Marriott hotel signage installed as illegal construction parking continues on Woodmont Avenue

New signage has been installed on the Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel at 7707 Woodmont Avenue, and is now lit at night. But while interior construction continues, so does the illegal parking by Marriott contractors in the only northbound travel lane on Woodmont in front of the Marriott property. Yesterday afternoon, there were 4 or 5 contractor vehicles entirely blocking the northbound lane, forcing traffic heading north to veer into oncoming cars in the center turning lane to get past. 

Montgomery County continues to allow this illegal parking and dangerous traffic obstacle at the Marriott site, while claiming it is a Vision Zero jurisdiction, the height of hypocrisy. Again, if you parked your car in the only eastbound travel lane of Bethesda Avenue, turned off the motor, and went into Five Guys for an hour...how many minutes do you think would pass before your vehicle was ticketed and towed? We are under a two-tier enforcement and justice system, it appears. Also spotted on Woodmont yesterday: the flaws of an unprotected bike lane, as a car used the new bikeway on that block as a right turn lane.

Signage installed at Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel (Photos)

Signage has been installed at the new Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel at 7707 Woodmont Avenue. There's still some Tyvek-like material covering the edge of the canopy below the large logo sign above the hotel's main driveway, suggesting something more will be installed or uncovered there. In related news, Bethesda Beat reports that the hotel's opening date is now targeted as March 1, 2022, instead of January.

Marriott HQ and Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel update (Photos)

Wayfaring signage has been installed around the Marriott International headquarters and hotel property at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. There's even a sign that shows workers and guests where to cross Woodmont Avenue when exiting the property on that side, by the crosswalk that is being created to allow them to cross safely to the Woodmont Corner garage. Accent lighting is in place around planters on the plaza, as are some vertical light fixtures that dangle over the promenade between the two buildings.

Hyatt Regency Bethesda ready for Christmas

The Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel at 7400 Wisconsin Avenue is giving off holiday vibes. LED accent lighting on the hotel's exterior has been switched to Christmas colors of red and green. Too bad there is no longer a town Christmas tree on the plaza at the Bethesda Metro Center as there was years ago. Alas, the annual Christmas tree lighting went the way of the Metro Center's now-demolished ice rink.

Corella Café & Lounge to open April 2022 at AC Hotel at Avocet Tower in Bethesda (Photos)

New public art

installation activated

The ground floor restaurant at the new AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown at 4646 Montgomery Avenue will be called Corella Café & Lounge, parent company Marriott International says. Serving "locally-inspired" American cuisine, the casual restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will feature a "lavish bar," as well as outdoor patio seating. Marriott says the hotel, part of StonebridgeCarras' Avocet Tower development, is now on course for an April 2022 opening.

Bar area

Outdoor patio seating

AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown will also contain a convenience store selling snacks and sundries. Its 4000-square-foot rooftop fitness center will feature state-of-the-art equipment, a spin room, a yoga studio, The Mirror Home Gym, and spectacular views of the region.

New sculpture on the Avocet Tower
plaza Tuesday night

A second public art installation at the adjoining Avocet Tower, which is on the other side of the property at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue, was officially activated Tuesday. Located on the plaza in front of the office tower, the new sculpture was lit last night. The first art installation, an interactive star field suspended over the plaza, was activated back in June. 

Avocet Tower

AC Hotel (left) adjoins Avocet Tower

AC Hotel (left) Avocet Tower (right)

AC Hotel

Avocet Tower (left) AC Hotel (right)

Photos: Robert Dyer

Renderings courtesy Marriott International