Bethesda construction update: The Astrid apartments (Photos)

The Astrid development is topping out at 5159 Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda. Within two buildings will be 562 residential units, and 517 parking spaces. Each tower will have a rooftop terrace and green roof deck, fitness center, clubroom, and floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize views from the Pooks Hill vantage point.

The Astrid is niche-marketing itself as a hygge-inspired building, referring to the Scandanavian principle of contentment and pleasure derived from comfortable or cozy environments, which has become a hyped lifestyle fad in America in recent years. "The Danish call it Hygge. We call it The Astrid," the development's website says. The Astrid's developer is EQT Exeter, and the property will be managed by Bozzuto. A fall 2023 delivery is anticipated.

Bethesda construction update - The Astrid apartments (Photos)

Construction of The Astrid, a new development at 5159 Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda, has been advancing at an increasingly-rapid pace over the last few months. The photos below are in chronological order. One factor that has speeded construction is the use of prefabricated steel for the floors above the ground level. It is trucked in (as seen in photo at top), and quickly assembled into place. Neighbors report some traffic back-ups during brief street closures, but that the project is otherwise proceeding smoothly.

The Astrid is niche-marketing itself as a hygge-inspired building, referring to the Scandanavian principle of contentment and pleasure derived from comfortable or cozy environments, which has become a hyped lifestyle fad in America in recent years. "The Danish call it Hygge. We call it The Astrid," the development's website says. The Astrid's developer is EQT Exeter, and the property will be managed by Bozzuto. A fall 2023 delivery is anticipated.

Chevy Chase Lake construction update (Photos)

The new urban community at Chevy Chase Lake is taking advanced shape along Connecticut Avenue at the future Purple Lane station. Ground was recently broken across the street on the Crescent at Chevy Chase development. But on this side of Connecticut, three new buildings are in the later stages of completion: The Ritz Carlton Residences Chevy Chase condos, and The Barrett and The Claude rental apartments. 

Architecture so far is delivering on the promise of the impressive renderings, with unique rooflines that contrast with most of the new buildings being delivered in Montgomery County these days. Traditional lines are now passing for avant-garde in a world of cookie-cutter 21st-century developments. Future residents are already touring the Ritz Carlton. The Barrett is now leasing with January move-ins expected, and The Claude will greet its first residents in 2023.

The Elm now leasing up to 16th floor in downtown Bethesda

Leasing continues to expand at The Elm apartment tower at 4710 Elm Street in Bethesda. Tours are now available for units up to the 16th floor. Current rent pricing is as follows: Studios starting at $1,880, 1-bedrooms starting at $2,338, 2-bedrooms starting at $3,303, and townhomes starting at $5380. The property will continue to be surrounded by construction even after the 7272 Wisconsin project is completed, as work continues on the Purple Line station and new south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station at the site.

Bozzuto presents plan to redevelop Midas property at 4725 Cheltenham Rd. in Bethesda (Photos)

Developer Bozzuto presented its proposal to replace an auto repair facility at 4725 Cheltenham Road in downtown Bethesda with a residential building in an online public meeting last night. The Midas service center is located on the edge of the business district where it meets a residential single-family-home neighborhood. If approved by Montgomery County, the project would replace it with a 10-story, 90' building.

View from residential neighborhood
behind Chevy Chase Cars

Bozzuto also developed the nearby Whitney apartments over the historic Bethesda Theatre. They said the site presents a unique opportunity to do something on a smaller scale than the larger buildings being built and proposed now for the downtown area. Asked by a participant in the meeting if they had considered assembling the site with the CVS Pharmacy next door, a representative replied that CVS has a lease until 2040 at that property.

Sean Stadler of architecture firm WDG said the building will have a two-story, fragmented facade at the bottom. The majority of the units will have views of Cheltenham Road and the adjacent park - although the latter is very small, it must be noted.

The white-roofed building northwest
of the "SITE" is the CVS Pharmacy

There will be between 67 and 83 units. Bozzuto has not decided whether they will be rental apartments or condos. That is likely the reason for the undetermined number of units - condo units must be larger than rental units to compete in the condominium market. One level of underground parking will hold only 23 spaces. That's because the building qualifies for lower parking due to nearby public parking lots and garages.

Bozzuto plans to submit its sketch plan in June. A Planning Board hearing is anticipated this fall.

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Bethesda Midas site to be redeveloped

Bozzuto is proposing to redevelop the site of the Midas service center at 4725 Cheltenham Drive in downtown Bethesda. The industrial use would be replaced with a 90' tall residential building, totaling 80,000 SF. A virtual public meeting on the proposal will be held online on May 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM at http://global.gotomeeting.com/join/485543229 or click here to go directly.

The Elm apartments website launches with new renderings

Here's some non-construction-related news from Carr Properties' 7272 Wisconsin Avenue redevelopment project. The official website has launched for The Elm, the apartment tower portion of the development. It features some new renderings of the project, all of common areas in the future tower, as opposed to apartment interiors.

Future residents of The Elm on its
glassed-in skybridge above downtown Bethesda

The website also reveals that Bozzuto will be the property manager for the residential tower. Bozzuto has been in charge of several of the post-recession properties delivered in recent years in Bethesda, including the Flats at Bethesda Avenue across the street, and Flats 8300. Insight Property Group is the residential developer chosen for the project by Carr. You can see impressive views of the skybridge from both exterior and interior viewpoints here. See more on the website.

Renderings courtesy Carr Properties
All rights reserved

Bozzuto acquires Chevy Chase Lake property from Chevy Chase Land Co.

Bozzuto has officially purchased property at Chevy Chase Lake from the Chevy Chase Land Company ahead of the redevelopment of a commercial site and grocery store there, according to Maryland real estate records. 8551 Connecticut Avenue, totaling 262141 SF of land, was sold to Bozzuto for $100,000,000 in a sale that closed on November 27.

Bozzuto seeks delay in Planning Board review of Chevy Chase Lake project

Bozzuto is asking the Montgomery County Planning Board for an extension on its preliminary and site plans for its Chevy Chase Lake mixed-use development, located at Connecticut Avenue and Manor Road. The reason is that several complicated issues were brought up by the Development Review Committee, including bike lane and street design issues.

An extension would move the public hearing date on the 6.19 acre project from December 7 to March 7, 2017. However, Bozzuto's attorney, Steven A. Robins, says that the delay likely won't need to be that long. Robins says Bozzuto intends to be ready by January 26, 2017.

The board will consider the extension at its December 1 meeting. Planning staff is recommending approval of the extension.

Rendering courtesy Bozzuto

Tomato Festival at North Bethesda Market Saturday, September 10

North Bethesda Market is hosting Montgomery County's first Tomato Festival this Saturday, September 10, from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, at 20 Paseo Drive. The event will be held rain or shine at the Bozzuto property, which is currently the tallest building in Montgomery County, making it hard to miss driving past.

Admission is free, and so is the parking.

However, there will be a special brunch at Seasons 52 (located at North Bethesda Market) to benefit VisArts, the Rockville-based arts nonprofit. The brunch will be held at 10:30 AM, and you can order tickets online.

Attendees of the festival will taste and vote on the best tomato sauce, with entries from chefs at Seasons 52, BRIO Tuscan Grille, Carluccio's, American Tap Room, Quincy's, Gusto Italian Grill, Summer House and Stella Barra. The free spaghetti-eating contest.has already sold out.

There will also be chef competitions and demonstrations, free tastings, a Reyka Vodka Bloody Mary station (21+ only), tomato-themed kids activities, and live music by Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 and Durham Station.

More public art installed at Flats 8300 in Bethesda (Photos)

More public art is now in place at the new Flats 8300 luxury apartment development in downtown Bethesda. This globe/disc art piece was just installed on the 8300 Wisconsin Avenue side of the property. It needs to be viewed at night to be fully appreciated.

Bethesda construction update: Flats 8300 luxury apartments (Photos)

The sign is up at the Flats 8300 luxury apartments, StonebridgeCarras' newest Bethesda development at 8300 Wisconsin Avenue. Just a note for those following along from the beginning of the construction process - at some point the "at" in "Flats at 8300" was dropped for marketing purposes, so it is now called Flats 8300.

Flats 8300 was constructed by Donohoe Construction, and Bozzuto is the property manager. If you're wondering when the Harris Teeter will open in the ground floor...they're behind schedule. They have their own construction contractor for their interior build-out, so Donohoe is not to blame.

Battery Lane side of
Flats 8300

Entrance to courtyard from
Wisconsin Avenue sidewalk;
facade ornament at top is
by Kent Bloomer

This tiled wall public art
piece is by Kent Bloomer
as well

Interior courtyard that will
feature sculptures by
Barton Rubenstein

Townhouse units still under
construction on the
Wisconsin side

The building looks a lot
more impressive lit up at
night than the renderings
indicated