8008 Wisconsin project hedging on apartments vs. condos in Bethesda (Photos)

The late conversion of the JBG Companies' 7770 Norfolk project from apartments to condos was the first indication of a potential comeback in the downtown Bethesda condo market. Now, Douglas Development is acknowledging it can't entirely rule out the possibility its current 8008 Wisconsin luxury apartment project could end up going condo.

At a community meeting last night, representatives for the applicant said the future of Bus Rapid Transit on Wisconsin Avenue - and the specific property demands it might ultimately place on their development site - aren't yet clear. But the County is pushing the developer to turn over right-of-way on the Wisconsin side of the project for BRT, and a potential BRT station at Cordell Avenue, anyway.

Never mind that this fanciful BRT right-of-way could never be extended all the way down to Bethesda Avenue as BRT proponents are claiming. So why punish this one property owner for a looney plan that has no chance of ever coming to fruition (homes and a historic movie theater stand in the way, to name just two examples of immovable objects that block the extension of the right-of-way)? I haven't heard a credible answer yet. But Douglas is going to comply with the demand.

Diagram shows how building will
bump out above the street-level lobby,
to provide room for BRT on
Wisconsin Avenue

After last night's meeting, BRT isn't the only fuzzy question in the future. With the condo market showing signs of rebound downtown, could 8008 Wisconsin flip in that direction? Emily Vaias, attorney for the applicant, said the project is proceeding forward as rental apartments. One person noted that the building will have only 40 residential parking spaces in the underground garage, which would likely be untenable to sustain the building's needs if the 140 units were converted to condos (people paying premium prices for luxury condos not only usually own cars, but also expect a parking space to come with their unit).

Vaias said an additional floor of parking could be added, or additional "parking systems," in the event of a condo conversion.

Speaking of conversions, the units with bedrooms and living rooms on the south side of the building will have east and west-facing windows, in case the southern windows have to be bricked-up should someone build a high-rise next door (former Bruce Variety building, for example).

The majority of the 4500 SF of retail space will still be taken up by a restaurant planned for the corner of Woodmont and Cordell Avenues. Douglas is counting on the lobby entrance to enliven Wisconsin Avenue, but the Cordell Avenue side of the property will pretty much be dominated by the garage entrance and loading dock area. What Cordell will have, is a bike lane, which Douglas is facilitating by donating a 5' right-of-way for that purpose.

Externally, the aim of the exterior design will be to utilize gray masonry, and there will be a sweeping curve to the structure on the Cordell side.

Inside, expect 1 and 2-bedroom units; no studios or 3-bedrooms are planned. There will be about 2 2-bedrooms per floor. The rooftop club level will incorporate a pool, spa, club room, game room and fire pit.

The applicant's next step will be to submit its preliminary plan, which was held up by the BRT absurdity. Douglas would prefer an extension so it can file the preliminary plan and the site plan together, Vaias said. If all goes according to plan, construction would begin in mid-2016, and take about 18 months to complete.

Staging for the construction site would be along Cordell and Woodmont Avenues.