Bethesda construction update: Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments (Photos)

This latest update on the progress of the future Solaire Bethesda luxury apartment building gives the first good look at how the structure relates spatially to its neighbor, Crescent Plaza.

Located on the site of the former Eastham's Exxon at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue, the building already has an anchor restaurant tenant in True Food Kitchen.

The first units at the 12-story building are scheduled to deliver in February 2016. That timeline seems optimistic at this point, but let's wait and see. Washington Property Company is the developer.

Bethesda construction update: Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments (Photos)

Work continues at the Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments site, at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue, formerly the home of Eastham's Servicenter. Pilings are now above street level.

The Solaire will be a 139-unit building, with 6100 SF of retail that will be anchored by a True Food Kitchen restaurant. First delivery of units is anticipated for February 2016, and completion is due by June 2016 - although it feels like the timeline is cutting it pretty close at this point. Washington Property Company is the developer.

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN TO OPEN BETHESDA LOCATION IN 2016 (PHOTO)

The future Solaire Bethesda luxury apartment building has its first tenant, a healthy lifestyle-themed restaurant based on the principles of Dr. Andrew Weil. True Food Kitchen will occupy a 6400 SF ground floor space when it and the Solaire open in 2016. A partnership between Phoenix-based Fox restaurants and bestselling medical author Dr. Weil, True Food Kitchen has an existing area location in Fairfax County's Mosaic District.

Developer Washington Property Company believes the restaurant fits Bethesda's reputation as a healthy place to live. “We think Solaire Bethesda is the perfect location for True Food Kitchen,” said Daryl A. South, Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisitions in a statement yesterday. “Bethesda is home to the National Institutes of Health and is one of the nation’s most bicycle-friendly communities. We think this exciting restaurant concept will be a magnet for Bethesda’s discerning and health-conscious residents, as well as visitors from all over the area.” Two other healthy dining concepts attempted in Bethesda have had mixed results - Rock Creek closed on Elm Street (and at Mazza Gallerie) a few years ago, but Seasons 52 remains a mainstay at JBG's North Bethesda Market.

In addition to the restaurant, the Solaire Bethesda will house 139 luxury apartments, and is being marketed with its proximity to the popular restaurants, shops and theaters of the Bethesda Row area in mind.

The Solaire will rise on the site remembered for its historic Eastham's Exxon service station, which was demolished to make way for the new development at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue.

7100 WISCONSIN AVENUE APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION MOVING FORWARD AT EASTHAM'S SITE IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

After significant delays, Washington Property Company is now moving forward with its development at the Eastham's Exxon site, at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The legendary gas station stopped selling fuel over a year ago, and maintained an auto repair business on the site. A construction permit has now been applied for, and was officially received by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting on December 23.

The new luxury apartment building will contain over 100 units, and will be directly adjacent to the existing Crescent Plaza condominium building. Construction can begin as soon as the county issues the permit.

7100 WISCONSIN AVENUE EASTHAM'S EXXON REDEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN FILED

Washington Property Company has filed its site plan for the Eastham's Exxon property at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue with the Montgomery County Planning Department.

The dimensions of the mixed-use building remain the same: 12 stories along Wisconsin, stepping down to 45' at the rear of the structure.

More details of the public amenity space can be seen in the new image below.

However, the two renderings are deceptive, so I have added an aerial view, which gives a truer representation of how the building will literally "eat" neighboring Crescent Plaza like a large grizzly bear.  Residents on the affected side of Crescent Plaza did not have knowledge that views would be lost at the time they purchased their condos. At that time, the Eastham's property was not zoned to allow a 12-story, mixed-use development.

Publicly, parties state that Crescent Plaza residents are thrilled with the final plan. But I continue to invite any Crescent Plaza resident who disagrees with that assessment to give their side of the story in the comments below.

The new building will contain 145 apartments, a parking garage and well over 6000 square feet of retail and commercial space.  15% of the units will be MPDUs. By my calculation, that comes to 21 affordable units in a town where there is a demand for thousands.

Meanwhile, the loss of Eastham's will create more automobile trips in search of gas and auto repairs. Not everyone in Bethesda has concierge, valet dealership maintenance, nor a luxury car.

7100 WISCONSIN AVENUE - THE BUILDING THAT WILL EAT CRESCENT PLAZA

APPROVED PLAN

FOR EASTHAM'S

SITE STILL OVERWHELMS

NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Another planning blunder is underway in downtown Bethesda, courtesy of the Montgomery County Planning Board.  This time it is the 145 unit residential building proposed for the Eastham's Exxon property, along with an adjacent Parvizian parking lot at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue.

Images via Montgomery County Planning Department

The developer submitted an alternative proposal after residents of the adjacent Crescent Plaza complained about their loss of sun and skyline views.  In approving that new concept, the Planning Board granted a 12-story height along Wisconsin Avenue, in exchange for stepping the height down to 45' where it approaches Crescent Plaza.  The new plan also features landscaping to be shared by residents of both buildings.

7100 Wisconsin will contain 145 units and 7000 square feet of retail.

But given the close proximity to Crescent Plaza, where many condo owners have sunk their life savings into units, why was such a rezoning project considered in the first place?  Not only is Bethesda running out of gas stations, but the CP owners did not know such a project would be put up right against an existing condo building.

As you can tell from the photo, the new building overwhelms and consumes Crescent Plaza. 

The deal also turns caretaking of the small Eastham Park monument and grounds over to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, with the developer required to make offsetting payments to BUP "in perpetuity."

While I agree the alternative is an improvement, it still doesn't reduce the impact on many Crescent Plaza residents, who may throw open their sash one morning, and find a brick wall.  In my opinion, a two-story Bethesda Row-style building would make more sense, and have less impact on CP residents.

But written testimony submitted by Crescent Plaza's Proposed Development Committee says residents are satisfied with the alternative proposal.  I find it hard to believe everyone is on board, but that is apparently the case.

Residents have also expressed concerns that the environmental cleanup of Eastham's could have health impacts on them.  They are also worried about bright light from the new building, and HVAC and generator noise.  Again, that's why I feel the project is too close.   With the Eastham's site not zoned for this size of development, residents had a right to believe they would have no encroachment on sun or sky views within their block.

But, oh well, we're getting another ho-hum boxy building.  At least it sounds like the developer has defused the uproar, and come to an agreement with residents.  

Still, we get a fresh reminder that the current sector plan caps building heights ridiculously low around Metro, but then allows these sort of mini-hulks to overwhelm Sacks and Crescent Plaza.  We just need common sense planning, that's all.