ROOF CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

In an odd sequence of events, just after posting new signage, rooftop restaurant and bar Roof has closed in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. Hopefully someone can turn this promising space into the place to see and be seen in downtown Bethesda.

Roof has gone dark

ROOFTOP RESTAURANT OPENS AT ROOF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Last evening was the first official night of Alan Pohoryles' long-awaited rooftop, the architectural centerpiece that gives new Bethesda restaurant Roof its name. The weather isn't as pleasant as it will be, but last night's temperatures felt downright warm compared to a few days ago.

Diners didn't have to miss the NCAA tournament. March Madness continued as scheduled on large flatscreens outside on the roof.

Roof is the only full-scale rooftop restaurant and bar in Bethesda. The Doubletree Bethesda hotel has food, cigar and adult beverage events on its rooftop, and Mexican restaurant Tía Queta has a rooftop patio on Del Ray Avenue. So this will be quite the novelty this spring, summer and fall. One other interesting issue will be neighbors' response to the noise. I reported yesterday that some residents of Triangle Towers have already complained, before the rooftop had even opened to the general public. This type of complaint is not unique to Roof; balancing nightlife with residential neighbors is one of the big challenges ahead, as the county considers expanding bar hours, and exempting venues from some current noise restrictions.

Rooftops like this are needed, to move ahead in one category of dining and nightlife where Bethesda has previously trailed Clarendon and the District.

The first official rooftop
diners enjoy the view
of the
Woodmont Triangle
district from Roof

ROOF BETHESDA HOPING TO OPEN FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER (PHOTO)

Roof Bethesda, the first rooftop bar/restaurant of its kind in Bethesda, is targeting the first week in December for its grand opening, according to owner Alan Pohoryles. That is if everything goes according to plan, so the date is not set in stone yet. But it certainly is a positive indication for those who have been eagerly awaiting this opening.

The only other rooftop venues in town are the rooftop pool lounge at the Doubletree Bethesda hotel, and the rooftop patio at Tia Queta on Del Ray Avenue.

Roof Bethesda, at 7940 Norfolk Avenue, is also currently hiring servers.

NEW ROOFTOP RESTAURANT COMING TO DOWNTOWN BETHESDA!!

OPEN AIR RESTAURANT

AND BAR EXPECTED TO

OPEN IN MID-2013

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

One category that Bethesda has fallen behind DC and Clarendon in, is rooftop restaurants and bars.  Right now we have the Doubletree rooftop, and the upstairs patio at Tia Queta, and, well, that's about it.

That's going to change next year!

Regular readers may recall my ongoing coverage of the old, brick building on the northwest corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.  Its future has been an ongoing mystery for some time.  First it was going to be a luxury condo building called The Veneto.  That never happened.  There seemed to be a number of options floated on various signs attached to the building this year.

Recently, the latest signs disappeared, and some interesting activity began to take place - which I'll get to in a moment.

But you probably have guessed where I'm going with this:  Yes, I have now confirmed officially that 4901 Cordell Avenue/7940 Norfolk Avenue (one building, two addresses) is going to be reborn as...

Norfolk-Cordell II.

Rendering: Steven J. Karr AIA, Inc.

 I have to say, this is one of the few exciting projects underway in downtown Bethesda.  First of all, it is practically all glass around the facade.  It looks fantastic.  Second of all, it is going to house two, elevated dining patios - one on the second floor, and the main attraction, the rooftop restaurant and bar.

The building and rooftop are being developed by renowned Montgomery County architect Steven J. Karr.  Karr says the client he is building the two-floor restaurant/bar for is undisclosed at this time.  But with the multi-level size, I wonder if it could be a well-known national chain.

On the ground floor will be upscale retail space, and the lobby and elevator to reach the restaurant upstairs.  Floor 2 will house a 3,800 square foot, full-service restaurant with seating for 122, and a private dining room for 32 people.  The second floor will also contain the establishment's main bar, with 46 bar stools, and standing room for 71.  Last, but not least, there will be the second floor outdoor patio with 60 seats.

The best part is the rooftop.  1700 square feet of dining space for 156 people, and an 800 square foot rooftop bar with 19 stools, and standing room for 70.

Here's the cool part today:  You can fly in, over and around the rooftop restaurant like Superman (or Supergirl) with this 3D simulation that will start up when you click here. 

I'm excited about the design, and getting another rooftop in Bethesda.  This will be a low-rise structure, but the views should still be nice.

Of course, to get the new building is going to mean destroying at least a portion of the old building.  That's the "activity" I referred to earlier.

First, the lease signs vanished.  Then some work was going on.  Then a brace appeared on the back wall.  The next day, a bunch of braces.  Then a large construction vehicle.   Clearly a project was moving forward, and sure enough, the next day a fence went up around the building, and a demolition sign appeared outside.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

So I went in search of the answer, and here it is today.

Are you ready for a W Hotel rooftop experience in downtown Bethesda?  I knew you would be.