BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SOLAIRE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS (PHOTOS)

Construction remains in the early stages at the future site of Washington Property Company's Solaire Bethesda project. The first apartments in this 139-unit, 12-story high-rise are expected to be delivered in February 2016. True Food Kitchen will be the anchor tenant of the ground floor retail space.

But here's some more-immediate positive news from the site: the previously-closed sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue has reopened to the public, a great boost for pedestrian safety.

This site at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue was formerly home of the historic Eastham's Servicenter for almost 90 years, first as an Esso, then an Exxon. Eastham's auto repair and maintenance services moved to the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road when this property was acquired by WPC, and the Solaire was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board.

The building in the background is Crescent Plaza, one of several residential buildings in Bethesda developed by Nathan Landow.