Einstein house renovations approved

By Jennifer Potash
For The Princeton Packet
Tuesday, May 1, 2001

       The Princeton Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment has given the go-ahead for renovations to take place at the Mercer Street house where renowned physicist Albert Einstein spent his last years.
   Eric Maskin, the Albert O. Hirschman chair of social science at the Institute for Advanced Study, and his wife, Gayle Sawtelle, will purchase the Einstein house at 112 Mercer St. from the institute.
   The project required a bulk variance for the expansion of an existing back porch as well as variances for side yard setbacks, which the Zoning Board granted Thursday, said Vice Chairman Charles St. John.
   Last month, the borough Historic Preservation Review Committee endorsed the preservation plan but did not comment on the bulk variance, which must be decided upon by the Zoning Board.
   The proposed renovations would expand the back porch and add some gingerbread detailing on the front of the house and an additional trellis to the back porch.
   The Einstein house underwent a number of changes, some before Einstein lived there and some after his death, according to Jeremiah Ford, a partner with the architecture firm of Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, which reviewed the plans for the institute.
   The downstairs layout is peculiar because of alterations made to accommodate a huge dining table for banquets when Einstein resided in the house.
   Furniture still in the house from the period when Einstein lived there will be preserved, Mr. Ford said.
   The applicant will go back to the Historic Preservation Committee for review on some external features such a third-floor dormer window and issues concerning replacement of window shutters, Mr. St. John said.