Dream Aero Flight Simulator coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in 2020

Westfield Montgomery Mall patrons will take to the skies next year without leaving the Bethesda mall. Dream Aero, a flight simulator similar to those used to train actual pilots, will arrive at a location on Level 3. Level 3? Could this be replacing the long-delayed Japanese steakhouse outside the ArcLight Cinemas? That's the only space available on Level 3.

Dream Aero is currently available in malls in places like Dubai and Moscow, where it provides an accurate simulation of flying a Boeing 737. It's an authentic closed-cockpit, moving simulator just like professional pilots use. Sessions are priced by length of time, with VIPs getting 120 minutes behind the controls. Westfield says more details about the specifics of their flight simulator operation will be available in the future. But for now, this sounds like a great innovation to add to Montgomery Mall as another entertainment option.

Also coming sooner to the mall are Eyebobs and Windsor. To be located on Level 2 in the Macy's wing, Eyebobs is an "irreverent" eyewear retailer opening this summer. Windsor is a women's apparel and accessories boutique, and will open this fall on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing.

Photos courtesy Westfield

Prima to open in May; the future of Kapnos Kouzina at Bethesda Row

Prima, an upscale fast-casual Italian concept from Boston celebrity chef Michael Schlow, is now scheduled to open next month at Bethesda Row. Construction has been underway for several months at the former location of Taylor Gourmet at 7280 Woodmont Avenue.

Less certain is the future of the vacant neighboring space that was home to Kapnos Kouzina, the very successful modern Greek restaurant from another celebrity chef, Mike Isabella. Shuttered after Isabella was caught up in a #MeToo scandal involving several of his restaurants, the rumor had been that Isabella's former business partner would try to revive the Bethesda restaurant under a different name.

But the latest rumor I've heard is that Schlow himself might be the celebrity chef to solve the Kapnos crisis. A source tells me Schlow may open a new outpost of his D.C. restaurant The Riggsby in the Kapnos space at Bethesda Row. There's precedence for this, as Schlow has operated other side-by-side restaurants elsewhere. However, a publicist for Schlow's restaurant group says she is aware of no plans for The Riggsby at Bethesda Row at this time.

The Riggsby at 1731 New Hampshire Avenue is a retro-American concept "with a flash of old-school Continental," as the Michael Schlow Restaurant Group describes it. Stay tuned.

Bethesda construction update: The Wilson (Video+Photos)

The Wilson, one of two future 290' towers at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue is now about four stories above street level. Developed by Carr Properties, the building will be atop entrances to the Red Line and Purple Line of the Metro rail system. While no major corporation has yet leased headquarters space here (not entirely shocking, given that no major corporation has relocated its HQ to Montgomery County in over two decades), the tower will be home to WTTG Fox 5.

Orangetheory Fitness leases space at 7900 Wisconsin Avenue

Orangetheory Fitness space at 7900 Wisconsin
is lit up at bottom right of picture in this view
from Woodmont Avenue at St. Elmo Avenue

Update: 8:22 AM - The article has been updated to note yet another casualty of the Montgomery County Council's "Nighttime Economy Task Force" debacle, the end of overnight hours at formerly 24-hour Harris Teeter at 8300 Wisconsin Avenue

Orangetheory Fitness has leased the Woodmont Avenue-facing retail space in the future 7900 Wisconsin Avenue development in downtown Bethesda. The fitness chain's closest existing locations are in the Park Potomac development and at 4600 Wisconsin Avenue N.W. in Tenleytown.

There's only one downside to this - it was previously hoped this space would go to a restaurant or bar, in order to activate the Woodmont Avenue streetscape after business hours. With the largest two ground floor spaces now leased, there is no longer room for an upscale restaurant or nightspot at the property. Of course, it could have been worse - such as yet another bank.

Orangetheory's downtown Silver Spring location lists classes starting as late as 8:15 PM. That still won't be late enough to energize this dead block of Woodmont, a growing problem as downtown Bethesda's nightlife cratered after the disastrous Montgomery County Council Nighttime Economy Task Force initiative. At night, that side of Woodmont is currently dark and deserted from Norfolk Avenue all the way to Wisconsin Avenue near Jones Bridge Road, a pedestrian-unfriendly stretch once you pass the 24-hour Tastee Diner.

The remaining two vacant spaces are 1958 SF and 951 SF, only large enough for a fast-casual carry-out or boutique. Developer JBG Smith, according to a JBG employee, had already reached agreement with grocery store Trader Joe's to be the anchor retail tenant at the 18-story residential building in 2014. We'll have to hope the pedestrian traffic using the very nice cut-through plaza the building will have between Woodmont and Wisconsin (including a mirrored ceiling), and (hopefully) late-night grocery hours, can inject some humanity on both sides of the development after dark.

Bethesda construction update: Marriott HQ (Video+Photos)

You can see how close the excavation for the relocated Marriott International headquarters is to Woodmont Grill in these photos and videos from the construction site. This is standard practice, but it can still be shocking to see how a professional job of sheeting and shoring is all that stands between a neighboring property and structural damage for many months.

The Marriott development partners report that excavation and soil removal will continue through July, and that the first concrete pours at the site could happen as soon as mid-May. Underground utility work will also continue through July, with a substantial amount being performed overnight due to the key location being at the busy intersection of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues. Pepco will also continue working in the area, but the partners stress that Pepco's work is not related to the Marriott project.

Washington Capitals mural at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Have you seen the "All Caps" Washington Capitals mural on Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row? It's opposite the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad mural on what is officially Hagar Lane, but looks like just a driveway to access the parking behind businesses along Bethesda Avenue. 

Sports Nation moves at Montgomery Mall

Sporting goods retailer Sports Nation has moved upstairs to Level 2 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their new location is across from the future 7-Eleven store.

Bethesda Metro Center fountains activated (Video+Photos)

The fountains on the plaza at the Bethesda Metro Center were activated for the summer season yesterday. I presume the Maryland and Montgomery County flags were at half-staff due to the death of Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch.

Clove & Cedar Coffee Bar coming to Bainbridge Bethesda

Clove & Cedar Coffee Bar is taking over the vacant Gold Leaf Bakery space in the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower at 4918 St. Elmo Avenue. Wednesday was a big day for signs in downtown Bethesda, and Clove & Cedar was one of the businesses that put up some "Coming Soon" signage yesterday. Construction is underway inside, but still in the early phases. I can see the actual coffee "bar" is starting to take shape.

SoldierFit coming soon in Bethesda

You may recall I reported SoldierFit had leased the old M&T Bank space at 7920 Norfolk Avenue in January. Yesterday, they put up a "Coming Soon" sign in the door. The military-themed gym will be the latest entry in the crowded downtown Bethesda fitness market.

Awning installed at Wang Dynasty on Bethesda Avenue

The awning has been installed out front at the future Wang Dynasty at 4929 Bethesda Avenue. This spot was formerly home to Shanghai Village, whose owner retired at the start of 2019. Wang Dynasty's liquor license hearing is scheduled for May 16, so we're getting closer to opening day here.