· I ._ \.t. ~ ! : '" ' .. ' ,., -- ~ , . I ', 'l t. 1 '! <·, 1 REAL ESTATE -.: ... .· ~ SECTION W I L M E.-T T E L I FE December 7, 1928 GREAT BUILDING RECORD WILMETfE ACHIEVEMENT ~ Chancel of New Winnetka Church WHITMAN APARTMENTS· OFFER SOMETHING NEW Winnetkan to Provide Distinctive Homes in Indian Hill Building-Called Experiment All-time Mark Clinched, Figures Showing $2,197.239 Spent in Period of 8 Months Although Wilmette's building permits took a numerical tumble in November, there being registered a total of only thirteen for an expenditure of $111,713 for improvements, this figure fits so nicely into the total for the previous ten months that an all time record is clinched. In comparison with the November of a year ago the month just closed is behind exactly $73,606. But what is an item of this size when the figures for the previous months are taken into consideration? If the readers of this story enjoy a statistical narrative and there are many who have a keen interest in the march of progress started by this north shore village many years ago, they'll find a romance in progressive figures. Having stated that Wilmette is certain to establish an all time record for building activity in 1928, proof of this claim is given.. Proof in Figures Last year was a wonderful year in the building history of the village and it then was predicted that a peak had been reached, for the figures for 1927 were $2,276,538. More than two and a quarter millions spent for improvements in twelve months. 1t is not surprising that many expected the limit had been reached. Certainly those predictions seemed justified in view of the fact that in the year previous building activity had accounted for $1,652,515. There's quite a wide gap between the figures for the two years. But gaze on what has been accomplished in just eight months of the present fiscal year, which still has four months to run. To date, or for eight months to be exact, the permits issued by C. C. Schultz, Superintendent of Public Works run to a total of $2,197,239. With four months to gu what a great record will be established? Decline Not Surprising That there should have been a slump in November is not surprising. There are several reasons for this, not the least important being unfavorable weather. But aside from the weather it is natural that Novembew: and December should show a decline oi sizeable proportions. The figures, $111,713, seem very acceptable. But probably of greater importance than anything else in connection with the permit list for last month is the fact that $108,600 is for new residence~ and there are only seven at that. That they are to be fine residences is quickly apparent. In addition, five permits were taken out for garages for a total of $2,163. One alteration permit was for $8~0. One of the new Wilmette residenc<!s is to cost $28,600 according to the permit. It is to be a brick veneer and is to be built in the Indian Hill Estates section west of the Ridge. It is to be the home of William C. Black and it will be located at 1081 Ramona road: It will be one of the finest homes in the Estates section, which already is a section of fine homes. The archi- Roland D. Whitman is a long time· resident of Winnetka. He moved to the village when it ~asn't the municipality it is today and quickly became active in the welfare and advancement of village affairs. Among other things he purchased a tract of land in Indian Hill just to the west of the Northwe3tern right-of-way. · That transaction was negotiated fifteen years ago. Now to the story. For fifteen years Mr. Whitman had been thinking what he'd do with the investment. That long ago he began a study of this problem and found it mighty interesting. And now the study has been completed and the problem solved. The solution is to result in a handsome new building that may be marked down as distinctive and different from any other structure that has beeh erected in a commercially zoned district. The plans are now being drawn by Howard Bowen of Wilmette, who has "caught" the ideas of Mr. Whit-· man and is interpreting them in blue prints. It is stated that the apartment will cost one third more than other buildings constructed in commercially zoned territory. The figures were not given. Apartment an Experiment Mr. Whitman who is enthusiastic over this building venture, which is termed an experiment, had Hiis to say ahout it yesterday : "I studied often and long to work , out a plan that would answer one question uppermost in my mind. I wanted to build an apaftment building with first floor shops,-not any kind of apartment or any kind ot shopsand there was a genuirt-e problem. I wanted the apartment to be not just apartments but homes with the environment that any good home can give. To accomplish this much c;t\Hly was necessary, and now I have accomplished it." ' Just how well Mr. Whitman's plans have been worked out will be shown by the following descrii}tion of the new building which will be of the court type and which will have Center street as its eastern boundary. The entrance The archttect's art ts demonstrated m thts ptcture showmg an mtenor to the court will be from the south off vie,w of the new Congregational church which is soon to be constructed. The Hill Terrace. new church which will be one of the handsomest in the Chicago area is to cost The uniqueness of the structure is $650,000. _ quickly made apparent by the plan~ which show that the building on one ·. . . .. . . .I I I tects Marks. were Houlihan, Hauser and f Other permits were taken out or the fQllowing residences: Brick Veneer and garage at 114 Garrison street in the Sheridan road sub-· division for C. W. Johnson, $11,000. . k d tt h d Brtc veneer an a ac e garage at 827 Lake avenue for E. Fitzgibbons, $15,000. Tile and brick with attached garage at 632 Forest avenue for A. F. Adams, $20,000. Brick veneer at 1100 Mohawk road, I~ian Hill Estates for K. W. Dirkes, $ ~~k veneer at 1931 Schiller - street for George T. Mailfiel<J, $8,000. Brick house on Birchwood lane for Hi bert J. Schwall, $9,000. Other Permits hsued R. E. Crosby Goes Hunting·, Seeks Game in the Ozarks side of the court will be three st<'ries, while on the other it will be only two c;tories in height. The eastern wing · wilt be three stories high. . R. E. Crosby, Prestdent of the Harmonizes With Homes Crosby Realty. Co., 566 Center street, ~· Ther _e is a reason or this. It -~ ,.,...., Winnetka, accompanied by Al Eckart, planned in this way so that it woul~ of the Crosby Realty Co. sales staff, more nearly harmonize with the homes 1 ft 1 F n.day for a sh <;>rt h !lntt.ng . to That the west. . e. ~st the apartments witt not be just tnp, t.n the. Ozar~s. Thetr obJective apartments and there are to be sixpomt ts W~t~e Plams, Mo., where. they teen, is made evident by this infonna~re to. be JOtned b~ a party of fn~nds tion. The apartments wilt be four. 1~ thetr 9uest c;>f wtld gam.e of var10us five and six room in size. There wilt kmds, wtth whtch that regton abounds. be no kitchenettes. and there will be . And there witt be no in... 1 no dinettes. J. D. AUSTIN COMPANY MOVES a-door beads. Alt rooms will be ten The real estate office of John D. bv fourteen feet or tr.ore in dim enAustin and company has been m~ved siTh. tivina rooms . will be 15 by 24 from 899 Linden avenue, Hubbard e ,., Woods, to the Tower Cou.r t building. (Continued on page 72) f_ I