Bethesda news, restaurants, nightlife, events and openings, real estate, crime reports and more - the way only a lifelong Bethesda resident like Robert Dyer can bring it to you. Everything you want and need to know about Bethesda, plus special investigative reports you won't find anywhere else. The must-read blog for breaking Bethesda news, when you want to be the first to know.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Bethesda construction update: 4747 Bethesda Avenue (Video + Photos)
Here's the latest progress at JBG Smith's Class A office building project at 4747 Bethesda Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Watch the video below to see a crane in action at the site.
I agree. It seems like a nice compliment to the 4749 Bethesda market building that was designed by Morris Adjmi Architects out of New York, which was was inspired by European train sheds. The 4747 Bethesda building by Shalom Baranes, seems like a nice homage to Mies Van der Rohe. It is refreshing to see a new office building that is not made almost entirely of glass and precast concrete. The strong grid of decorative bronze colored stainless steel framing creates a very handsome grid that floats above the two story high glass base. I’m actually glad they did not opt to include recessed balconies on the mid levels and really like the elegance of the two story high bays of frames glazing.
The renderings of the lobby seem to show a real jewel box, with several hundred LED lights suspended over the seating area, forming a very sculptural undulating plane of lights. The fourth and fourteenth floor roof terraces look like they will be great outlooks over Bethesda Row for JBG Smith’s corporate offices and their tenants. Since JBG Smith is Amazon HQ2’s landlord at the National Landing, perhaps Jeff Bezos will be invited to show up at a grand opening party on one of those terraces.
I'm not only impressed by how many office buildings are going up in Bethesda, but also by the quality of the buildings. Marriott's is just a boring glass box, but the rest are world-class architecture.
I agreee about Marriott. The design is quite boring for a world headquarters. Gensler’s bread and butter is office interiors, but they have been known to create some rather bland exteriors. Just a few different glazing details to differentiate a very tall tower, and a weak glass top with a shallow slope that will be hard to perceive.
The biggest flaw at Marriott is the lack of grade level retail and restaurant space. They seem to make very little effort to enhance the streetscape around their tower. Just blank walls without any entrances or access. Of course the privately owned public space will be nice, but unless you work at Marriott, are staying at the hotel, or eating at the one hotel restaurant, there is not much reason to walk through.
In contrast, JBG Smith and Shalom Baranes at 4747 Bethesda have included a very large restaurant in a much smaller building. They are enhancing the plaza at Bethesda and Wisconsin and adding two restaurants, both with outdoor dining, flanking their main entrance. They seem to get the idea of an enhanced streetscape better that integrates with the neighborhood much more than Marriott and Gensler.
8 comments:
It's a really good looking building.
I agree. It seems like a nice compliment to the 4749 Bethesda market building that was designed by Morris Adjmi Architects out of New York, which was was inspired by European train sheds. The 4747 Bethesda building by Shalom Baranes, seems like a nice homage to Mies Van der Rohe. It is refreshing to see a new office building that is not made almost entirely of glass and precast concrete. The strong grid of decorative bronze colored stainless steel framing creates a very handsome grid that floats above the two story high glass base. I’m actually glad they did not opt to include recessed balconies on the mid levels and really like the elegance of the two story high bays of frames glazing.
The renderings of the lobby seem to show a real jewel box, with several hundred LED lights suspended over the seating area, forming a very sculptural undulating plane of lights. The fourth and fourteenth floor roof terraces look like they will be great outlooks over Bethesda Row for JBG Smith’s corporate offices and their tenants. Since JBG Smith is Amazon HQ2’s landlord at the National Landing, perhaps Jeff Bezos will be invited to show up at a grand opening party on one of those terraces.
Agreed. Best looking office building in Bethesda, by a wide margin.
I'm not only impressed by how many office buildings are going up in Bethesda, but also by the quality of the buildings. Marriott's is just a boring glass box, but the rest are world-class architecture.
Shame BtB doesn't know Matt Kelly, he could get some interior photo's. Want me to make a call Bob?
12;27 PM
I agreee about Marriott. The design is quite boring for a world headquarters. Gensler’s bread and butter is office interiors, but they have been known to create some rather bland exteriors. Just a few different glazing details to differentiate a very tall tower, and a weak glass top with a shallow slope that will be hard to perceive.
The biggest flaw at Marriott is the lack of grade level retail and restaurant space. They seem to make very little effort to enhance the streetscape around their tower. Just blank walls without any entrances or access. Of course the privately owned public space will be nice, but unless you work at Marriott, are staying at the hotel, or eating at the one hotel restaurant, there is not much reason to walk through.
In contrast, JBG Smith and Shalom Baranes at 4747 Bethesda have included a very large restaurant in a much smaller building. They are enhancing the plaza at Bethesda and Wisconsin and adding two restaurants, both with outdoor dining, flanking their main entrance. They seem to get the idea of an enhanced streetscape better that integrates with the neighborhood much more than Marriott and Gensler.
It would be great if Marriott put a Hot Shoppes in their new office building or hotel.
Or at least a root beer stand.
Post a Comment