Thursday, February 04, 2016

First renderings of future retail/restaurant space on Cordell Ave. in Bethesda

The architecture firm of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. has revealed the first renderings of what the old Leahy Plumbing building will look like, when a shell and core renovation there is completed. In addition to larger glass in the front facade, and moving the front entrance around to the side, what is currently a drive/alleyway alongside the building will become a patio.

Conley Management, Inc., which is leasing the property, says the space could be used as a restaurant, retail store or fitness center. They expect the 4916 Cordell Avenue project to be delivered by summer. It is currently available for lease.
Renderings courtesy Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc.
All rights reserved.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

More likely it will remain old and crappy on the outside, and become yet another massage parlor, like several other properties nearby.

Anonymous said...

How can anyone get excited by a Karr designed building. All terrible. I wish they would combine this with the Heckmans property next door to make a usable sized restaurant

Robert said...

Oh god this is horrible!! What a complete waste of yet another prime location in Bethesda. Greenhill and Karr are doing a huge disservice to Woodmpnt Triangle with these one story low density buildings with renovations that just raise rents but don't contribute much more to the area. Prices of the properties go up with these half-ass renovations too. Terrible. Just terrible.

Boo Greenhill. Boo Karr.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a good reuse of the existing building. Modern and appealing update.

What's the complaint?

Many of the buildings in the Woodmont Triangle have this unique design with the long alley/driveway

Anonymous said...

I just hope the new owner calls their business 'Tenant Sign,' or else Karr will be forced to actually work.

Anonymous said...

This low density facelift (lipstick on a pig has been said many times before about Karr and Greenhill collaborations) doesn't do Bethesda any good. Rent prices go up with the renovation. Property price to buy and to build up something useful later goes up. The designs aren't very pretty (albeit slightly better than the old building that was there). Doesn't add any usable space or density. All adding up to a harder to lease space and for a tenant to keep in business.

Anonymous said...

@9:20. Yes and yes

Anonymous said...

I don't believe this is a Greenhill property, so let's let them off the hook here.

I like the redesign. Look, no one is putting up a high rise there. Many properties would have to be assembled to allow that.

Anonymous said...

Assemblage to add density becomes that much harder with higher priced knockdowns.

Anonymous said...

Agree

Anonymous said...

This is a Conley property, not a Greenhill property. Conley's properties tend to be ancient but unlike Greenhill's they are mostly occupied.

Anonymous said...

So why follow the Geenhil model with the Karr hire?

Anonymous said...

Is Conley the owner or just the management company?

Anyone notice the sign on the Conley managed property that Grapeseed is in with the typo?

Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to that old homeless shelter space with the uninspired Karr renovation that one of the Dyer commenters was promising had a NY themed retailer coming in to match the odd NY themed mural?

Robert Dyer said...

5:19: I would like to know myself! But the anonymous guy who seemed to have the inside info not only wouldn't share it, but has disappeared altogether from the comments section here. He could just say, "the deal fell through," or whatever. Inquiring minds want to know!

Anonymous said...

@ 5:19 AM - Those "commenters" were most likely Lenny G himself.

Anonymous said...

Face it R.D. on this one you were punked!

Robert Dyer said...

8:05: How was I "punked"? The work on the project hasn't even begun. These are drawings.