Oceans exhibit at Triangle Art Studios in Bethesda

The work of Stephen Estrada, one of the resident artists at the Triangle Art Studios at 7111-A Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda, is very much in season. A number of paintings are now on display in an exhibit entitled, "Oceans." Silver Spring resident Estrada specializes in images from the natural world. Oceans are a favorite subject, drawing on his own travels around the world. 

"My work approaches the subject head on, eschewing linear perspective, as if stepping into the moving ocean from solid land," says on his website. Look for Triangle Art Studios in the alleyway behind the Cheval Bethesda condominium tower at the corner of Old Georgetown and Fairmont Avenue.

First salons open at Cheval Bethesda condos (Photos)

The first tenants have opened their salons at the new Amor Studio Salons in the ground floor of the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at 4960 Fairmont Avenue. Beauty by Jenna and Be Well Beauty Studio are now accepting clients. Be Well Beauty Studio offers nail, eyelash extension, waxing, facial, eyebrow tinting, and permanent makeup services. Beauty by Jenna does not yet have a website or social media presence that I can find.

Gallery Gifts pop-up shop opens in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Gallery Gifts is now open in the Triangle Art Gallery, located at 7711 Old Georgetown Road in the rear of the Cheval Bethesda condo tower. The holiday pop-up shop is selling craft items handmade by local artists. Gallery Gifts will be open Thursday - Sunday through December 30. Hours are 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Thursdays, 2:00 - 8:00 PM Fridays, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturdays, and 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Construction begins at Amor Studio Salons in Bethesda (Photos)

Construction is underway on the Amor Studio Salons in the ground floor of the Cheval Bethesda condo tower, located at 4960 Fairmont Avenue. You can see the walls are being formed for the individual salon suites, which will be leased by stylists. Amor is anticipated to open in November 2022.

Amor Studios leases ground floor retail space at Cheval Bethesda

The long search for a ground floor retail tenant at the Cheval Bethesda ultra-luxury condo tower is finally over. Amor Studios has leased the space at 4964 Fairmont Avenue, which has been on the market since the building opened about four years ago. A new marketing campaign for the space was launched this past January. Founded by Kellye and Dennis Amor, Amor Studios will lease salon suites to independent stylists. 

Having wealthy potential clients directly upstairs, and street-view windows in most of the salon suites to attract passerby attention, are among the advantages here for stylists seeking to grow their clientele base. Amor Studios is expected to open in November 2022.

Retail space at Cheval Bethesda branded as "The Corner at Cheval"

Ongoing efforts to lease the ground floor retail space at the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at 4960 Fairmont Avenue have resulted in a new marketing strategy. CBRE is now promoting the space as "The Corner at Cheval." Despite the prime corner location at Old Georgetown Road, it has remained vacant for several years after the completion of the building.

A bank was once rumored to be the tenant for the spot, but it never materialized, if it was even true (and the silver lining is that many people would prefer retail or restaurant use to yet another bank branch). The rest of the ground floor commercial space houses the Triangle Art Studios, which hosts local artists, and famously exhibited the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sphinx in 2019.

The challenge of filling retail spaces in today's Montgomery County and pandemic environment has vexed Cheval developer Duball, LLC in Rockville, as well. It is currently seeking permission from the City of Rockville to convert all of the approved retail space at its new Ansel development in Rockville Town Center into additional residential lofts. Duball did have great success in attracting desirable tenants to its sister Rockville Town Center development, including World of Beer and Panera Bread.

Cheval Bethesda condo tower gets retail tenant, new glass railings

The long search for a retail tenant appears to be over at the Cheval Bethesda luxury condo tower at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Fairmont Avenue. And it's not going to be a bank! Duball, LLC President Marc Dubick confirms a "fitness-oriented tenant" is signing a lease agreement for the space.

In other Cheval news, every glass railing on the building has been replaced after part of one fell from the eighth floor on July 7. Duball immediately installed scaffolding around the building to protect pedestrians and residents on the sidewalk below. That scaffolding will be coming down as early as next week, Dubick says.

There are currently 15 units still available in the Cheval, Dubick reports. The Cheval has 71 units total on its 17 floors.

Hillary, Pelosi sphinxes arrive at Bethesda art museum

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has some company at Triangle Art Studios, behind the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at 7711 Old Georgetown Road. Two additional sphinxes have arrived to join the Notorious RBG sphinx that went on display earlier this year, representing Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Hillary is sporting her famous white pantsuit, and Pelosi is depicted wearing a string of Tahitian pearls. Hillary can be yours for $675, but Pelosi commands a premium $775.

All three sphinxes were created by resident artist Jill Newman. Also on display are Newman's three Suffragist Sphinxes. They are part of a larger exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sphinx arrives in Bethesda (Photos)

Fans of the Notorious RBG will want to stop by the Triangle Art Studios at the rear of The Cheval condo tower, located at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Fairmont Avenue. There you will find a work sure to be a hit in Bethesda: The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sphinx, by resident artist Jill Newman.

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sphinx can even be yours, for a cool $725. Here's a photo op - and potential addition to the personal art collection - for Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg's many fans of all ages. The Triangle Art Studios are open from 1:00-5:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. In addition, there are some hands-on art classes being held tonight, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, which you can sign up for online, including a needle felting class taught by the artist who created the RBG Sphinx.

Triangle Art Studios

7711 Old Georgetown Road

Sign lit at Triangle Art Studios

The sign is now lit at the Triangle Art Studios in the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at Fairmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. Several spaces in the alley behind the building are available for lease to local artists.

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steamrolled by our corrupt, developer-controlled
Planning Board appointed by our corrupt,
developer-controlled County Council!

Triangle Art Studios signage appears at the Cheval Bethesda condo tower

The vacant artist spaces in the neon alley behind the new Cheval Bethesda ultra-luxury condo tower at 4960 Fairmont Avenue are finally showing some activity. Triangle Art Studios logos have been stenciled on the doors of the units. The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District had advertised the spaces to local artists with a July 27 deadline earlier this year. Rents start at $855 a month.