One of the most architecturally-impressive high-rises in downtown Bethesda could undergo several significant changes, if the Chevy Chase Land Co.'s proposal is approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board. The developer's plan would relocate the main entrance and lobby of 2 Bethesda Metro Center from North Lane to Woodmont Avenue. That new main entrance would be at the corner of North and Woodmont; the North entrance would become a secondary access point.
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| Existing sign located where the future new entrance would be |
CCLC's proposal would also widen the staircase that leads from Montgomery Lane up to the plaza behind the building. The company suggests that this modification, along with new seating areas, would make the steps and plaza a more popular gathering spot. An existing annex behind the building would be converted into an amenity space for office tenants, and an additional floor would be added to the annex, adding 6,382 square feet of space. Overhead would be an extended canopy between the office tower rear entrance and the entrance to the annex.
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| Current lobby entrance to the building, which the owner feels is too hidden on North Lane |
The updated annex building would house conference space and a new fitness center, instead of restaurant or retail use as required in its 1980s-era site plan approval. A requirement for a restaurant and community-serving retail would also be deleted under the plan, if approved as-is. The applicant claims that adding these new facilities for office tenants would better activate the plaza than restaurant or retail use. As mentioned above, there would now be a covered walkway between the annex and the main office tower.
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| Current Montgomery Lane staircase up to plaza behind office tower |
Also getting the boot will be the fountain on the plaza, in favor of seating areas. Overall, the public space at 2 Bethesda Metro Center will decrease by 1775 square feet under the proposal, but remain signficantly above the amount of public space required by the property's zoning. Chevy Chase Land Co. has agreed to explore the possibility of installing a SemperGreen green wall, along with plantings and the green-topped canopy above the plaza.
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| Rendering of widened staircase proposal |
The Planning Board will take up the proposed plan amendments at its March 31, 2022 meeting. Planning staff is recommending approval of the preliminary plan and site plan amendments, with conditions.
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| Rendering of updated plaza, showing seating, plantings, canopy with green roof, and green wall |
All photos by Robert Dyer
Renderings via Montgomery County Planning Department
I wish the illustrations of the new stairs included handrails. They are more likely to be done right if they are included in the planning from the start, rather than tacked on at the end.
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