Crew preparing Bethesda's historic Wilson Store for cross-town move (Photos)

Work has begun on the relocation of the historic Wilson Store building at 7250 Wisconsin Avenue. It is the only 19th-century building remaining in downtown Bethesda, and was later known as Community Paint and Hardware. Most recently, it was home to United Bank.

This isn't the first time the store has moved for new development at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue - it was moved a short distance when the Apex Building was constructed in the late 1980s. But this move will be significantly farther than the first. Its new destination is a public parking lot on Middleton Lane. There are some concerns about the clearance on the streets the store will have to travel. Will traffic signals or trees have to be moved or trimmed, respectively?

I need some of our resident construction experts to weigh in on what exactly they are doing here to prepare for the relocation. They've excavated around the foundation, and you can see rebar sticking out of the rubble alongside the building. The move is to make way for the massive mixed-use project at 7272 Wisconsin by Carr Properties.

BETHESDA BANK DEMOLITION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

It's all over but the crying at the former site of United Bank on Old Georgetown Road. The rubble and debris are being carted away, making this a rare subtraction of a bank in a county currently exploding with new branches opening (with TD Bank seeming to have unlimited resources, in that regard). Technically, we didn't lose a bank, as United moved to Wisconsin Avenue prior to the demolition. As I mentioned previously, the bank is being replaced by a luxury residential building.

BETHESDA BANK DEMOLITION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here's what's left of the old United Bank building on Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda.

BETHESDA BANK DEMOLITION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Demolition continues at the former United Bank building at 7535 Old Georgetown Road, in downtown Bethesda. United Bank has moved to 7845 Wisconsin Avenue. The bank is being replaced by a luxury residential building. Here is the progress so far (click photos to enlarge for detail):

Would you park here?

BETHESDA BANK PREPARES FOR DEMOLITION (PHOTOS)

The former location of United Bank (now moved to Wisconsin Avenue) is now boarded up, and awaiting demolition. In its place on Old Georgetown Road, near the Bethesda Metro Center, will be a luxury apartment building. I wonder if the stones used in building this were from the quarry on River Road, just west of the Beltway, that was recently redeveloped as luxury housing?

UNITED BANK MOVING IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

United Bank, for which a demolition permit has been requested, is moving from its 7535 Old Georgetown Road location to 7845 Wisconsin Avenue, at Chase Avenue. They will be taking over the old Charleston Alexander jewelry store space on the south corner, on the same block as CVS Pharmacy. Their move has been delayed a few days due to the recent snowstorm. United's regional manager, Ron Burley, says customers who have any questions may call 301-654-2757.

DEMOLITION PERMIT REQUESTED FOR BETHESDA BANK (PHOTO)

Developer Kettler has applied for a demolition permit for a former bank branch at 7535 Old Georgetown Road, in downtown Bethesda. The demolition will make way for the company's 15-story luxury apartment project.

UNITED BANK CLOSES RIVER ROAD BRANCH IN BETHESDA

United Bank has closed its River Road branch in the Kenwood Professional Building in Bethesda.

The space is now for lease.

United retains two other Bethesda branches, on Old Georgetown Road and on Wisconsin Avenue.