REAL ESTATE SECTION December 8, 1928 WINNETKA TALK 71 GREAT BUILDING RECORD WILMETTE ACHIEVEMENT All-time Mark Clinched, Figures Showing $2,197.239 Spent in Period of 8 Months Although Wilmette's building per- mits took a numerical tumble in Nov- ember, there being registered a total of only thirteen for an expenditure of $111,713 for improvements, this fig- ure 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. Hav- ing stated that Wilmette is certain te establish an all time record for build- ing 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 improve- ments in twelve months. It is not surprising that many ex- pected the limit had been reached. Cer- tainly those predictions seemed justi- fied in view of the fact that in the year previous building activity had account- ed for $1,652,515. There's quite a wide gap between the figures for the two years. But gaze on what has been accom- plished 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 is- sued by C. C. Schultz, Superintendent of Public Works run to a total of $2,- 197,239. With four months to go 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 November and De- cember should show a decline of size- able 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 residences 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 $850. One of the new Wilmette residences is to cost $28,600 according to the per- mit. 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- Chancel of New Winnetka Church The architect's art is demonstrated in this picture showing an interior view of the new Congregational church which is soon to be constructed. The new church which will be one of the handsomest in the Chicago area is to cost $650,000. tects were Hauser and Marks. Houlihan, Other Permits Issued Other permits were taken out for the following residences: Brick Veneer and garage at 114 Gar- rison street in the Sheridan road sub- division for C. W. Johnson, $11,000. Brick veneer and attached garage at 827 Lake avenue for E. Fitzgibbons, $15,000. a Tile and brick with attached garage at 632 Forest avenue for A. F. Adams, $20,000. Brick veneer at 1100 Mohawk road, Indian Hill Estates for K. W. Dirkes, $17,000. Brick veneer at 1931 Schiller street for George T. Mailfield, $8,000. Brick house on Birchwood lane for Hibert J. Schwall, $9,000. R. E. Crosby Goes Hunting; Seeks Game in the Ozarks R. E. Crosby, President of the Crosby Realty Co., 566 Center street, Winnetka, accompanied by Al Eckart, of the Crosby Realty Co. sales staff, left last Friday for a short hunting trip, in the Ozarks. Their objective point is White Plains, Mo., where they are to be joined by a party of friends in their quest of wild game of various kinds, with which that region abounds. J. D. AUSTIN COMPANY MOVES The real estate office of John D. Austin and company has been moved from 899 Linden avenue, Hubbard Woods, to the Tower Court building. WHITMAN APARTMENTS OFFER SOMETHING NEW Winnetkan to Provide Distinctive Homes in Indian Hill Build- ing--Called Experiment Roland D. Whitman is a long time resident of Winnetka. He moved to the village when it wasn't the munici- pality 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 Northwest- ern 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 interest- ing. And now the study has been completed and the problem solved. The solution is to result in a hand- some new building that may be marked down as distinctive and ditferent from any other structure that has been erected in a commercially zoned dis- trict. 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 build- ings 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 this to say about it yesterday: "I studied otiten and long to work out a plan that would answer one question uppermost in my mind. I wanted to build an apartment building with first floor shops,--not any kind of apartment or any kind of shops-- and there was a genuine problem. I wanted the apartment to be not just apartments but homes with the envi- ronment that any good home can give. To accomplish this much study was necessary, and now 1 have accomp- lished it." ' Just how well Mr. Whitman's plans have been worked out will be shown by the following description of the new building which will be of the court type and which will have Center street as its eastern boundary. The entrance to the court will be from the south off Hill Terrace. The uniqueness of the structure is quickly made apparent by the plans which show that the building on one side of the court will be three stories, while on the other it will be only two stories in height. The eastern wing will be three stories high. Harmonizes With Homes There is a reason for this, It was planned in this way so that it would more nearly harmonize with the homes to the west. That the apartments will not be just apartments and there are to be six- teen, is made evident by this informa- tion. The apartments will be four. five and six room in size. There will be no kitchenettes. and there will be no dinettes. And there will be no in- a-door beads. All rooms will be ten by fourteen feet or more in dimen- sions. The living rooms will be 15 by 24 (Continued on page 72)