Pines of Rome building for sale in Bethesda

A building housing one of Bethesda's longest-operating and most-beloved restaurants has just hit the market. 4918 Cordell Avenue has been home to Pines of Rome since it moved there from 4709 Hampden Lane in October 2017. It includes not only the restaurant, but also some additional land and vehicle parking space. 

Pines of Rome is still open for business, and cannot be forced out, as the restaurant owners purchased the property in 2016 prior to relocating here. Maryland real estate records indicate that the property has not be resold since. What will happen to the restaurant and its famous white pizza if the building changes hands is unclear at this time. The asking price for the property is $3,750,000, according to the online sale listing. While the listing does not name the restaurant, the square footage, date of construction, and - most obviously - the street address match Pines of Rome.

Owning the property means that the astronomical rents most Bethesda restaurants struggle under are not an issue. However, the current property tax valuation of $2,888,500 would represent an astronomical property tax payment due annually. And massively hiking property taxes is far from the only burden the anti-business Montgomery County Council has piled onto business owners (and residents) in the County. In the years since Pines of Rome moved to this location, the Council has put the minimum wage on steroids, and raised a variety of taxes and fees. And all Montgomery County restaurants and bars still must buy all their alcoholic beverages from the County government liquor monopoly, unlike their competitors across the D.C. line and the Potomac River.

Pines of Rome to reopen in Bethesda

Pines of Rome will reopen this Wednesday, December 16, 2020. The longtime restaurant announced it was temporarily closing until-further-notice for "emergency renovations" last Thursday.

Pines of Rome temporarily closes for "emergency renovations" in Bethesda

Pines of Rome, one of the oldest restaurants still operating in downtown Bethesda, abruptly announced it was closing for "emergency renovations" Thursday, just as Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich declared his intention to ban indoor dining as early as next Tuesday. The owner said they hope to reopen "in a few weeks." Their online ordering website further specifies they will be closed "between December 10 and December 24" in one spot, while another blurb above that says "until further notice."

If approved by the County Council next Tuesday, restaurants and bars will be restricted to outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery sales until further notice. Covid-19 case numbers and hospital bed occupancy rates have spiked after Thanksgiving gatherings and travel, leading officials to revise their policies. Another Bethesda landmark, Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle, already permanently closed this year. The Irish pub's owner blamed earlier pandemic restrictions on live music, and the Bethesda Streetery, for its demise.

Pines of Rome reopens after minor updates

After a brief closure this week, the new Pines of Rome at 4918 Cordell Avenue has reopened. It appears the closure was to address some minor code issues related to the sign and entryway.

Pines of Rome cited by MoCo for new sign

According to Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services records, code enforcement inspectors visited the new Pines of Rome location at 4918 Cordell Avenue this week, and have issued a code violation notice for the lighted sign that was added to the building. No sign permit was issued by the County for that installation, an inspector determined.

Inspectors also took issue with the new front entrance to the restaurant, which is now flush with the sidewalk, rather than recessed as it was for previous tenant Matuba. This means that the new front door opens outward into the public right-of-way. The relocated restaurant has been open for only ten days.

Pines of Rome sign at night (Photo)

Pines of Rome reopened in its new Cordell Avenue location this past Monday. Here's a photo of the new sign lit up at night, which I had not previously posted. It's notable considering that during all the years of popularity at their Hampden Lane location, they never actually had a true sign like this.

Pines of Rome returns in Bethesda today

Pines of Rome's move across town has gone like clockwork, and the venerable Bethesda favorite is now ready to open in its new location today, Monday, October 9, 2017 at 11:30 AM. After 37 years in business, the Italian restaurant's new home is at 4918 Cordell Avenue. What would be better on a rainy day like this, than a lunch of white pizza at Pines of Rome?

Pines of Rome to open today in new Bethesda location

Pines of Rome's move across town has gone like clockwork, and the venerable Bethesda favorite is now ready to open in its new location today, Monday, October 9, 2017 at 11:30 AM. After 37 years in business, the Italian restaurant's new home is at 4918 Cordell Avenue. What would be better on a rainy day like this, than a lunch of white pizza at Pines of Rome?

Pines of Rome to reopen in about two weeks on Cordell Ave., current location will close tonight

Pines of Rome expects to reopen in its new location at 4918 Cordell Avenue in about two weeks, the restaurant's owner said Saturday. The signs for the new location were installed on Friday, and today will be the last day the current location at 4709 Hampden Lane, he said. Looking forward to the first meal at the new Pines!

Pines of Rome installs signage at new location (Photos)

The permanent signs were installed at the future home of Pines of Rome at 4918 Cordell Avenue on Friday. Pines of Rome is scheduled to close temporarily this Sunday, and then reopen on Cordell in October. Its longtime Hampden Lane location will be redeveloped by Douglas Development.

Pines of Rome to close in current location Sunday, Sept. 24 ahead of move

Pines of Rome will temporarily close this Sunday, September 24, 2017 at its current 4709 Hampden Lane location, according to an announcement posted at the restaurant. The longtime Bethesda favorite will reopen in October in its new location at 4918 Cordell Avenue. There is not a set date for the grand reopening yet, the owner said this morning, as they have some logistical issues to work out first. Stay tuned for the reopening date.

Pines of Rome gearing up for next chapter in Bethesda (Photos)

Pines of Rome is preparing its new home on Cordell Avenue, after decades at its venerable location on Hampden Lane. Work is underway at 4918 Cordell Avenue, including new paint and the removal of former tenant Matuba's external sign.

A Bethesda institution since 1972, Pines of Rome last week sought a transfer of its liquor license to the new location from Montgomery County. As of last night, the current Pines of Rome location at 4709 Hampden Lane was still fully open and serving white pizza, fresh seafood and other favorites. I will of course let you know when the actual move happens.

Pines of Rome to move to Cordell Avenue

Plans have changed again for Bethesda's venerable Italian restaurant, Pines of Rome. After announcing in April that they would be remaining at 4709 Hampden Lane "for the next few years or so," the owners are now preparing for a move to the new space they've secured at 4918 Cordell Avenue. They have requested a transfer of their liquor license to the new location, which was previously occupied by Matuba.

Douglas Development owns the building Pines of Rome currently occupies, but Douglas has waffled on moving ahead with redevelopment of that site (along with the former Tommy Joe's restaurant behind it on Montgomery Lane) for several years. Pines of Rome now applying for a transfer of location suggests Douglas may have moved their plans back to the front burner once again. Pines of Rome has been a Bethesda landmark since 1972.

There is no announced date for the move from the current location; I will update as soon as I can get that information. With their liquor license hearing being August 3, it's unlikely they would move prior to then, as they would be unable to sell liquor.

Pines of Rome to remain in current Bethesda location for the near future

Douglas Development owns the
Pines of Rome building, and the
former location of Tommy Joe's
behind it in Bethesda

The venerable Pines of Rome will be staying put at 4709 Hampden Lane for the foreseeable future. While the popular Italian spot's owner had been preparing for a more imminent move (as soon as the end of this month, according to a source) to the former Matuba space on Cordell Avenue, those plans have now changed.

Pines of Rome will remain in its current location "for the next few years or so," a spokesperson for the restaurant said in a message this morning. So while an eventual move across town remains almost inevitable, you'll be enjoying their famous white pizza on Hampden Lane for a while longer than expected.

Fans of the beloved restaurant, a neighborhood institution since 1972, had been fearful Pines of Rome would be closing since Douglas Development bought their property 3 years ago. The new property on Cordell Avenue assures the survival of the restaurant, even if the scenery ends up changing in a few years.