners were: H. Roy Kelley, Los Angeles, Calif., first prize; Harrison Clarke, Los If You Believe in the United States—Y ou Must Believe in Washington 3917 OLIVER ST. One Square West of Chevy Chase Circle CENTER-HALL COLONIAL BRICK This is, in our opinion, one of the finest new house offerings on the market today—center hall, all brick, detached Colonial house, irway to second floor, which has 4 bedrooms of The lot is 60x125, with 2-car brick garage. The section is one of magnificent and costly residences. Price Only $22,750 Open Tonight and All Day Sunday Till - 9 P.M. & Each Evening During the Week from Chevy Chase Circle on Western left into Oliver Street. 1415 K St. N.W. Nat'l 4750 8% Soover Viee! FreSlatne MASS. AVE. 3101 Garfield St. 25,500 12th Street N.W. Corner of Alaska Ave. “16th Street Hgts.” Unusually attractive new Co- lonial brick, nine rooms, two baths, two-car garage. Includes four real bedrooms. Combines an practical plan with superior construction, on a spacious level lot, in an exclusive neigh- borhood. The price at $18,500 defies comparison Open Saturday afternoon and evening and all day Sunday. In- spect it without fail. Drive out 16th Street to Alaska |l Ave.. continue on Alaska Ave. to 12t! St. ‘and the property faces yor ibe right. Mitchell Quick 506 Tower Bldg. Angeles, second prize, and Amedco | Leone of Detroit, third prize. - The jury of awards in The Star's area, which will sponsor the exhibition of ‘the prize drawings here, was com- posed of Frederick Vernon Murphy, dean of the School of Architecture of Catholic University, chairman; Horace W. Peaslee, president of the Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects; Louis Justement, a past president of the local architects’ chap- ter; William C. Miller, a past president of the Washington Real Estate Board and chairman of the hiume builders' and subdividers’ division of tae National As- sociation of Real Esiate Boards: Felix Mahony of the National School of Pine and Applied Arts; Edwin W. Schueider of the firm of Schneider-Spliedt Co., g\::lders, and a representative of The % exceptionally the Open Saturday Evening and Sunday 10A. M. 109 P. M. Housing Conditions Scored. LONDON, England—The West- | minster survey group has just issued another of its housing reports. It is certainly a very terrible indictment of | housing conditions in_Southwark, says | the Builder, London. The local medical | officer of health pillories 11,000 houses. In practice the housing acts simply break down. The Corporation of the 1418 Eye St. N.W. rooms, maid’s room and bath. Oil burner. two cars. Drive out Cleveland Ave. to 32d, where Garfield intersects, and turn right on Garfield to house at end of street. .. Sansbury NL S C(‘M PANY INC. Exclusive Agents EXTRAORDINARY PARK VALUE DETACHED brick Middaugh & Shannon built residence adjoining the 17-acre estate of Secretary Stimson, offered for immedi- ate sale by a retired naval of- ficer who is leaving Wash- ington . . . Situated on a beautifully having a frontage of 80 lot e, house contains five bed- three baths and landscaped Brick garage for > Natl. 5904 City of London is specifically named as the owner of defective property. Metropolitan 3788 sPiowin. Qaneans 6803 47th St., Chevy Chase, Md. $10,975 A charming new home of English design, which has just been completed on a_lot we purchased nearly eleven years ago. The ad- joining illustration shows the first-floor plan. On the second floor vhere are three delightful bedrooms, unusually large closets and tiled bath with built-in shower. Complete in every detail including open fireplace, large side porch, bronze screens, on paved street and sidewalk. A remarkable value offered for the first time and may be purchased on convenient terms. Drive out Wisconsin Avenue to Leland Street (just beyond Bradley Lane), turn east on Leland Street to 46th Street, ome block north to Willow Lawe, and west one short block to property. “PrLo - 6312 Georgia St., Chevy Chase, Md. Near Connecticut Avenue $12,950 Stone, Brick and Stucco Construction This new home of English design simply must be per- sonally inspected to realize its charm and sppointments. Six- well planned rooms, each having cross ventilation, with such features as a master bedroom with three windows, six closets on the second floor, tiled bath with shower, open fi‘reyl-ee in living room, bronze screens throughout, inlaid linoleum on kitchen floor, garage, beautifully landscaped lot on paved street with sidewalk. Drive out Conmecticut Avenue to Bradley Lame, turn right (east) ome long block to Georgia Street, thew turm left two short blocks to property. M. & R. B. WARREN Realtors—Builders Prawe * G803 ~ 4718 STREE]S PHONE WIS. 2875 Evening