Brookfield's sketch plan documents for its 4 Bethesda Metro Center project lay out two main options for the development: 500,000 GFA of office and retail space, or 500,000 GFA of residential and retail. Under the latter option, there could be as many as 600 residential units in the building, which would sit atop the Bethesda Metro station.
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4 Bethesda Metro Center can
be as tall as 290' |
The height of the building is limited to 290' by the Bethesda Downtown sector plan. Studio, IBR, 2BR and 3BR units are expected to be offered, if the residential option is chosen. These are new details that were not yet determined at
Brookfield's presentation last fall.
Residential units would be great news for Bethesda.
ReplyDeleteYes it would. More supply to meet the demand and hopefully drive prices down from their meteoric “luxury apartment” price-points. So many friends and coworkers of mine want to live in Bethesda but it’s too expensive.
DeleteWhere will they park, I wonder? There is already a hotel garage under the station but I doubt they can handle all those residents.
ReplyDelete7:22: They will have reduced parking requirements for being in a downtown parking district.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a tremendously boring glass box with radiused corners. Maybe just a mass to show density, but if the final design looks anything like this, it would not create the iconic landmark that Bethesda needs at this location. SOM, you can do better! Make it stand out, with a dynamic profile, thoughtful massing and an articulated and transparent base.
ReplyDeleteMay I ask where these renderings were posted? I would like to learn more about this project. Is that here w meeting scheduled to present these or other documents to the public? You don’t cite the source of his info.
ReplyDeleteThe Metro Center is the gateway to Bethesda for many, so its decline has been unfortunate (i.e. eliminating the food court, ice skating rink, etc.)
ReplyDeleteThe Hyatt has spruced things up and their new Starbucks and restaurant will help.
I am actually quite enthused by the Starbucks. Will go a long way in activating that area beyond just a passageway to the metro. are there two retail spots or just the one for Starbucks!
DeleteWhy did they ever get rid of that food court? I used to go there all the time years ago.
ReplyDeleteRobert, you reported on Monday that Save Westbard was going to file an injunction later this week. Has it been filed? Do you have a copy of the filing or the case number? Judges usually rule quickly on injunctions, so I'd like to keep track of the case.
ReplyDelete9:32: It has not been filed yet to my knowledge (or could be being filed as I type this). I expect to hear pretty quickly when it has been.
ReplyDelete8:54: There is a second space next to the future Starbucks.
Poor Safeway. Having new 600 units a block away would have made them a fortune had they stayed on Old Georgetown Rd..
ReplyDelete@9:46 Please update it once it's filed. Would be an interesting read.
ReplyDelete@1:26 Safeway had awful service and awful selection. Even 600 apartments' worth of people would do their shopping elsewhere like Giant or HT's or TJs -- all of which are on the Bethesda Circulator route.
I hear that Clark is looking for space in Tysons. The new CEO lives near there. Maybe it would make more sense to wait for Clark to move and the redevelop that space as a single block.
ReplyDelete9:35: That sure would help solve the green space/open space problem, possibly allowing even more than 600 units at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWowee is Robert Dyer really advocating losing Clark to Northern Virginia?
DeleteWhat if the new tower had a great rooftop destination restaurant with panoramic views of Bethesda from its epicenter? What if the developer could lure a James Beard award winner? What if Bethesda had a great new place to lure tourists, Marriott Executives, a place for locals to celebrate special events like anniversaries and birthdays? Great panoramic views of the Washington Monument, Silver Spring, The Mormon Temple and other landmarks from a 290’ tall vantage point. I can’t think of a nearby restaurant that offers a similar rooftop experience.
ReplyDelete7:42: Big event this morning for the MoCo cartel keeping you busy from trolling til now? Never advocated, just said it would make for a better project and public space if the SF got larger for 4 Bethesda Metro Center. Talk to the County Council; they're the ones who've lost all the companies, not me.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing the county can do about Clark. It's a done deal. They'll be gone in three years.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThere used to be open space, music, dancing, an eatery, ice skating.
Then I heard they needed the height to accommodate green space.
Now we've got a goliath with no set back. They seem to want to put this
monster right on top of Wisconsin avenue. Another useless pocket park in the making.
Why not just call Bethesda "South Rockville".
What a shame. They keep changing the rules. By the way, weren't they building a commercial building to bring jobs to Bethesda? That's the most important part. Jobs increase value for other homeowners while this massive glut of apartments detracts from value. Might as well move to VA and follow the jobs.