Planning extension sought for new Bethesda Row apartment building

Federal Realty is seeking an extension from the Montgomery County Planning Board for the review of the Preliminary and Site Plans for a proposed new apartment building at 7070 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. The plans were both scheduled to be reviewed during the board's April 24, 2025 meeting. Federal Realty, which owns Bethesda Row, is asking for a two-month extension until June 26. The board will consider the extension request at its meeting tomorrow, Thursday, April 10, 2025. Planning staff are recommending approval of the request.

Attorney Patricia Harris says the reason for the request is that the Preliminary Plan that was submitted last December cannot be certified by Montgomery County without a noise analysis. That analysis is currently being completed. Once the noise analysis is submitted to the County, it will take about two months for the Preliminary Plan to then be certified, Harris says. 

If approved, the reverse-L-shaped apartment building would replace Uncle Julio's, several storefronts on Arlington Road next to Uncle Julio's, and a large portion of the parking lot behind the existing stores and restaurants on the south side of Bethesda Avenue (i.e. the Apple Store, Levain Bakery, etc.). The 100' tall structure would have retail and restaurant space in its ground floor, as well as a vehicle pass-through tunnel for deliveries, moving vans, and ride-sharing vehicles. Theoretically, then, Uncle Julio's could lease a ground floor space and return in the new building.

Renderings courtesy Federal Realty/Hickok Cole

Choice Hotels signage installed at 915 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose (Photos)

The glowing logo of hospitality giant Choice Hotels is now shining from atop the new office tower nearing completion at Pike & Rose, at 915 Meeting Street along Rockville Pike. Choice will be relocating its corporate headquarters down the Pike from its current location by the Rockville Metro station. 

915 Meeting Street is on-schedule for a Q4 2023 delivery at the Federal Realty development. Another Montgomery County corporate headquarters in Gaithersburg, Sodexho, has also been lured to the new 266,000-square-foot trophy office tower. Choice represents many brands familiar to travelers, from Quality Inn and Radisson to Cambria Suites and EconoLodge.

Bethesda Lane "improved lighting for selfies" update (Photos)

Installation of new lighting on Bethesda Lane continues at Bethesda Row. The new overhead fixtures resemble dozens of supersize ring lights, the lighting used by many video creators on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms. This reflects the promise by property owner Federal Realty that the update would provide "improved lighting for selfies." Down below, repairs are being made to part of the pedestrian street's surface.

New murals added to Bethesda Row Public Parking Garage 57

The newest pieces of public art in downtown Bethesda are large in scale, and are both installed over entrances to the Montgomery County-owned Public Parking Garage 57 at Bethesda Row. Montgomery County's Department of Transportation partnered with Bethesda Row property owner Federal Realty, which commissioned the murals by artist Andrea Cobb of Durham, North Carolina. Cobb says the flowers represent joy and pleasure, the hearts represent love and emotion, and the olives represent peace and friendship.

“We have seen great success in the past with public art installations on our public parking garages within downtown areas,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Public art can increase foot traffic for local businesses and draw interest in parts of downtown that would otherwise be overlooked.”

“Marking nearly 30 years rooted within the greater downtown Bethesda community, we sought to improve Bethesda Row’s retail mix, and enhance the public experience throughout,” said Federal Realty Senior Vice President John Tschiderer, “Our latest multi-million-dollar investment represents a substantial property improvement project, including façade upgrades, re-designed public gathering places, improved landscape, new public seating, enhanced lighting and art additions throughout along with the new public parking art installations, which will better incorporate the garage into the greater neighborhood presentation.”

“We are excited about this partnership with Federal Realty, which brings art into our communities,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Public art installations contribute to vibrant downtown communities and raise the profile of the arts by making art exciting and accessible. We hope to encourage more partnerships like this in the future.”

Photos courtesy MCDOT

Bethesda Row installs new sign (Photos)

Bethesda Row property owner Federal Realty has installed a new sign at the southwest corner of the development. It is placed at the corner of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road, outside of Uncle Julio's. The sign features the recent updated logo for the property, which alludes to the iconic arch over Bethesda Lane. Last night, the sign was already lit, even though there are still construction cones around it.

Roaming Rooster coming to Pike & Rose

Roaming Rooster, a fast casual restaurant chain known for its fried chicken sandwiches, is expanding to Montgomery County this fall. It will open an 1843 square foot location at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda. Among the chain's other locations are Tenleytown and Woodridge in the District. 

Started as a food truck in 2015, Roaming Rooster has become one of the most-successful family and minority-owned hospitality businesses in the region since. In addition to its famous free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal fried chicken sandwiches, the chain also offers an all-week breakfast menu, salads, side dishes, chicken wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries. The sandwiches are available in your choice of heat level: mild, medium or hot.

Roaming Rooster breakfast
biscuit sandwich

“We chose Pike & Rose in Montgomery County because we want to be part of a neighborhood that features premier retailers, restaurants and services,” Roaming Rooster co-owner Michael Habtemariam said in a press release. “As a supporter of the DMV’s local businesses, Federal [Realty] is eager to bring this popular regional favorite to its first location in Maryland and Montgomery County,” Federal Realty Director of Leasing Emily Gagliardi added.

Boardroom Salon sets opening date in North Bethesda

Boardroom Salon for Men has set a new opening date for its first Maryland location at 12031 Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. The salon is now scheduled to open March 31, 2021. As you can see, the salon interior does emit an upscale den-steakhouse-lodge ambiance. 

Various member tiers are available, including limited Founders memberships at a special price, with a silver Founders tumbler while supplies last. You can sign up for memberships, and schedule appointments, on the Boardroom website.

As an example of the level of service you will receive at Boardroom Salon, the their signature The Benchmark appointment includes the following:

• Personal consultation

• Tailored haircut with precision neck shave
• Personalized shampoo + conditioning
• Scalp massage
• Pressure-point facial massage
• Steamed towel
• Paraffin hand dip
• Stress-relieving hand massage
• Expert styling and tips to replicate the finished look every day

 

Boardroom Salon is the latest tenant in the new, Rockville Pike-facing retail structure at the Federal Realty-owned property. “We are thrilled to partner with Boardroom Salon for Men on their expansion into Maryland and know the salon will be well-positioned for long-term success at Montrose Crossing,” Federal Realty VP of Asset Management Mickey Papillon said in a statement Thursday.

 

Federal Realty comments on future of Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row

Property owner plans to keep restaurant as

"a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come"

When property owner Federal Realty recently previewed plans for future development at Bethesda Row that showed the site of Uncle Julio's being redeveloped as part of a new building, this led to much public discussion about the fate of the popular restaurant. I now have a statement from Federal Realty about this question:

"Uncle Julio’s has been a fixture in Bethesda for over 33 years and a partner with Federal Realty for almost 20 years. Amid the excitement of our proposed plan to add housing to downtown Bethesda at Bethesda Row, there has been some confusion about whether or not Uncle Julio’s is leaving the neighborhood. While we have taken the first steps toward seeking approval for a residential and retail project, it could take several years to bring to fruition. We value our relationship with Uncle Julio’s and plan to keep them as a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come." 

So it appears there is no closure imminent for Uncle Julio's (a.k.a. Rio Grande by many longtime residents). And as I mentioned in my coverage of the new development plans, there is always the real possibility that even when this development happens in the future, that Uncle Julio's could return in the ground floor of the new building or move to another space at Bethesda Row. 

One additional piece of context here: The cap on housing growth in the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan is impelling many property owners to seek approval of new buildings now, even if they don't plan to break ground at this time. Such approvals have a life span, and extensions on them can be sought. 

Therefore, Uncle Julio's isn't going anywhere anytime soon. And the future plans do not mean that the restaurant won't remain a Bethesda fixture into that future.

More details about new Bethesda Row development emerge at community meeting

UPDATE - March 8, 2021: This article has been updated to include a statement from Federal Realty regarding the future of Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row

Additional details about a new development project proposed for 7070 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row emerged at a required community meeting that was held virtually last night. Representatives for property owner Federal Realty made a presentation featuring the renderings I showed you last week, and answered questions for about 50 participants, one of the highest number of people to participate in a virtual development meeting since they became the norm.

One key detail revealed was that the proposed building will be 100' tall despite the site being zoned for a 90' height limit. The extra floor will be made possible by the number of affordable units being included in the building. Federal Realty has not determined the dimensions of units yet, as they plan to respond to current market conditions - such as greater numbers of people working from home, and needing more living space for that reason.

Another prominent topic was the future of Uncle Julio's at the corner of Arlington and Bethesda Avenue. It will have to be demolished to make room for the northernmost wing of the building, but there is currently no set closing date for Uncle Julio's, nor a groundbreaking date for the new project. One attendee expressed a positive opinion about the existing Uncle Julio's structure.

In a response to public discussion about the future of Uncle Julio's, Federal Realty released the following statement:

Uncle Julio’s has been a fixture in Bethesda for over 33 years and a partner with Federal Realty for almost 20 years. Amid the excitement of our proposed plan to add housing to downtown Bethesda at Bethesda Row, there has been some confusion about whether or not Uncle Julio’s is leaving the neighborhood. While we have taken the first steps toward seeking approval for a residential and retail project, it could take several years to bring to fruition. We value our relationship with Uncle Julio’s and plan to keep them as a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come. 

Even the architectural design is not determined yet, Stefano Sani of architecture firm Hickok Cole said last night. The objective will be "warm, friendly textured materials with interesting articulation,” he said. Retail or restaurant space will be integrated into the building on the ground floor along Arlington Road. One architectural detail that is set is the through-building delivery and loading dock roadway on the Arlington Road side of the property. 

Balconies will be designed to connect outdoor and indoor living space for residents, and the corner of the property where Uncle Julio's stands is hoped to be a place for people to meet up. Attorney Patricia Harris said Federal Realty would like to design a corner similar to the one across Bethesda Avenue outside of Amazon Books, saying that corner areas are among the most interesting spaces in downtown Bethesda.

Also known is that parking will be underground, and an automated parking system is also anticipated for the rear of the building. It will be stacked parking run by a mechanical system. This will be the second development in downtown Bethesda to boast a robotic parking system if such a mechanism is delivered with the building (the other is the proposed residential building at the southwest corner of Edgemoor Lane and Woodmont Avenue). Some of the current surface parking behind the low-rise retail stores on Bethesda Avenue will be retained, as well.

As I described last week, retail trucks will enter the driveway from Arlington Road, parallel park on a drive lane beneath the building, and proceed forward to exit on the Bethesda Avenue side of the property. Moving vans and other delivery trucks will back up to the residential loading dock using the same pass-through, or will pull up in the automated parking system lane. All back-up activities are to take place off-street. Uber and Lyft vehicles will also use the same pass-through to pick up and drop off residents and guests.

Sani said that Federal Realty is seeking strong interaction between the outdoor and indoor spaces on the ground floor. Restaurant tenants may have roll-up front doors, for example.

Harris was asked about litigation "regarding actually meeting affordable housing in your properties." She said she was unaware of such litigation. Harris added that the only problem she has heard of has been MPDU condominiums that might charge high condo fees, and that this will not be an issue for rental apartments. The topic of developer contributions to Montgomery County Councilmembers was also raised at one point.

New Bethesda Row development at 7070 Arlington Road would demolish Uncle Julio's (Photos)

UPDATE - March 8, 2021: This article has been updated to include a statement from Federal Realty regarding the future of Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row

The first renderings of the new development proposed for 7070 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row show Uncle Julio's being replaced at the corner of Arlington and Bethesda Avenue. Property owner Federal Realty plans to retain the Apple Store and other retail and restaurant structures east of Uncle Julio's along the south side of Bethesda Avenue. On the sites of Uncle Julio's, the small retail structure between Uncle Julio's and the future Audi Bethesda dealership on Arlington Road, and the parking lot behind the stores on Bethesda Avenue would rise a residential building of up to 90' with ground floor retail.

The development will not please fans of Uncle Julio's, one of the most-popular restaurants at Bethesda Row. Of course, it could return in the ground floor of the new development. And given Federal Realty's track record at Bethesda Row and Pike & Rose, whichever tenants do fill the ground floor retail are almost certain to be A-list names.

In response to concerns over the future of Uncle Julio's, Federal Realty provided the following statement:

Uncle Julio’s has been a fixture in Bethesda for over 33 years and a partner with Federal Realty for almost 20 years. Amid the excitement of our proposed plan to add housing to downtown Bethesda at Bethesda Row, there has been some confusion about whether or not Uncle Julio’s is leaving the neighborhood. While we have taken the first steps toward seeking approval for a residential and retail project, it could take several years to bring to fruition. We value our relationship with Uncle Julio’s and plan to keep them as a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come. 

One other positive that jumps out in the early renderings is a feature that many downtown residents have sought but rarely found in recent developments - an on-property solution for delivery and loading trucks. Here, Federal Realty appears to be taking the same approach as JBG Smith has at 8001 Woodmont. An internal driveway will pass through the building, allowing trucks to enter on one side, unload, and then simply continue forward to exit on the other side. This prevents the problem of trucks blocking traffic lanes or sidewalks.

Expect more details to be revealed at the virtual community meeting regarding the project, which will be held Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM.

Renderings courtesy Federal Realty/Hickok Cole

New residential building proposed for Bethesda Row

A previous plan showed a 90'
residential building on the surface
parking lot behind the Apple Store

A new development that would add more residential housing to Bethesda Row has been proposed. Federal Realty is seeking to construct a 275,000 square foot multifamily residential building with ground floor retail on the south side of Bethesda Avenue, between Woodmont Avenue and Arlington Road. 

It is unclear if the site location is similar to one shown by Federal Realty in 2016, which depicted a 90' tall building replacing most of the surface parking lot behind existing storefronts on that block. It would also have replaced the one-story retail structure south of Uncle Julio's on Arlington Road. The newly proposed building lists similar height limits of 90' and 70'.

The Sketch and Preliminary Plans will be unveiled at a virtual meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM. To participate that evening, go to http://global.gotomeeting.com/join/852706005, or call 1-571-317-3112 and enter access code 852-706-005.

909 Rose is one of the DC area's few pandemic-ready office buildings

We've been hearing for months about how office buildings will have to be updated to adapt to the new abnormal of Covid-19, and potential future pandemics. But Federal Realty's new Class A office building at its Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda is one of the few pandemic-ready workspaces in the Washington, D.C. area.

909 Rose, located at 909 Rose Avenue, has several of the features landlords worldwide are considering already installed. These include a dedicated outdoor air system, which circulates 30% more fresh air through the building than required by code.

The building also has the Schindler touchless elevator PORT technology already built in. This eliminates the issue of high-touch elevator button surfaces, and potentially could be utilized to reduce the number of passengers aboard the elevator at one time, a second concern in Covid spread via elevators.

In addition to these rare features, the building also has open floor plates. This is essential at a time when office floorplans are being rethought, and physical separations between workers - including screens, cubicles or assigning employees their own office - are now considered ideal.

Windows are also designed for maximum natural light penetration, which might be an additional plus as direct sunlight is known to kill Covid-19, up to 90% in 34 minutes according to a recent study. And when internet reliability for devices and teleconferencing has never been of more concern, 909 Rose is Wired Silver certified, with a 100% uptime guarantee.

Considering that the building was complete when the pandemic struck, at too late a stage to have suddenly added such integral design elements, the features are a minor coup for Federal Realty in marketing the building. Federal Realty will have these advantages for its own employees, as its headquarters office is one of the already-signed tenants, along with OneDigital.

Pike & Rose to add new dog park, shipping container bar

New additions to Prose Street are in the works at Pike & Rose. A new pop-up bar will be constructed out of refurbished shipping containers there, where The Beach at Pike & Rose has drawn crowds the two previous summers.

The bar's concept has not been made public yet, but you can see an example of a beer garden that was built out of shipping containers at Assembly Row in Boston, another property in Pike & Rose owner Federal Realty's portfolio. Also coming to Prose Street will be a fenced-in dog park.

On second thought...

Bethesda Row removes new

curbside pickup spaces from

Bethesda Lane driveway

Just 48 hours after striping curbside pickup spaces onto the driveway at the entry to Bethesda Lane, Federal Realty has removed the icons that had been applied to the brick pavers in both spaces. Other curbside pickup spaces remain along the street at Bethesda Row.

Bethesda Row adds new spaces for curbside pickup

Local businesses continue to adjust plans for the new abnormal of the coronavirus era. As Maryland begins taking steps to reopen its economy, Federal Realty is adding additional designated curbside pickup spaces for customers who have placed takeout orders with restaurants at Bethesda Row. 

These are in the sloped driveway at the end of Bethesda Lane along Bethesda Avenue. Allowing cars to fully get out of the street while waiting for food to be brought out, these are more like the dedicated pickup spaces increasingly found at fast food restaurants and big box retailers like Walmart and Target.

909 Rose tops out at Pike & Rose (Video+Photos)

909 Rose, the future Class A office building at Rose Avenue and Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose, has topped out. Delivery of the 200000 SF building is anticipated for the spring of 2020. In a weak Montgomery County office market that hasn't attracted a major corporate headquarters in over twenty years, property owner Federal Realty has taken the same practical tack as JBG Smith - they will move their own headquarters down Rockville Pike into this building.