Signs of construction beginning at Westwood Shopping Center, as branding shifts to Westbard Square

2027 delivery now expected

The long-delayed start of construction on the redevelopment of the Westwood Shopping Center in Bethesda now appears to be right around the corner. Property owner Regency Centers has just erected a sign at the shopping center, located at 5400 Westbard Avenue, which refers to the new development as "Westbard Square." It also advises that all remaining businesses in the center are open during construction.

Westbard Square is the latest branding shift for the property. After progressing from "The New Westwood" to "Westwood Square," Regency is re-embracing the Westbard name with "Westbard Square." A subdivision record plat item on the Montgomery County Planning Board's July 29, 2021 agenda is still using the Westwood Square name, however.

Along with the new brand is a new project timeline. Construction preparation, such as setting up a construction trailer, is expected as soon as this month. If all stays on schedule, in Q3 2021, construction of the new Giant building on the parking lot beyond the old Rite Aid is anticipated to begin. 

Close-up of "Canal House"

Q1 2022 will see the beginning of the realignment of Westbard Avenue to directly connect to River Road, and groundbreaking for the senior living project on the Westwood Center II mini-mall site and Citgo gas station property. By Q1 2024, the new Giant will open, and demolition of the existing shopping center and current Giant would begin, and construction of the remaining retail and residential buildings on that site would start - as well as the creation of the internal streets and public space. Delivery of the completed Westbard Square is now anticipated for 2027.

One other thing that's new is a couple of new renderings of the future development. They feature an interesting change at the top of the "town square." Instead of a mostly-glass "jewel box," a structure bearing the name "Canal House" sports a facade utilizing the local quarry stone found in other buildings in the Westbard and downtown Bethesda areas. While the Canal House name is probably a stand-in for a future retail or restaurant tenant, the structure does indeed resemble some of the houses found along the C&O Canal in shape and material. Lockhouse 10, for example, uses that type of stone in its exterior facade, as do many homes and businesses in Bethesda.

Photos by Robert Dyer
Renderings courtesy Regency Centers