Bethesda Exxon station demolished as long-delayed redevelopment begins (Photos)

Heavy machinery has made short work of the long-shuttered Exxon gas station at 7340 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The station building and garage, and the brick walls around the property, are now piles of rubble on the prime site above the Bethesda Metro station. After years of delay, developer Greystar broke ground last month on its planned redevelopment of the site into a mixed-use tower.  The future building will include 315,000 gross square feet of development, 300 to 308 residential units, ground floor retail, and around 158 parking spaces. It will sit near the entrance to the Purple Line light rail, and between two entrances to Metro's Red Line subway.