The
Edgemont II condo building has topped out at 15 stories at the corner of Edgemoor Lane and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Facade elements are now being added, the first glass has been installed on the lower floors, and the main lobby entrance is beginning to take shape.
4 comments:
Thanks for the photos. I think this is one of SK+I’s better buildings. The curving facade makes it quite dramatic, and the zippering white metal cladding will create a very dynamic facade. The narrow ends create a very slender proportion that compliments the height. Amazing how much density can be added on what was formerly just a single family house and detached garage.
It’s still too bad they they don’t have even a token amount of retail in the base. It would have been nice to link the pathway between Bethesda Row and the Woodmont Triangle with some street facing retail. Even just a small coffee shop or art gallery would help activate Woodmont Avenue on this block.
@12:25 PM - There's only so much retail an area can accommodate without losing revenue of some sort. In economic conditions such as today it does not make sense to include square footage for additional retail, that will be extremely difficult to market.
Hence "token amount."
Something like an art gallery or service space like a barber shop or a hair salon would make sense. It would help activate the streetscape. Based on their current plans, I believe pedestrians walking by will only see a leasing office, treadmills, unused business computers and printers, and perhaps a bit of lounge furniture.
I still contend that hard to lease retail spaces in the new and exiting mixed use buildings make excellent art galleries. Very inexpensive to outfit for the display of art. Easy to add more intensive uses later when traffic is improved. This would be a perfect short term lease for the huge amount of retail in the Gallery II, adjacent to Gallery Lane. Even when closed at night, with the lights on, they are fun to stroll by and check out an exhibit. So much better than a blank facade, or one filled with a big decal claiming “available” or “the next great shop”. Charge a cheap rent, and have a short term lease to maintain flexibility.
Isn’t Bethesda “where the arts shine”, at least according to all the signs?
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