Here's a look at the Sophia Bethesda apartment tower construction progress at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It looks like the project is on-track to meet the anticipated Fall 2024 delivery target. There were many twists and turns in the planning and approval process until Duball, LLC came in as lead developer on this project, which began life under property owner Lenkin Companies. Then there was an unexpected delay to settle concerns about the excavation by an adjacent property owner. But once construction began, it seemed to proceed like clockwork, and possibly even a little faster than expected.
Don't forget that the project has already brought Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe aboard. The French cafe will be located in a 3000-square-foot corner space fronting onto Fairmont Avenue and the pedestrian paseo, which lies between the Sophia and the Bainbridge Bethesda apartment tower. That paseo will also be getting an updated design, along with the cafe, and will hopefully become the public gathering space that was envisioned by Bainbridge a decade ago. 930-square-feet of retail space fronting the paseo remains available for lease on the ground level.
Curious how much they will rent the units that look directly into the Bainbridge 30 ft away. Can't imagine many people being interested in those units.
ReplyDeleteThe Sophia is certainly one of the better-looking high-rises in Bethesda. I like the neo-deco styling evident in the balconies.
ReplyDeleteI’m a bit over all the new “brand new” ye olde architecture. Lionsgare, Stone Hall, Sophia, Hampden House. The three buildings proposed on the east side of Wisconsin by Saul. All of them aping the past. Modern architecture should reflect the time that it is built
ReplyDeleteBring back some edgy modern design, glass, steel, metal, evocative massing and yes even cantilevers!
Curious to see how quickly they will rent all the units in the building since it’s 2 to 3 times the size of the apt building next to it.
ReplyDeleteBethesda has 3 or 4 major apt buildings finishing up all at once and we’ll see how fast they rent. I think the banks hesitation in approving loans for new apt buildings is likely one of the factors slowing Artena Bethesda’s Approval over on wisconsin ave.
Artena Bethesda is the apt building that is supposed to be built on at abandoned block on wisconsin ave with the Clark Construction Sign already up for almost a year !