Bethesda construction update: The Cecil apartments (Photos)

The sidewalk in front of The Cecil apartments at 8015 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda has reopened to pedestrians. Construction is wrapping up on the mid-rise development, which replaces Christ Lutheran Church on this property. The 310-unit apartment building was developed by JLB Partners, and will be managed by Bozzuto. SK+I Architecture was the design firm.

8015 Old Georgetown Road development is branded as "The Narrative" in Bethesda

"Quick, take me to The Narrative," you tell your Uber driver as you slam the door. That's the new name for the residential development now under construction at 8015 Old Georgetown Road, between downtown Bethesda and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. The site was previously home to Christ Lutheran Church. Developer JLB Partners is constructing an 8-story apartment building with 297 residential units. JLB anticipates a delivery date of April 2024 for the project.

Proposed downtown Bethesda church/apartment combo development seeks approval this week

View of the development
from Rugby Avenue

The long and winding road to redevelop 8015 Old Georgetown Road at the edge of downtown Bethesda goes directly through the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday. Christ Lutheran Church is proposing to demolish its existing church building, and replace it with a new church, a community center, and a residential building with 107 units on the same site.

Planning staff are recommending approval of the redevelopment, with conditions. Among the conditions is a requirement that the development include the following recreational amenities: picnic/sitting areas, a multipurpose court, pedestrian system, a swimming pool and an indoor fitness facility. They are also asking for 15% affordable units; 12.5% is the percentage mandated by Montgomery County.

No direct vehicular access to the development will be allowed from Rugby Avenue under the plan.

Rendering via Montgomery County Planning Department