The Speculating Architect — When the great development of
the London suburbs took place some years ago, many speculating
builders made large fortunes. Since then the demand for suburban
property has fallen off, and the builders have turned their attention
to flats, many again most successfully. When they erected suburban
villas, they did not require the services of architects — that is apparent,
alas ! to all ; but when they commenced to build in London, there arose
difficulties of light and air, the Building Act, the adjoining owner, and
the many little worries unknown to a man when developing an entire
suburban estate. The architect became necessary to him. That put
the architect in touch with speculation, and he started schemes of his
own. The result is the speculating architect of to-day. He looks out
for a site, obtains the refusal, prepares plans and a financial statement
showing the profit to be made, lays his figures before financial people,
and if approved he is instructed to proceed, and the building is erected
by tender in the usual way. On the other hand his scheme may not
be approved ; in that case he has done his work for nothing, and
commences looking for a better site. There are several architects who
do little business except of this nature ; their experience with fiats is
great, and their planning is usually good. Sometimes flats are erected
by a method that makes it difficult to discover where the speculating
builder leaves ofi", and where the speculating architect begins.
Catering Flats. — -Great care should be taken by an intending
purchaser of any of these buildings, as the figures are sometimes very
misleading.
