Ezra and Jessica Glass. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.

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Jessica and Ezra Glass are taking Georgetown’s traditional charms into new territory.

It’s Georgetown’s side streets and unexplored corners that occupy the mental real estate and imaginations of Jessica and Ezra Glass, the creative forces and owners of Atelier Verre, the design-build firm behind many of the newest, hippest restaurants in town, as well as Hamilton Court, a mini neighborhood of retail, restaurant and residential offerings coming to 31st near M Streets NW.

“We moved here because we love its essence, its intimate scale and its history,” says Jessica. “But we realized that much of the attention has been focused on a very specific population — students and tourists — and the national brand experiences that they were already familiar with.

“We wanted to go in a different direction,” she continues, “curating local businesses for local residents, whose needs and lifestyle we felt had been overlooked. We wanted to create a Georgetown that all Georgetowners could enjoy.”

Think: a nouveau Left Bank on the Potomac, rich with restaurants, galleries and other attractions that enhance “Georgetown’s unique vibe and spirit.” 

To bring this vision to life, the Glasses concentrated their attention on side streets and other underutilized spaces which, they felt, offered the vintage charm, new business potential and, importantly, more affordable rents than the neighborhood’s famed main streets.  

After years of experience in Georgetown’s high-end residential market, their unique insights into the intricacies of permitting and building restoration led inevitably to the creation of Atelier Verre (“studio glass” in French), a full-service firm designed to help prospective retail and restaurant tenants overcome the challenges inherent in a historic redevelopment — from overall design and construction (bringing old inventory up to technical speed and performance) to preservation (working with the Commission of Fine Arts and other city agencies to uphold architectural traditions within a modern frame).  

Their singular mix of aesthetics and business acumen underscores a “Build It and They Will Come” philosophy focused on transforming overlooked sites into thriving spaces with maximum destination appeal. As Jessica notes, “When you make Georgetown as compelling as possible, the whole ship rises. And that’s a return that benefits everyone.”  

Jessica and Ezra Glass. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.

Their creative handiwork can be seen throughout Georgetown, from Michelin-starred restaurants and cozy cafés to larger developments. Their hospitality clients can well be credited with boosting our community’s amazing post-Covid recovery, with treats for the eye as well as the palate.

You can dine up and down the avenue, starting at Levantine café Yellow and proceeding to Apéro, a champagne bar with a globally recognized wine and caviar program; Reverie, which boasts one Michelin star; South Block, offering organic meals with fair-trade sourcing; and Mediterranean eateries Green Almond Pantry and My Little Chamomile. For specialty drinks, there’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters.     

Also on the books is Hamilton Court, a mixed-use development that builds upon a storied past as a 1930s neighborhood gathering place with a well-known coffee shop, the Hamilton Arms. In Atelier Verre’s vision, restaurants and local lifestyle services (e.g., hair and nail salons, Pilates studios and child care) will be set around the perimeter of a soon-to-be landscaped courtyard that invites visitors and residents alike to linger and connect in a convivial atmosphere. 

Plans for six restaurants are in the works, including Spot (a neighborhood hangout) and the Hawaiian-influenced sushi and chirashi restaurant Two Nine (expected to win its own Michelin star).

“We really focus on the kind of retail that requires a human-to-human interaction,” Jessica explains. “What we look for are businesses that aren’t going to be cannibalized by an Amazon, e-commerce platform or AI. The personal touch is key to our brand and to the tenants we cultivate.”   

At the other end of the Glass continuum is LXIV, their very high-end lifestyle and hospitality division, which restores and rents out luxury villas that come with such extras as chefs, stylists, butlers, party planners and logistics managers — in short, every comfort and amenity the well-heeled guest could possibly desire. Exquisitely furnished and maintained, these are the ultimate short-term rentals for members of the “one percent,” who crave privacy and exclusivity. Imagine “Succession” (but minus the scheming). 

The first home in the collection is on 30th Street, a brick-and-clapboard federal known for its distinguished lineage, magnificent gardens, sparkling pool and extensive square footage inside and out. Now a masterpiece of gracious living, it is simply and elegantly designed for short stays and special events.   

Using 30th Street as a template, LXIV plans to roll out the luxury homestay concept to New York City, Los Angeles and other upscale markets. 

That said, the Glasses affirm that their heart remains in Georgetown — devoted to the people, their future and current tenants and the hidden properties that await Atelier Verre’s magical touch. 

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Glass Houses: Jessica and Ezra Glass | The Georgetowner