JBG restarting 7900 Wisconsin/Trader Joe's development in Bethesda (Photos)

The JBG Companies' redevelopment of a large site fronting Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues in Bethesda that was tabled in 2015 is back on. Demolition permits have been requested for 7900 Wisconsin Avenue, 7924 Wisconsin Avenue, 7934 Wisconsin Avenue, and the vacant Autodentz facility at 7909 Woodmont Avenue. If you've followed my reports on this project over the years, you know JBG requested these same permits back in 2014, before calling off the demolition and halting the project.

At delivery, 7900 Wisconsin will be a 17-story, luxury apartment building with 475 units, grocery store-anchored ground floor retail, underground parking, a rooftop pool, and a bikeshare station. It will include a through-block cut-through for pedestrians between Wisconsin and Woodmont.

7900 Wisconsin
rendering by JBG

Some neighboring property owners tell me they have been informed that JBG will be beginning work on the project sometime this year. Obviously, demolition of the existing structures is the first step. Clark Construction is reportedly out as the contractor for the project.

JBG had reached a preliminary agreement with Trader Joe's to anchor the 7900 Wisconsin development in 2014. When the project was halted, JBG said it was seeking additional financing. Others speculated that Fitness First, a tenant in the existing 7900 Wisconsin office building, had a longer lease than JBG realized. Fitness First has claimed to be expanding its space, and has been on a social media advertising blitz recently.

Once demolition permits are in hand, the Fitness First controversy will be settled one way or another.