One of the four epically-delayed development projects from the last decade in downtown Bethesda is making yet another comeback attempt. I've just been informed that The Claiborne, a boutique condo building proposed for 4820 Auburn Avenue way back in 2016, is back on again. The project has taken so long, that the condominium market does not have the steam it had six years ago, if the recent lack of condo project proposals is any indication.
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| Future site of The Claiborne at Auburn and Norfolk Avenues |
After plan revisions, and many starts and stops, a half-hearted attempt at demolition of the remaining retail structures on the site briefly began in 2020. Since then, the buildings have remained frozen in time, and the rest of the vacant lot that once belonged to Steamers has continued to be an overgrown eyesore in the Woodmont Triangle. Of other projects to experience major delays in downtown Bethesda, 8001 Woodmont has been completed, the St. Elmo Apartments are in the early phase of construction, and 8008 Wisconsin remains in development hell.
What about 8000 Wisconsin, known as The Artena? I see that the developer has switched to a different architect, but current renderings seem the same. New demolition notices were posted recently, reported by you.
ReplyDeleteAny word on the other condo caper at 4824 Edgemoor Lane (the one with the big parrot mural), The Avondale, 4702 West Virginia, 4725 Cheltenham, or Hampden House? I believe all of these are fully approved by the county.
Yeah, the sun is getting harder and harder to see in Woodmont Triangle. Many of us remember the single-family homes along all those streets. Is progress bad? Of course not but I just wish that the planning board would not greenlight every one of these huge projects. There still is some old Bethesda charm over on that side of town but not for long. With this massive project going in, can we at least open the roads back up? My gosh! Elrich and his crew likely want the streets to never reopen. That's hard when you drop a couple thousand new people in these mixed-use buildings.
ReplyDelete@10:04 sing it!
ReplyDelete9:41: The Artena is technically making progress, given those demo notices you mentioned that I published recently. Your point is well taken, though, as we all recall Steamers being demolished years back for the Claiborne.
ReplyDeleteHampden House is full steam ahead right now, of the ones you mentioned. 4824 Edgemoor - I'm not ready to call that stalled yet, even though it's been quiet for a while on that front. I think the key difference is with B.F. Saul, or Federal Realty or JBG Smith, they have their financial ducks in a row and can move swiftly. Some of the other projects you mentioned, they're going to have to get the financing in order upon approval, and there are storm clouds on the horizon internationally in that regard if you are a smaller player, I would say.
Developers should be forced to demolish these dangerous structures. They should also be required to remove the plant growth on these properties which presents a substantial fire hazard.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I meant to ask if you have heard about Hampden East, on the the former AOTA building site, the mixed use office over apartments project. Seems they might need a corporate tenant to sign up before they commit, unless the developer plans to occupy a large part of their own building, like JBG Smith did. Not sure anyone is dumb enough to start a fully speculative office building in this new era.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they will resubmit for approval with a higher percentage of residential units.
Artena Bethesda is prodding along. The Antique Dealer who is where the mid priced steak house used to be just told me he expects to stay open another 2 or 3 weeks. The Persian Rug Dealer is moving around the corner and the Antiques Dealer says he’s moving up to Pennsylvania.
ReplyDeleteSo, it’s looking like the Antiques Dealer and the Persian Rug place are probably remaining open until the end of May.
Is there a project for the parcel just north of Hamden Hose where Montgomery Ave meets Wisconsin? That site has been fenced off for a long long time.
ReplyDelete@8:16 AM: are you referring to the site of the old gas station? That was supposed to become a senior living facility but development/financing fell through because of COVID, IIRC.
ReplyDelete" wish that the planning board would not greenlight every one of these huge projects. "
ReplyDeleteRobert has done a good job explaining why the MoCo council allows these projects - it's always about the money, bribes, campaign money, and the takeover of the Council in '02 by the Developers. We're screwed.