B.F. Saul promises "beautiful landmark" for Bethesda with Rockefeller Center-inspired Metro Tower project

Bethesda-based developer B.F. Saul unveiled plans for its Metro Plaza mixed-use tower, planned to replace an existing office building at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue. Torti Gallas + Partners President John Francis Torti led the presentation at a public meeting last night, and promised attendees a "beautiful landmark on the Metro plaza."

"It's a building of elegant proportions," Torti said, which will also be sensitive to the pedestrian experience at its base. The 250' tower will be set back 25' from the curb of Wisconsin Avenue, and 15' from the curbs of Elm Street and Hampden Lane. Torti envisions style elements that reminded many of Rockefeller Center in New York, with two-story storefronts for its ground-level retail. The art deco design will also stand out from the more-modern architecture of The Wilson and The Elm, 290' towers that will be Metro Tower's next-door neighbors in the next decade. Torti also cited the Bethesda Naval Hospital tower as another great art deco structure in the area.

Expect 370-390 rental apartment units above the retail, with .5 parking spaces per unit, as the development will be within the downtown Bethesda parking district. B.F. Saul noted at the meeting that the firm holds onto its properties unlike some other developers, and is therefore fully invested in their success and longevity.

Saul will submit its sketch plan to Montgomery County by the end of this month. The designs showed a significant lighting feature atop the building, similar to the Chevy Chase Bank tower also developed by Saul, a feature missing on many dull and dark rooflines among the post-Great Recession buildings in Montgomery County.

ART DECO POP-UP SHOP CLOSES ON NORFOLK AVENUE (PHOTOS)

As Time Goes Buy, an interesting pop-up shop at 7920 Norfolk Avenue, has vacated the premises as expected after the end of holiday shopping season. The Dare to Deco collection included art pieces, furnishings and replicas of the Art Deco period. Now we can officially start prognosticating again about Douglas Development luring Shake Shack to this vacant spot.

MORE DETAILS ON NEW ART DECO POP-UP STORE IN BETHESDA

The windows have been covered at the Art Deco pop-up store expected to open this Friday at 7920 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. But a notice posted on the storefront contains new details about the store, which may (or may not) be called As Time Goes Buy.

Open through January 3, 2015, the store will feature "a collection of historic artifacts that reflect 'a moment in time,' as seen through the artistry of famous and also little-known, often obscure, brilliant artists and designers of the day."

The "Dare to Deco" collection will also feature works from the 19th and 20th century, as well as replicas made from the artists' original molds.

ART DECO POP-UP STORE OPENING FRIDAY IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The wishful pondering over what might take over Douglas Development's space at 7920 Norfolk Avenue is over - temporarily. An art deco pop-up store will open in the former Berry Yogurt space this Friday, October 17, and operate through January 3. Inventory includes paintings, furniture and other objets d'art. Movers were unpacking at the store last evening.

While the lease is certain, a last minute naming decision remains. The owner of the business is currently considering Chronicles or Time Goes By as possible names.

As a fanatic of all things Art Deco (including the Bethesda Theater and Glen Echo Amusement Park), this sounds like something interesting to check out when it opens.

Movers unload a painting
for the shop last evening
on Norfolk Avenue

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ SUPPER CLUB SNEAK PREVIEW (VIDEO)

Yesterday I was at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club press conference, and I brought back some video for you of that spectacular Streamline Art Deco movie theater, and from the press conference itself.

Owner Rick Brown said that some regulars at Glen Echo Park's famous Spanish Ballroom convinced him to not only place a new dance floor in front of the stage, but to put a layer of cork beneath it.

Brown also said there is the potential to host a House of Blues-style Gospel Brunch on Sundays in the future.  All of the more general details are covered in the above video.

The club opens Friday.

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ UPDATES BETHESDA THEATRE MARQUEE (PHOTOS)

After years of static and outdated messages (including a personal birthday message that lingered long past the birthday), the marquee at the historic Bethesda Theatre has come alive again, as the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club approaches its grand opening. I'm looking forward to seeing some big names in lights on Wisconsin Avenue in the coming years.