Poetic Obituaries: The Carr Co. initially lost a competition

to restore the Willard in 1978, but when the winning company ran out of money, the Carrs took over the renovation in 1981. It was not the first preservation effort in Washington, but the landmark project helped define the mix of old and new in the District's downtown redevelopment.

Mr. [Richard W.] Carr, who was fond of writing and poetry, wrote a history of the Willard Hotel with his wife, as well as two children's books set at the Willard.

from The Washington Post: Developer Richard W. Carr dies; helped restore D.C.'s Willard Hotel

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