Intruder tries to smash way into Bethesda apartment lobby

An intruder trespassing inside an entrance vestibule attempted to smash an interior glass door that provides entry for tenants of 8200 Wisconsin to the apartment tower's lobby this past weekend. Yesterday, the interior lobby door could be seen papered over inside the Woodmont Avenue entrance to the building, and broken glass had been cleaned up. This comes after residents of the building have already expressed concern over the reduction of staffing at the lobby desk to only four hours per day. Some residents have reported security failures and trespassing by previous intruders, which were made possible by the lack of 24-hour desk coverage.

One recent event was an example of an apparent new trend of vagrants and homeless people "couch surfing" during the night in residential lobbies, including at least once at 8200. The individuals either sneak in, are assisted with entry by an unwitting resident, or possibly invited in by a bleeding heart tenant to crash for the night on lobby furniture. This is not only illegal trespassing or burglary in most cases, but a security risk to residents. Montgomery County police have not commented publicly on this weekend's incident at 8200, so the motive or intention behind the attempt to break in is unknown at this time.

The incidents I have heard from readers have all taken place at buildings in the Woodmont Triangle, where Montgomery County of course sustains several homeless facilities. As in White Flint and Derwood, some of these individuals have untreated psychiatric conditions and/or criminal records, and harass, beg, or assault people going about their business, as well as stealing from, robbing, or vandalizing local businesses. They have repeatedly broken into vacant buildings in that vicinity. 

Now a growing trend is this couch surfing at residential buildings. This not only often provides access to mail rooms with packages in or off of lobbies, but in at least one case at a different building, residents reported a trespasser in the lobby then taking elevators to residential floors upstairs with unclear intentions.

8200 Wisconsin Avenue apartments in Bethesda rebranded as "8200W"

8200 Wisconsin Avenue, a landmark apartment tower on downtown Bethesda's "main street," has gotten a branding makeover. While the iconic "8200" numerals over the entrance remain the same for now, new logos posted at the building and on the internet have added a "W" to read "8200W." The new branding is also utilized on an updated website for the property. Of course, among longtime residents, just saying "8200" is enough that people know which building you are talking about. It's hard to think of another local building with that kind of street-number-only name recognition within a certain geographical area. The closest in my mind would be 5530 and 5454 Wisconsin in Friendship Heights, particularly if you are in the healthcare field as a professional or patient.

8200 Wisconsin apartment tower in Bethesda is being sold

The owner of 8200 Wisconsin Avenue, a high-rise apartment building in downtown Bethesda, has informed tenants that it is in the process of selling the property. Brown Development, LLC says it has entered into a sale contract with an unidentified buyer. It expects the sale to close in March or April of 2023. Tenants had to be informed under Montgomery County code 53A, as any recognized tenant organization has the right of first refusal to buy their building if it is put up for sale.

8200's future will be dependant upon who the unknown buyer turns out to be, unless tenants organize to buy it themselves. It could continue as a rental property with no interruption to tenants. The building could be renovated, or gutted, and turned into condos. Or, it could be entirely demolished, as today's zoning would allow a taller building there. 

Bethesda real estate firm Donohoe owns the adjacent medical building and Exxon gas station. This would certainly make for a nice third lot to assemble for a major mixed-use development between Battery Lane and The Bethesdan hotel. It could include a renovated 8200, or a larger building that incorporates its property. I've heard no indication that Donohoe is the buyer, however, but such an acquisition would certainly increase their options for redevelopment there.

Citizens of Bethesda Barbershop opens

A new barbershop has opened in downtown Bethesda. Citizens of Bethesda Barbershop is located in the ground floor of the 8200 Wisconsin Avenue apartment tower. You can see a list of services and prices below. The American flag is a nice touch.

Minuteman Press now in 8200 Wisconsin building (Photos)

I have an update on Minuteman Press, which had to move out of the Blackwell Building last May, ahead of its demolition for the new Marriott headquarters. It had temporarily relocated to 8218 Wisconsin Avenue. Now they are up and running next door, in the ground floor of the 8200 Wisconsin apartment tower, at 8210 Wisconsin.

Covered sidewalk removed behind 8200 Wisconsin apartments in Bethesda

The wooden protected sidewalk covering on Woodmont Avenue, that's been behind 8200 Wisconsin in downtown Bethesda for several years, has been removed. Inside, it looks like there is more work to be done, but the rear entrance and staircase look brand new.

Crane shuts down traffic on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda (Photo)

Here is a picture of the massive crane that shut down southbound Wisconsin Avenue for most of Saturday. It was brought in to raise some heavy equipment up to the roof of 8200 Wisconsin, the building behind the crane in this photo.

SB Wisconsin Avenue to close Saturday between Battery Lane & Cordell Avenue in Bethesda

All southbound lanes of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) will close this Saturday, January 14 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Detour signs will be posted to direct southbound traffic around the closure. The closure is necessary to permit equipment to be raised up to the roof of the 8200 Wisconsin apartment tower.

Should weather prevent the work from being done, it will be rescheduled for Saturday, January 28.

BETHESDA APARTMENTS HAD NO HEAT, NO ELEVATORS

The patience of residents at downtown Bethesda's 8200 Wisconsin Avenue apartment tower was sorely tested Thursday, as a transformer issue cut off heat and elevator service in the building. Temperatures were below freezing all day.

According to the building's management, melting snow flooded a transformer Thursday morning. A resident said the heat went off at 8:15 AM Thursday. He and the management said that heat was restored around 9:00 PM last night, after Pepco worked on the issue throughout the day.

Late last night, elevators in the high-rise remained out of service. Building management said they hoped to have them running by this morning. But there is no certainty as to how long the repairs will take.

8200 WISCONSIN AVENUE APARTMENTS FRONT ENTRANCE CLOSED IN BETHESDA

8200 Wisconsin Avenue residents are probably aware of this, but the Wisconsin Avenue lobby entrance of the building is closed for construction. Until an unspecified future date, residents and visitors will have to use the rear Woodmont Avenue access to the building.  A new ground floor office is being constructed for Aldon Management.

Meanwhile, the Mitchell Eye Institute has moved to the 8218 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda Medical Building.