Watergate Penthouse Renovated

Posted on Nov 7, 2011

Leslie Westreich, grandmother of 11, renovated a Watergate penthouse overlooking the Potomac River. With the help of architect Errol M. Adels, Westreich created a space perfect for showcasing her collection of art and antiques. The apartment was left open to create a gallery of the breathtaking views of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Memorial.

Adels explained: “She (Westreich) described her desire for a warm, intimate space that would also provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.” He added, “We had the chairs covered in a Manuel Canovas silk velvet which we embossed using a technique called gauffrage. It’s a labor-intensive process, but its subtle effect cannot be duplicated.”

D.C. Real Estate Prices

Posted on Sep 11, 2011

Some D.C. properties near where Leslie Westreich lives sell for more based on who the owner is. Certainly, any property owned by a past president, by an Onassis or someone of that ilk will drive up prices.  Apparently, however, Dominique Strauss-Kahn doesn’t fall into that category.

Trying to see his three-bedroom Georgetown home, the Monetary Fund director and high-profile sex assault defendant, isn’t getting more from his fame.  Washingtonians simply don’t see his name as an allure, either for good or bad reasons.  As Ruth Horn, a sales associate at DC Real Estate said, “There’s a lot of notoriety in DC, and he’s just — we just don’t love him enough to really care if he lived in the house. Probably the house that Jackie Kennedy owned in Georgetown, that would affect the value somewhat.”

Strauss-Kahn wishes, however, that this lack of notoriety would pass off to the French as well.  Back at home, the French media has reported that a frenzy of paparazzi is surrounding Strauss-Kahn everywhere that he goes since coming back to his country.  He’s even had to call the police about it.

Too bad such interest isn’t being seen in the town where Leslie Westreich owns!

Leslie Westreich’s Renovated Apartment

Posted on Jun 30, 2011

Leslie Westreich, former psychotherapist and grandmother of 11, recently renovated a penthouse in Potomac with the help of architect Errol M. Adels.

According to Home and Design: “The formal dining room, a study in elegance, opens from the gallery. Adels installed decorative antique iron gates found at a Paris flee market at the room’s entrance and upholstered the walls in a soft celadon-toned fabric from Boussac. The burled maple dining table is from Westriechs’s collection as a nearby marble-topped Edgar Bandt Art Deco table that displays her collection of antique silver.”

The More Recent Projects of Errol M. Adels

Posted on May 13, 2011

Errol M. Adels is an architect and interior designer who lives in Middleburg, Virginia. Some of his more recent projects include a home and a polo stable in Virginia, a new pavilion at Berryville, a home at Great Falls, and a home in Bethesda, Maryland. Another interesting project was the Watergate penthouse, owned by Leslie Westreich.

Adels renovated the entire interior of the condo, opening the rooms to the magnificent view of the Potomac River, as well as creating the perfect environment for Ms. Leslie Westreich’s collection of European antiques.

Leslie Westreich’s Apartment Complex Views

Posted on Mar 5, 2011

One of the reasons Leslie Westreich “made an immediate offer” on the penthouse in which she currently resides was because she “loved the incomparable views” it offered.  One of these is the Rosslyn skyline which has been termed the “center of cutting-edge growth.”  Indeed, as a business center, Rosslyn, Virginia can be proud of its huge amount of office space (over 8 million square feet) and as a residential area, there are more than 6,500 homes and a variety of urban parks and restaurants.  As well, for those visiting the area they can choose from 2,100 hotel rooms.

Leslie Westreich’s Apartment Views

Posted on Feb 26, 2011

One of the most stunning aspects of Leslie Westreich’s home is the views.  One of these is the Washington National Cathedral (officially known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul).  This is an Episcopal Church cathedral in Washington DC, situated at Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenue in the northwest.  As Westreich explained so simply on one of the reasons she purchased the property “I love the incomparable views.”  This cathedral actually marks Washington DC’s fourth tallest structure. Today it attracts around 400,000 visitors per year and enjoys a congregation of a staggering 800, a few years ago ranking third on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

Enjoy The Palisades

Posted on Feb 19, 2011

If visiting Leslie Westreich’s apartment, be sure to take in the views upriver toward Key Bridge. If you get there at just the right time, you will be privy to outstanding sunsets along the Palisades as well as Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center on the east. 
The Palisades – a row of steep cliffs – span north from Jersey City (where they are referred to as Bergen Hill) around 32 km to Nyack, New York.  They are said to be “among the most dramatic geologic features” in New York City, “forming a canyon of the Hudson north of Fort Lee,” and a vista of the NYC skyline.  They have been termed “rocks that look like rows of trees” by the Lenape.

Westreich’s Apartment Décor

Posted on Feb 12, 2011

Much of the theme of the décor of Leslie Westreich’s apartment surrounds the neoclassic era.  For example, there is a three-paneled trompe l’oeil scene of Pompei along the rear wall of the living room.  Four eras are covered by Pompeian styles and can be depicted by different Roman mural paintings.  It was August Mau – an archaeologist for Germany – who excavated wall paintings at Pompeii. 

The different styles of Pompeian styles have enabled those researching the eras to make distinctions on buildings and décor and times in Roman art.  Through the paintings one could also understand a lot about the area’s prosperity as well as tastes when various styles were dominant.
But what the huge frescoes really set out to achieve was to somehow lessen the claustrophobic feeling inside the Roman rooms that had no windows and thus were dark.  This wasn’t necessary in the case of Westreich’s apartment but the use of this art still brings with it a genuine sense of hailing from the neoclassic era.

Leslie Westreich’s Potomac View

Posted on Feb 5, 2011

Leslie Westreich enjoys the “incomparable views” offered by her condominium, especially from the Potomac River.  There is much to see on a daily basis on this River, but a few months ago it enjoyed some extra festivities. 
While hundreds gathered around to get a good view, Westreich needed only to stay put to enjoy the 11th Annual Burke and Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights!  The event – which took place at the end of 2010 – attracted over 50 vessels this year, some of which were decorated in a most creative fashion.
But it was Patriot Dreams, led by Capt. J. Gason’s that stole the heart of the judges, coming in first place.  Win or lose it didn’t matter; those like Westreich who were privileged to enjoy such a spectacular view were all winners that night.

Leslie Westreich Renovates at Washington D.C. Complex

Posted on Jan 29, 2011

Leslie Westreich recently renovated a Watergate penthouse to suit her needs and to showcase her collection of art and antiques. She was aided by Errol M. Adels in the project. Together they created an open gallery which displayed the spectacular views of the Potomac River, sunsets along the Palisades, the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Memorial.

Adels explained a bit about Westreich’s antiques and requirements for the apartment: “She described her desire for a warm, intimate space that would also provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.” They certainly made a big effort to do just that. “We had the chairs covered in a Manuel Canovas silk velvet which we embossed using a technique called gauffrage. It’s a labor-intensive process, but its subtle effect cannot be duplicated.”

Washington Penthouse Renovated

Posted on Jan 22, 2011

Leslie Westreich purchased a Watergate condominium with spectacular views of the Potomac River and other local landmarks. “When I entered this space, my spirit soared and I made an immediate offer. I love the incomparable views,” she said.

The layout of the space was very impractical, however, so Westreich contacted Errol M. Adels, an architect with whom she had previously worked. Adels understood that Westreich needed a “warm, intimate space that would provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.”

“In the end, we were left with the concrete floor and ceiling slabs and lots of bulky columns,” Adels shared. “We even removed all of the floor-to-ceiling windows so they could be replaced with a more sophisticated glass to control UV rays.” Adels then created a stylized backdrop for Westreich’s antiques.

Leslie Westreich Renovates Apartment to Display Artwork and Collections

Posted on Jan 15, 2011

Former psychotherapist Leslie Westreich purchased a Watergate condominium and had it completely redone. The penthouse, which rests atop the famous Washington, DC complex, was previously owned by former Virginia Senator John Warner and his wife Elizabeth Taylor.

“When I entered this space, my spirit soared and I made an immediate offer,” said Westreich. She added that she loved the breathtaking views. In order to have the apartment suit her needs, as well as her artwork and collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furniture, architect Errol M Adels widened the central hallway to form a gallery of the view. He also installed pilasters which imitate Art Deco structural pillars. Niches were created in order to display Westreich’s collectables such as silver items and majolica pottery. Of the view and her apartment Westreich said “I thrive on all this visual excitement.”

Watergate Condominium Renovated

Posted on Jan 8, 2011

Leslie Westreich purchased a Watergate condo which was once owned by former Virginia Senator John Warner and his wife. The space needed to be renovated, however, so Westreich consulted with architect Errol M. Adels, with whom she had worked in the past. Adels explained that Westreich “described her desire for a warm, intimate space that would also provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.”

Adels created a large central gallery which left every room exposed to the breathtaking view. The architect decorated the formal dining room with antique iron gates, and upholstered the walls in a soft material from Boussac. The maple dining table and marble topped Edgar Bandt Art Deco table both added to the effect as well. Outside, there is a wrap-around terrace, which Adels and Westreich furnished with glass-topped tables with neoclassical bases. Of the view, Adels said: “It’s a living landscape.”

Leslie Westreich Renovates Washington Apartment

Posted on Dec 31, 2010

Leslie Westreich, former psychotherapist, golf enthusiast and grandmother of eleven, lives in one of the most unique, open condominiums in Washington, DC. Previously owned by the former Virginia Senator John Warner and his wife Elizabeth Taylor, the apartment is one big gallery overlooking the Potomac River, the National Cathedral, the skyline of Rosslyn and other local landmarks.

The layout of the apartment was very impractical, however, so she contacted architect Errol M. Adels to help with the renovation. Adels had worked for Westreich before, and he explained that he “had just closed an international practice, which kept me on planes a great deal of the time, and had returned to Washington to establish a smaller office when Leslie called.” He added that “she described a desire for a warm, intimate space that would also provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.”

Watergate Penthouse Redone

Posted on Dec 8, 2010

A Watergate penthouse was redone so that every room had a view of the Potomac River and local landmarks. Leslie Westreich, former psychotherapist and golf enthusiast, fell in love with the apartment immediately. After the purchase, she teamed up with architect Errol M. Adels and renovated the entire space, creating a central, open gallery which granted every room a clear view of the river.

Adels had worked with Leslie in the past, and so was familiar with her taste. He recalls that when she called the second time “she described her desire for a warm, intimate space that would also provide a backdrop for her artwork and superb collection of neoclassical, Biedermeier and Art Deco furnishings.”

Leslie Westreich former Psychotherapist – Watergate House

Posted on Dec 8, 2010

Leslie Westreich, former psychotherapist, golf enthusiast and grandmother of eleven, moved into a Watergate house which was once owned by John Warner, the former Virginia Senator, and his wife Elizabeth Taylor. “When I entered this space, my spirit soared and I made an immediate offer. I love the incomparable views,” she stated. And the views are indeed incomparable. The penthouse is located atop the famous Washington, DC complex built in 1965, which overlooks the Potomac River, as well as numerous local landmarks.

The layout of the space was a disaster, though, and so Leslie, with the help of architect Errol M. Adels, renovated the entire thing. The new house included a central hallway widened to form a gallery, which connects to all the rooms in the apartment. All the rooms were left open to the view. A wrap-around terrace was furnished with chairs and tables for extra living and dining space.