Bethesda demolition update: Miller and Long building destroyed (Photos)

Demolition continues at the future site of Donohoe's second residential tower across the plaza from the existing Gallery Bethesda apartments. The Miller and Long building at the corner of Del Ray and Rugby Avenues is no more.

Miller & Long moving in downtown Bethesda

Miller & Long's tower cranes are a common sight in post-recession downtown Bethesda. One of the latest projects is hitting close to home for the construction firm - the site of its headquarters at 4824 Rugby Avenue.

The HQ is moving south in Bethesda, down to the recently-renovated 7101 Wisconsin Avenue office building. Their current offices on the future site of The Rugby apartment tower will soon be demolished to make way for that twin tower to the Gallery Bethesda apartments. Coincidentally, The Rugby's developer - The Donohoe Companies - recently moved offices into 7101 Wisconsin as well.

Demolition permit requested for Miller and Long building in Bethesda

A demolition permit has been requested for the headquarters of Miller and Long at 4824 Rugby Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The building is coming down to make way for The Rugby, a mixed-use project being developed and constructed by The Donohoe Companies.

BETHESDA BIG TRAIN CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CLASSIC TICKETS ON SALE

Baseball season is nearly here, but it's time to make plans for a visit to Bethesda's own baseball park, Shirley Povich Field, for the Bethesda Big Train FanFest and Celebrity Softball Classic on April 12. The game will start at 7:00 PM, but come early for FanFest at 5:30 PM, for family-friendly rides, games, giveaways and a Redskins-themed auction. There'll also be free food for the first 500 people.

The media team has the most household names of local celebrities, including Chris Cooley, Fred Smoot, Chick Hernandez, Mike Wise, Julie Donaldson, Lindsay Murphy, Kristen Berset, Dianna Russini and DJ Chris Styles.

On the athlete roster, you'll find the Washington Redskins well-represented, including Ryan Kerrigan, Kai Forbath, Nick Sundberg, Perry Riley, Niles Paul, Kedrick Golston and Chris Wilson. Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris of the Washington Spirit soccer team, and University of Maryland favorite Byron Mouton will round out the athlete squad.

Proceeds from the game will benefit Arizona Cardinal Lorenzo Alexander's ACES Foundation, The Brave Dave Open, and the Washington Redskins Alumni Association. Game sponsors include adidas, Buffalo Wild Wings, Giant Food, and two hometown Bethesda companies: Miller & Long and Honest Tea.

Tickets are available now online, and what a great way to help several causes, while making a downpayment on warmer weather! You can get an idea of what the event will be like by watching the video below (the audio is silent due to YouTube muting it, so don't adjust your volume).

Shirley Povich Field, 10600 Westlake Dr.

NEW TOWER CRANE ASSEMBLED AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

Time to brush up on crane signals again.

A second tower crane now looms over Bethesda Row, at the construction site of The Darcy, The Flats and a 900-space underground public parking garage. It was assembled ahead of schedule by Miller and Long yesterday.

"Lower the boom, and raise the load!"

THAT 70s BUILDING RISING SKYWARD IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Donohoe is making big-time progress constructing That 70s Building (a.k.a. The Gallery at Bethesda). Three floors are now up above Auburn and Del Ray Avenues. There's little question which of Bethesda's luxury buildings will be completed first, at this rate.  You've got to hand it to Donohoe and Miller and Long: this is one impressive construction effort.

STAR PLACED ATOP CRANE AT BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION SITE (PHOTOS)

The Miller and Long crane helping to erect That 70s Building (a.k.a. The Gallery at Bethesda) is taking a star turn for the holidays.

Workers have placed a large, light-up star atop the crane, which previously was unlit at night.

Airplanes and helicopters should have no difficulty noticing the crane now! Down below the crane, Tia Queta was also lit up nicely, projecting a festive mood and colors.

CRANE WEEK IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA! EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!

Two cranes appeared over Bethesda Saturday.   In the
foreground is Donohoe's on Auburn Ave.; in the
distance is Bainbridge's on St. Elmo Ave.

Welcome to Crane Week in downtown Bethesda.  No matter what apartment, condo or office building you are in, you can't miss the towering giants now looming over us.  Hulking, steel monstrosities that are more exciting than the lackluster buildings they've been erected to create:  Bainbridge's The Monty, and Donohoe's That 70s Building (a.k.a. The Gallery at Bethesda).

As usual, Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row is the place to turn for full coverage, and Crane Week is no exception.  Get outside to check out the cranes yourself in the Woodmont Triangle (or Old Town Bethesda, to be more accurate).  But with a lot of rain in the forecast today and Tuesday, you'll be glad to know that the best crane action is indoors, on your computer, tablet or smartphone, right here on this blog.

CRANE PHOTO GALLERY 

This morning, you'll find the number of photos in the gallery has already more than doubled.  And more are on the way.  You can even watch the cranes being assembled.

Stay tuned for more Crane Week coverage this week.  In fact, I'll be posting another exclusive Crane Week surprise later today.

Soon, a third crane will join the Bethesda skyline, right here at Bethesda Row, to build The Darcy on the former Lot 31.

There's no known cure for crane fever, so you might as well relax and enjoy the coverage right here on Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row.

MASSIVE CRANES RISE ABOVE DOWNTOWN BETHESDA - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!!

Construction crews and big rigs flooded into downtown Bethesda Saturday, giving a hint of the development to come.

One crew worked at Bainbridge's The Monty, while the other was at That 70s Building [a.k.a. The Gallery at Bethesda].  Both teams assembled towering cranes at their respective sites.

Here is an exclusive photo gallery:

Beyond Jiffy Shoppes and Chef Tony's on
St. Elmo, the Bainbridge crane begins to
take shape

Flagmen stop traffic as workers prepare to
raise the crane's cab up to its
gravity-defying perch

There it goes!  Up...

...up...

...up!  The Eagle has landed

Meet Crane #2, assisting construction of
That 70s Building between Del Ray and
Auburn Avenues

Auburn Avenue was completely shut down
for assembly of the Miller and Long crane.
Note the vintage WHFS radio transmitting
tower atop Triangle Towers

A classic Freightliner truck stands by as the
crew prepares to hoist a counterweight up
to the crane arm

We have liftoff of the counterweight

Counterweight on its way up...

...way up...

...waaaaay up...

Almost there...

Success!  Now to secure it in place...

Counterweights securely in place

View of assembled Miller & Long crane
from ...Miller & Long!