DEMOLITION PERMIT ISSUED FOR 4825 MONTGOMERY LANE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

House to fall, 4-unit condo development to rise in its place

Montgomery County has issued a demolition permit for the single family home at 4825 Montgomery Lane, in downtown Bethesda.

Once demolished, it will be replaced by a 4-story, 4-unit condominium building where each unit comprises an entire floor. It joins Hampden Row, The Lauren and other buildings seeking the wealthiest buyers in Bethesda. The Arlington Road corridor has become a hotspot for ultra-luxury buildings. But the irony is, that part of town was once planned as a haven for affordable housing.

The permit was issued on October 31.

WASHINGTON GAS REPAIRS ON FAIRMONT AVENUE (PHOTOS)

Washington Gas crews were working near Positano on Fairmont Avenue tonight in Bethesda. One lane was closed in front of the restaurant.

HAMPDEN ROW CONDOS IN BETHESDA TOUTED IN TOLL BROTHERS MAGAZINE (PHOTOS)

The future Hampden Row luxury condominium building in Bethesda is being touted by its developer, Toll Brothers, as a prime example of its expansion into urban real estate. It is one of several urban projects cited in a new magazine published by the company, Toll Lifestyle.

Known best as a suburban and exurban homebuilder, Toll Brothers has begun courting wealthy baby boomers, some of whom are ditching their McMansions for walkable urban living. On Hampden Lane, Toll Brothers will inevitably compete with The Lauren, its "next-door neighbor," that has already positioned itself as the most expensive and exclusive luxury building in Bethesda.

Like the Lauren, Hampden Row will be a boutique building, with a fraction of the units that many other luxury buildings now under construction in Bethesda will offer. There will be only 54 condos available in Hampden Row, which is adjacent to Bethesda Row.

BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here is an after-dark view of the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower under construction in downtown Bethesda.

MARKHAM'S BAR AND GRILL MENU (PHOTOS) - OPENING TODAY IN BETHESDA

Markham's Bar and Grill is scheduled to open for the first time today at 11:00 AM for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is located at 7141 Wisconsin Avenue, in downtown Bethesda.

See photos below to review the menu (you can click on the photos to enlarge them for more detail).

Interesting items on the menu include Vietnamese bánh mì, Pakistani Tacos, and a bacon duck burger. Speaking of burgers, the most intriguing menu item for me is a burger called The Mo. With a triple-decker bun, 2 burgers, shredded lettuce, dill pickle slices and "Mo Sauce," you might be tempted to think it's a Big Mac. Actually, it's inspired by the Bethesda-related burger that inspired the Big Mac: the legendary Mighty Mo, served at Marriott's Bethesda-based Hot Shoppes restaurant chain. I ate quite a few Mighty Mos while watching buildings at the Bethesda Metro site being constructed, in the Hot Shoppes at the corner of Wisconsin and East-West Highway.

iPad AIR AT BETHESDA ROW APPLE STORE (PHOTOS)

The new iPad Air is in stock at the Bethesda Row Apple Store. From what I've heard, there are plenty to go around.

BETHESDA ROW CHRISTMAS TREES, MENORAH AND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS (PHOTOS)

Many more holiday decorations have gone up around Bethesda Row since yesterday's photo gallery.

GLOW ON THE ROW BEAUTY EVENT TODAY AT BETHESDA ROW

Stop by Bethesda Row this afternoon for a beauty event, and you could win a makeup bag.

Be one of the first 100 people to check in at Glow on the Row on Bethesda Lane at 1:00 PM today, and you'll win! Click here for more prizes, offers and giveaways you could score today at Bethesda Row.

Meet the DC NewsBabes in boutiques around the Row all afternoon.  Then join them for a party at Redwood, from 4pm to 5pm.

"Newsbabes" on hand will include Rebecca Cooper, Laura Evans, Hillary Howard, Jacqui Jeras, Sue Palka, Andrea Roane, and Monika Samtani.

All proceeds benefit breast cancer charities.

GAMMA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY OPENING AT BETHESDA ROW IN JANUARY (PHOTO)

A new martial arts training center for all ages is opening this January at Bethesda Row. Gamma Martial Arts Academy will be located at 4833 Bethesda Avenue.

The grand opening is currently scheduled for Friday, January 3, at 3:00 PM.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS

Santa's helpers arrived at Bethesda Row yesterday, and began their annual task of installing Christmas lights, greenery and Christmas trees.

Those strolling Bethesda Lane, where a large Christmas tree was being assembled by elves, couldn't help but stop and watch. Among them was infomercial celebrity Matthew Lesko, who is wearing a yellow suit in the photos below.

The entire decorating process usually takes several days.

GAYLORD'S LAMPS AND SHADES GRAND OPENING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The new location of Gaylord's Lamps and Shades is tentatively scheduled to open today at 5272 River Road. That's in the Kenwood Professional Building, across from Whole Foods, and next to Westwood Center II. According to the store, there is free parking in the garage.

It's hard to miss, especially after dark, when dozens of lampshades are lined up in the well-lighted windows. Their former home at the Fairmont Plaza on Wisconsin Avenue is now for lease through Bethesda real estate agency Streetsense, and has been cleared out (see empty showroom below).

Gaylord's is the second downtown Bethesda business to move to the Westbard area after rents became too high. Previously, Mostly Monograms moved from the Bradley Shopping Center to Westwood Center II.

CORDUROY BEAR TO VISIT BETHESDA ROW SATURDAY MORNING (PHOTO)

Corduroy Bear, the beloved character from Don Freeman's children's classic, Corduroy, is coming to Bethesda Row tomorrow morning, November 2, at 10:00 AM for Storytime at Barnes & Noble.

Most people who grew up in the last several decades may remember the stuffed bear, who thought replacing his missing button would be his ticket out of the department store toy department. Those who have kids of their own now may want to share that reading experience with them on Saturday.

PANERA BREAD BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Work continues at the future Panera Bread on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Here are some photos of the latest progress, and how to apply to work at this new Panera Bread.

Panera is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2014 (a.k.a. January).