After sitting on the market for several years, the landmark bank building at 7500 Wisconsin Avenue has been sold. The purchaser of the 1927 structure appears to be a shell company of Carrollton Development Group of Beltsville. According to Maryland real estate records, the building was sold for $6,175,000.
CDG's portfolio is primarily comprised of Prince George's County properties. None of those have yet been redeveloped into the type of project that might be possible here under the Bethesda Downtown Plan, so it's unclear how quickly they would seek to redevelop rather than simply lease the building.
The property is one of the highest profile sites in Bethesda, at the crossroads of Wisconsin, Old Georgetown Road, and East-West Highway. Whatever happens, hopefully we get a Times Square news ticker and video screen at this intersection out of it!
Orvis is closing because that entire block on Leland, one of the few remaining examples of old Bethesda, is being knocked down for yet another high rise. Eventually, Bethesda will be Rosylyn.
ReplyDeleteA news ticker and/or video screen(s), close to a major intersection that's already too dangerous enough-- for pedestrians, for drivers, and for bikers-- would be just plain nuts. Too many travelers are already too distracted!
ReplyDelete6:08 AM - I have to agree whole-heartedly with your opinion. A video screen of any sort would be detrimental to the environmental character of the community, adding unwanted light pollution to the built-scape, danger to the avian species, and unneeded commercial advertising. Residents, and friends of mine, who live in the Gallery Place Peen Quarter neighborhood have repeatedly petitioned the DC government to limit, or reduce the impact of the light pollution, and in some instances the addition of sound, has on the neighborhood. Even some businesses have complained that the light interferes with business conducted in offices located around these signs.
ReplyDeleteBethesda's time square! Gr8 idea!
ReplyDelete