DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT TO UNVEIL PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN BETHESDA PROJECT (PHOTOS)

One of the two anticipated Douglas Development redevelopment projects is about to be unveiled to the public in downtown Bethesda. The DC-based developer is hosting a public meeting Tuesday, July 15, at 7:00 PM, in room D at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, regarding its plans for the 8008 Wisconsin Avenue property. That property runs along Cordell Avenue, as well, and consists of the former Ranger Surplus store, a dry cleaners, and a beer-wine store, known as the "Beer House."

This entire city block is about to be entirely overhauled by Douglas and another developer, JBG. What will be left standing in a few years includes Fairmont Plaza, Bruce Variety and a future chocolate shop.

All we know so far is that the project will include up to 135 apartments, and 4000 SF of commercial space. Fifteen percent of the apartments will be MPDUs, above the required 12%. Douglas Development is also seeking a parking waiver for the project.

Several land deals by Douglas in recent times have left residents wondering what will become of those properties, which also include the potential for a major project on the sites of Tommy Joe's and Pines of Rome.

The former Ranger Surplus
on Wisconsin Avenue

A tattered POW-MIA flag
flutters in the breeze behind
the Ranger Surplus building

Flag again, plus a view from the
site towards Triangle Towers

Sign announcing the meeting

Dry cleaners

Beer House

BERRY YOGURT SPACE NOW OFFICIALLY FOR LEASE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Looking for prime downtown Bethesda real estate for your restaurant or retail concept? The former home of the recently-shuttered Berry Yogurt is now officially for lease, by landlord Douglas Development. I'd like to think we could get one of the tenants Douglas Development has established relationships with, like Shake Shack. I've been let down before (Relic, anyone? - that's still for lease, and was turned over to Papadapoulos Properties. Which has been unable to find a tenant for the vacant former nightclub for nearly a year). But... optimism!

It's a pretty sizable space. Nearly too big, for Berry Yogurt's purposes. And is on what, in future years, will be the Bethesda Avenue of the redeveloped Woodmont Triangle.

SHOPS OF WISCONSIN AVENUE - BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The renovation of the Shops of Wisconsin Avenue continues, and the businesses are still open. Best known as the home of Bethesda's Trader Joe's, the shopping center is getting a massive overhaul by owner Douglas Development. Searching for retail or restaurant space in downtown Bethesda? They have space for lease.

DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALLY ACQUIRES 3 BETHESDA PROPERTIES

DC real estate development powerhouse Douglas Development officially completed a deal that gives it a major chunk of a block in the Woodmont Triangle to redevelop. The properties in question are 8004 and 8006 Wisconsin Avenue, and 8013 Woodmont Avenue. Technically, the purchaser is an entity known as Jemal's Surplus, LLC, after the firm's founder and president, Douglas Jemal.

Douglas Development will now make a go of remaking a site once in the hands of a local competitor, JBG. JBG had essentially the entire block between Cordell and Fairmont Avenues, with the exception of Nathan Landow's Fairmont Plaza. But a deal that would have moved Bethesda's 2nd District police station to the mixed-use project eventually fell through, and JBG gave up on the plan. JBG will still develop the site in between the new Douglas properties and Fairmont Plaza, one of the most architecturally-intriguing designs on the boards right now in Montgomery County.

One advantage of the Douglas acquisitions for nearby residents, is the firm's impressive list of tenants at its other regional projects, which include Zara, H&M and Shake Shack. Douglas also owns the Shops of Wisconsin (home of Trader Joe's) in downtown Bethesda, which it is renovating.

START THE BETHESDA SHAKE SHACK RUMORS

BURGER EMPIRE'S

DC LANDLORD

TAKES COMMAND OF

RELIC NIGHTCLUB

BUILDING

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

DC powerhouse firm Douglas Development has taken charge of the 4936 Fairmont Avenue building that housed the now-defunct Relic Lounge.   The company, founded by Douglas Jemal in 1985, not only is an award-winning developer, but also landlord to many prime restaurants and retailers like LivingSocial, Carmine's and... Shake Shack.

Douglas is now leasing the building's units for office and retail space.  But with Relic having been configured as a food service operation, and Shake Shack's rapid expansion to 3 DC locations in 12 months, the scenario is bound to fuel rumors.  If any company has the inside track, and established relationship, to score the next DC area Shake Shack, it's Douglas.  So Bethesda has to move up on the list of potential locations on those merits alone.

Shake Shack will not reveal specific plans, but does not deny the company is actively expanding.

That block of Fairmont Avenue is currently underappreciated.  But JBG is about to redevelop half of it into a 17-story residential building, and The Monty is currently under construction on the Relic building's side of the street.  Now add a major player like Douglas, and the game has changed on this almost-forgotten block.

So the atmosphere on Fairmont - and level of pedestrian traffic - is bound to change over the next two years.  This could make 4936 Fairmont a prime target for Shake Shack, which undoubtedly would like to tap into the deep pockets of Bethesda diners.

Have we maxed out on burger restaurants?  Burger aficionados wouldn't say so!  With spaces opening at Bethesda Row, there will be a lot of speculation about the most-wanted restaurants and retail in the near future.

The only certainty is that, with Douglas Development in charge, 4936 Fairmont is likely to end up with at least one prominent tenant.