Approval sought for 5500 Wisconsin Avenue redevelopment plans in Friendship Heights

The Donohoe Companies and Carr Companies are seeking approval from Montgomery County of the Site Plan and a Sketch Plan Amendment for their proposed redevelopment of 5500 Wisconsin Avenue. Currently home to a one-story retail building and a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, the project would replace the retail building with a mixed-use tower, while retaining the existing hotel. A shared street would be placed between the new building and the hotel for loading dock and drop-off/delivery purposes. The new building would house up to 300 residential units, a 2-level residents-only underground parking garage with up to 340 parking spaces, and up to 11,015 square feet of ground floor retail/restaurant space.

While the Village of Friendship Heights unsuccessfully challenged the plan in court, it has now reached a private agreement with the developers. In the proposed Sketch Plan amendment, the project would receive bonus density transferred from a single-family home property nearby at 4608 N. Park Avenue. This would limit the future redevelopment of that small property to the height of the existing home. The developers will also receive bonus density for providing more Moderately-Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs) than is required under the existing sector plan. An additional height bonus is being sought under the "T-zone" provision of the County code, which will allow up to 187' in height, instead of the 90' maximum currently allowed there under the existing zoning.

Via the Site Plan, we are getting a much more detailed look at the architectural design. The stated goal at the June 2021 community meeting was to have the architecture compliment the surrounding buildings. In the final renderings, you can indeed see some details that allude to architectural features of nearby properties such as the Chevy Chase Building (5530 Wisconsin) and the Barlow Building (5454 Wisconsin), while the overall design is contemporary (such as the ubiquitous "facade frame" found on many new buildings).

Planning staff say they have received 11 letters of support - 10 from Friendship Heights residents, and 1 from the Coalition for Smarter Growth - for the 5500 Wisconsin Site Plan and Sketch Plan Amendment. No correspondence opposing the plans has been received so far, they state in the staff report. Most supporters lament the decline of Friendship Heights over the last two decades, with its empty storefronts and stagnant economy, and state that the 5500 Wisconsin project will attract new businesses and younger residents.

The Site Plan and Sketch Plan Amendment will be reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Board at its April 13, 2023 meeting. Planning staff are recommending approval of both.

Fox 5 news ticker installed in Bethesda (Photos)

We're not getting a Times Square giant video screen yet in downtown Bethesda, but Fox 5 has just installed a news ticker at the top of the structure on the plaza below its new studios at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue. About a month ago, a blank strip was left around the top of the facades of it, and wiring and electronic connections were visible. Now the digital display has been installed. Eventually, passengers descending to - or emerging from - the Purple Line or Red Line (using the future south entrance at this location) will be receiving breaking news headlines on this wraparound ticker.

Grey strip at top, as seen on July 6

July 6

Ticker installed

Fox 5 sign at The Wilson lights up for the first time (Photos)

The new Fox 5 logo sign at The Wilson at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda lit up for the first time Thursday night. Now it can finally be seen after dark, although the lighting is around the edges of the letters and number, so it still doesn't jump out that much. Fox 5 has relocated up Wisconsin Avenue to the new Carr Properties office tower from its longtime Northwest Washington, D.C. location.

Donohoe, Carr unveil plan for 5500 Wisconsin Avenue in Friendship Heights (Photos)

Bethesda-based The Donohoe Companies and D.C.-based Carr Companies unveiled their proposal for 5500 Wisconsin Avenue in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Chevy Chase at a required public meeting last night. The virtual meeting had one of the largest attendance totals of any development presentation in the pandemic era, indicating strong resident interest in the future of the property, which currently hosts one-story retail spaces and an adjacent Courtyard by Marriott hotel. More than 87 residents watched the online presentation.

Donohoe Senior Vice-President Jad Donohoe represented that company, noting his firm's five-generation history in the D.C. area. He added that Donohoe has been active in Chevy Chase for 60 years, and that his father built and managed the original Holiday Inn that is now the Courtyard on the property. That hotel will remain on the site; Donohoe's plan would only redevelop the low-rise retail portion of the property. This is also not the first time that The Donohoe Companies has partnered with Carr.

Original massing proposal

New massing proposal -
5500 Wisconsin in yellow,
existing hotel in blue

The proposed new building would be 180' tall, around 18 stories. This is less than the maximum height allowed on the site with an MPDU bonus, which is 216'. The building's massing has been updated from an earlier proposal, and reflects the base-under-recessed-tower design encouraged by the 2017 Bethesda Downtown sector plan. This will allow greater airflow and light to pass through the property, the presentation renderings indicated. 

5500 Wisconsin would be rental apartments, with up to 380 units atop ground floor retail, and 5 to 6 tenants in that 15000 square feet of retail space. Unlike Montgomery County elected officials, Donohoe was frank about the decline of retail in Friendship Heights. In recognition of this, the firm is not seeking retail tenants of the price-point found when Wisconsin Avenue there was referred to as "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive." 

Site location

Donohoe said there is a problem with retail in the neighborhood, and that it predated the pandemic. As a result, the company wants to focus on retail tenants who will serve residents who are within walking distance.

Woonerf design for interior
street to be shared by pedestrians,
cyclists and motor vehicles

But where much of the avenue has declined into empty storefronts and aging structures, Donohoe plans a significant upgrade with improved streetscapes, and a Woonerf shared street that will run between the new building and the existing hotel. 5500 Wisconsin would be the first new rental apartment building constructed in Friendship Heights since Wisconsin Place over a decade ago. The Woonerf could also head off a common neighbor complaint at many buildings, the lack of pull-off space for delivery trucks that end up blocking sidewalks and travel lanes.

Possible overhead features for the Woonerf

The architect for the project predicted the final architectural design would fit in well with the nearby Highland House and Willoughby high-rise properties. It will include a penthouse club room and pool. SK+I is the architectural firm for the project.

Diagram of ground floor uses

15% of the units will be moderately-priced MPDUs. This is the first building in Friendship Heights to include MPDUs, the developers said.

Map showing how the project will improve
connectivity between parks in the area

Donohoe said a concrete restoration and repair project will be performed at the hotel this year. But overall, he said the hotel tower is in relatively good shape.

Design inspirations for the Woonerf

Some residents expressed concern about the building being rental apartments as opposed to condos, citing recent crimes in the neighborhood. "We don't want more of that," one said. Others said they welcomed rental tenants, hoping it would bring more youthful residents to a neighborhood with a high population of senior citizens. 

Possible Woonerf overhead design features

Concerns of senior citizens were on the front burner last night. Residents warned against using hardscaping options like cobblestones, as many residents are unsteady on such surfaces. With many also using wheelchairs, residents asked that retail spaces have wide entrances. The nearby Starbucks at 5454 Wisconsin does not have that now, one resident mentioned. 

Features to activate Wisconsin Avenue
streetscape

One attendee hoped that some of the retail would be targeted toward the many retirees in the neighborhood. Another stressed that restaurants and gathering spaces are very important to the community, and that they would like to see both in the new development.

Activating the Hills Plaza streetscape

If you missed the meeting and want to weigh in on the project, you have two opportunities in the coming weeks. Representatives from the project partners will be at the Friendship Heights Farmers Market in Hubert Humphrey Park this Saturday, June 12, 2021, and again on July 3. There is also an official project website online now.

Renderings courtesy SK+I Architecture

A view of the Skybridge at The Wilson/The Elm in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a view of the Skybridge that connects The Wilson and The Elm at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue at the 28th floor, as seen from the Bethesda Metro Center. The Skybridge is a common area that features a bar, a lounge, a fully-equipped catering kitchen, private dining rooms, and sweeping views of the D.C. region.

The Elm now leasing up to 16th floor in downtown Bethesda

Leasing continues to expand at The Elm apartment tower at 4710 Elm Street in Bethesda. Tours are now available for units up to the 16th floor. Current rent pricing is as follows: Studios starting at $1,880, 1-bedrooms starting at $2,338, 2-bedrooms starting at $3,303, and townhomes starting at $5380. The property will continue to be surrounded by construction even after the 7272 Wisconsin project is completed, as work continues on the Purple Line station and new south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station at the site.

Lighted sign installed at The Elm in Bethesda + a look at Elm Street today (Photos)

A lighted sign for The Elm has been attached to the new downtown Bethesda apartment tower, facing Wisconsin Avenue for maximum exposure. However, it is modest in size in proportion to the building. Last night, it was lit up. The Elm is located at 4710 Elm Street. Meanwhile, most of Elm Street remains closed between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenue.

Public parking garage opens at The Wilson in Bethesda (Photos)

Carr Properties' 7272 Wisconsin Avenue development reached another milestone on Wednesday. The public parking garage at The Wilson opened for public use. There is currently an "evening special" being offered - $12 after 5:00 PM until closing. Also at The Wilson, the sign for Tatte Bakery was installed, and it was lit last night.

First walkaround at The Wilson/The Elm in Bethesda (Video+Photos)

The removal of more construction fencing has opened up the opportunity to take the first walkaround of the new Carr Propoerties development, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue. A guard is now on-duty in The Wilson office tower lobby. Now, for the first time, we can also see The Elm's lobby. And take a stroll on the outdoor plaza at the corner of Wisconsin and Elm.