OGB Stalls Ein Home Design

Venture capitalist and Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein’s difficulties continue on the home renovation front. The newly married Ein wants to add a family room, a larger kitchen, a few bedrooms and an underground garage to his home at 2920 R St., NW.

Formerly owned by the late Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, the 1864 house is landmarked by the Old Georgetown Board and is part of the Georgetown Historic District. Also, his plans have been opposed by neighbors, including well-known Georgetowner Calvin Cafritz.

A new design by local firm Outerbridge Horsey won support from the Citizens Association of Georgetown and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, but the Old Georgetown Board remains steadfast in its resistance. The members of the board, all architects, questioned the garage scheme on the basis that it could upset the historic landscape. They also disapproved of the proposed larger windows and took issue with a planned two-story addition on the east side, calling it “too big.”

At a meeting early last month, Ein expressed irritation at the board, which has rejected a number of his renovation plans. The board insisted that Ein’s renovations could eventually move forward, with member Richard Williams saying, “We have a willingness to entertain this, if it was done well.” Ein has said he will continue to push for approval.