Unwanted Company at Luxury Condos
Some Residents Are Perturbed by Ritz-Carlton's Response to Mold Problem

By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 2, 2002; Page C05

A downtown enclave of swank condominiums and penthouses that houses some of
Washington's most wealthy and famous has come under attack by furry black mold.

For the past year, the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton -- described as the "upper limit
of refinement" in Washington living when it opened 18 months ago -- has been beset
by plumbing leaks and encroaching mold that several residents say is making them
sick. In recent days, the problem has expanded, with the developers of the 162-unit
complex acknowledging that the scary black growth is more widespread and chronic
than they first thought and pledging a condo-by-condo inspection and renovation.

It is quite a comedown for the luxury property, where the smallest one-bedroom
condominium sells for $625,000 and buyers can spend up to $5.3 million for a rooftop
penthouse with dual Jacuzzis. Basketball legend Michael Jordan, Wizards coach Doug
Collins and soccer star Mia Hamm, among other celebrities, make their local homes in
the Ritz-Carlton's West End complex, at 22nd and M streets NW.

The Residences boast marble baths, Viking gas ranges, mahogany parquet floors and a
fitness center steps away. Numerous services await at the touch of a button, at any hour.
One can summon a housekeeper, order a tray of caviar and toast points, or have the
concierge plan the day's itinerary.

But behind as many as one-third of the condominiums' walls, moisture was building up
from plumbing leaks. And the resulting mold began to lurk and multiply.

"It's really been traumatic, because the mold is everywhere," said Carol Anderson, a venture
capitalist who had to live elsewhere for the past five months while all her condominium walls
were ripped out and the unit renovated. "It's behind every bathroom and washing machine
and faucet -- anywhere there is moisture."

Several residents said that Millennium Partners, a New York group that developed the
residential high-rise in a partnership with the adjoining Ritz-Carlton Hotel, has not comported
itself as an uncompromising owner of a premier property. Instead, several residents say,
Millennium delayed and stonewalled for the better part of a year.

Matthew Hall, corporate communications director for Millennium Partners, said the company
moved quickly to act as soon as it knew the nature of the moisture problem. The group sent
out a letter to all owners two weeks ago explaining its remediation plan: to inspect every unit's
plumbing connections, rip down walls and renovate as needed.

"Until now, we have dealt with [leaks] on a case-by-case basis," Hall said. "But as it's come
to light, there is more than we anticipated, [and] we have decided to go to every unit. It's not
like we're trying to avoid the situation."

Residents disagree. Those who had flooding in their units said it was only after contractors
ripped out exterior drywall and discovered interior walls thick with black mold early this year
that Millennium began to take some responsibility. A group of residents hired their own
environmental consultant to analyze the extent of the problem; some say they have been
diagnosed with toxic mold exposure, and others say they are weighing a lawsuit.

"Their response has been pretty poor," Anderson said. "To this day, they don't understand
the magnitude of the problem, but I think they realized now that if they don't handle this
problem, they'll be sued."

Millennium said it has reached a financial settlement with one owner over the mold problem.

Bovis Construction was the general contractor for the complex, though several residents
blame the problem on a plumbing subcontractor that Bovis hired. Bovis officials could not
be reached to comment yesterday.

Not all condominium residents are up in arms. Several interviewed Friday and yesterday
said they have experienced no leaks or troubles and adore living at the Ritz. Several other
residents would not comment, saying the matter should be resolved in private and not
through the media.

Jordan's publicist could not be reached yesterday to determine whether the basketball
star's unit has any mold or leaks. A family friend of Collins's said the coach and his wife,
Kathy, are aware of the mold problem and are following the developments closely.

Sales at the Residences have been slower than expected since it opened, and Hall said
the leaks have probably contributed to the lull. Of the 162 condominiums that opened in
November 2000, 70 remain unsold, and some have been offered for rent instead. Hall
said Millennium will focus on solving the mold problem before aggressively marketing
the properties again.

Staff writer Steve Wyche contributed to this report.

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