The Ebenstein Scholarship Founders
Two generations of Capital Commercial Properties, and the family behind the revitalization of Eden Center.
Douglas Ebenstein
Douglas Ebenstein serves as the President and CEO of Capital Commercial Properties, Inc. and Eden Center, Inc. He leads the retail leasing and development efforts throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Douglas earned a BA in Economics from Brown University and a JD from Duke University School of Law. While at Brown, Doug competed on the varsity tennis team and ranked number one in singles and doubles during his final two years. Before attending law school, he played professionally in the ATP and achieved a world ranking of 300.
In 1978, Douglas joined his father, Norman Ebenstein, at Capital Commercial Properties and helped drive the company’s expansion. Continuing the family tradition, Doug was joined by his older daughter Lisa in 2015 and his younger daughter Lori in 2020.
Doug maintains a strong community presence and supports Brown University’s athletic programs and tennis team. He is a longtime member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton and a supporter of the Morgan Pressel Foundation. He remains an avid senior tennis player, ranking as high as 3rd in singles and 5th in doubles for his age group. Doug lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Robin. In his spare time, he enjoys shooting sporting clays, playing tennis, and spending time with his grand-dogs.
Norman Ebenstein
Norman Ebenstein was born in New York City in 1928 and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, in a Jewish household that emphasized education and family.
Norman graduated from Brown University in 1950 with a degree in Economics. At Brown, he played on the varsity baseball team and met his future wife, Shirley Gorlick. He then earned a JD from the Boston University School of Law and practiced as an attorney before founding Capital Commercial Properties.
He founded Capital Commercial Properties in 1961 and served as its president and CEO for over 50 years, leading the company into his mid-80s. He led the creation and revitalization of several shopping centers, mixed-use developments, and malls. One of his key achievements was the revitalization of Eden Center, a Falls Church, Virginia shopping area that remains a cultural and social hub for the Vietnamese American community.
Norman was an avid tennis player who placed in the top 20 in New England’s 45-and-over rankings. A philanthropist, he donated to many causes and created a charitable foundation to continue that legacy. He enjoyed spending time with his family and cruising the world. Throughout their 65-year marriage, Norman and Shirley raised two children, Doug and Jaime, along with several Labrador Retrievers.
Norman passed away in 2016, leaving his legacy in the hands of his son Douglas Ebenstein, later joined by granddaughters Lisa and Lori.
Their Legacy, in Scholarships
Each year, two Vietnamese American students receive a $5,000 Ebenstein Scholarship for servant leadership.
