Firefighters respond to EagleBank building in Bethesda (Photos)

Firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the EagleBank building at the corner of Woodmont and Fairmont Avenues before 8:00 AM this morning. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad personnel entered the building, but it appeared to be a false alarm.

Another business flees doomed asbestos building in Bethesda (Photos)

A second business tenant of the soon-to-be-demolished office building at 4962 Fairmont Avenue has found a new home nearby. Like College Nannies and Tutors, Shipshape IT will stay within the Woodmont Triangle.

The new Shipshape HQ is taking over the vacant space upstairs at the EagleBank building, located at the intersection of Fairmont and Woodmont Avenues.

Meanwhile, ahead of demolition, asbestos removal will begin today at the 4962 Fairmont office building. That work is expected to take 10 days. Ultimately, the building will be demolished to make way for Duball, LLC's 4990 Fairmont luxury condo tower.

As Ace Ventura once said,
"Do not. Go in there." 

Their old location at
4962 Fairmont

Old College Nannies + Tutors
sign left behind at 4962

Another downtown Bethesda building
with distinctive stone from the
local quarry on the facade

This is part of what will
ultimately be a
revitalization of a block
of Fairmont Avenue
that is largely dark
and dead at night

EagleBank BUILDING IN BETHESDA FOR SALE, TAVIRA RESTAURANT ALSO ON MARKET

A potentially prime piece of downtown Bethesda real estate is for sale. The mixed-use building at 7809 Woodmont Avenue - the primary tenant of which is EagleBank - is on the market for an asking price of $7,200,000. It has several strong points for a prospective owner.

First, in a weak office market, the relatively small building is fully-leased. Second, it is conveniently located within walking distance of Metro, and many restaurants, shops and amenities. But, most significantly, the lease of EagleBank is up in 2015. While the lease expiration date of the other 3 tenants in the building is unknown, if they are not long-term leases, 7809 represents a tremendous redevelopment opportunity. A buyer with even more patience might try to reach agreement with adjoining property owners. Such a transaction could allow a mixed-use project of at least 17 stories on the current block, and perhaps even higher under the now-underway sector plan rewrite.

Meanwhile, longtime Chevy Chase Lake restaurant Tavira is on the market, as well. In this case, it's the business that's for sale, not the building. The Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine restaurant in the unassuming office building on Connecticut Avenue has made several area Top Restaurant lists.

Why is Tavira closing? The owner is moving out of state.