Downtown Bethesda's post-2017 high-rises haven't been subtle newcomers to the town's skyline. Unlike most earlier downtown buildings (with the notable exception of the Chevy Chase Trust Building), they can be clearly seen on the horizon from higher vistas in the Westbard area, for example. Now that even more are being built, we're seeing some of the first examples of rivals muscling their slightly elder siblings out of their prominent spots in the sky after only a few years. Construction on the Hampden House apartment tower at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue has progressed to the point where it is now almost entirely eclipsing The Wilson and The Elm towers at 7272 Wisconsin on the next block down, for those heading south towards Washington, D.C. A 2025 delivery date is anticipated for the B.F. Saul development - which could soon be eclipsed itself by a project starting on the next block north of it, at 7340 Wisconsin.
Thankfully both Wilson/Elm and Hampden House are very nice looking buildings. Bring on the not-so-moribund design and height competition!
ReplyDelete"Prominence", you mean Mr. Burns' dominance of blocking out the Sun effect.
ReplyDeleteWho’s going to move in and pay these overpriced rents or buy these pricy condos?
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard about 1/3 rd of them are empty, with more and more on the way….next up, the block with Brooks Bros and the old Starbucks.
No more sunlight in Brooklyn South….
@6:13 PM, Section 8, MPDU's, Air B&B's & investment only types sub, sub, subletting...
ReplyDeleteImagine a world where people sought out and relied upon facts rather than regurgitating nonsense that they "heard."
ReplyDeleteThat Marriott building really dominated the horizon going west on East-West Highway. Still I'd rather develop here than up county. Learning
ReplyDeleteEven the 25 story high tower at the former gas station site will be eclipsed by the proposed 30 story high tower at 4 Bethesda Metro Center, and even that will be surpassed by the proposed 32 story high tower on the 7-11 site on Wisconsin and Norfolk.
ReplyDeleteBring it on! More high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented projects are great for the city, and for the environment. More residents supporting even more retail and shops restaurants. Fewer folks driving and more using mass transit, or simply walking or biking to their destinations.
Most of these towers are currently about 93% to 95%bleased. Easy to check on their websites.
If you only seek sunlight, perhaps you should move to Olney.
Hear, hear!!! Good post. Funny how the Drill, baby, drill crowd doesn't want their sweet ol' town Bethesda to have normal and positive growth. Not in their backwards yard.
DeleteSad, really.
ReplyDeleteImagine, we can aspire to be a Rosslyn or K Street!
Not sad, really. Imagine, we can aspire to continue to be the most walkable, dense, transit oriented, mixed-use community in the DC area!
ReplyDeletePlease name another downtown in the DC area, or in fact anywhere, where you can walk to 200 restaurant's and cafes, 500 businesses, 5 grocery stores, 6 high-rise hotels, a public library, a high school and grade school, a post office, two farmers markets, three performing arts theaters, a multiplex cinema, and dozens of urban parks and plazas, all connected with tree lined walks, protected bike lanes and a free circulator bus. A place where you can live on of dozens of modern mixed-use apartments or condos, and walk to work and many large corporations, or hop on the Metro and head to DC.
Go ahead, I’ll wait…
If you ask me, the sooner Bethesda looks like Tokyo the better. Why not add some real skyscrapers with 360 degree views? Is there a height limit?
ReplyDeleteYes, the current maximum building height limit is 300’ in a select few locations in downtown Bethesda. Up to 24’ can be added if 25% MPDU units are provided. That’s to 324’ or about 33 stories. The 7/11 site is limited to 290’ plus 24’ to the current 312’ tall proposal with 32 stories.
ReplyDeleteI agree that even taller would be nice, not so much for the slightly enhanced views, but for a more dynamic skyline. I think a 400’ height limit at a very few key locations directly adjacent to the Metro would be a great idea. Especially if a dynamic and iconic signature highrise was created to create a landmark visible from very far away.