TIME LAPSE PHOTOS OF BETHESDA MCDONALD'S SITE CONVERSION TO OFFICE BUILDING

The newest residents of Bethesda may think 4500 East-West Highway always was an office building, not realizing a community institution - McDonald's - once stood there. A reader who provided aerial views of the demolition and construction at the Bethesda McDonald's site for this blog in the past has put together a photo album of the topic in chronological order. (The above photo is mine)

There's also a video he shot of the blasting done when excavators encountered rock beneath the site, which you may recall me posting in the past.

Enjoy Diarmaid's photos and video for a literal "blast" from the past!

BETHESDA MCDONALD'S DEMOLISHED! (PHOTOS)

The Bethesda McDonald's on East-West Highway was demolished over the weekend, and I received 2 aerial photos. @itsjayla on Twitter sent this one.

And reader Diarmaid McGleenan sent this one, taken from up in the Air Rights Building:

BETHESDA MCDONALD'S ON EAST-WEST HIGHWAY CLOSES FOREVER - PHOTO GALLERY EXCLUSIVE!

AN ERA ENDS,

DEMOLITION BEGINS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Several weeks ago, I reported on the plan to redevelop the current site of the downtown Bethesda McDonald's, on East-West Highway at Pearl Street.  But the actual closing date of the long-operating store was unknown.

That day came yesterday.

Although a number of downtown restaurants have been forced out by developers in the last few weeks, this one hits close to home for me.  I've had many a meal from this McDonald's over a lifetime.  Talk about "Living in the 90s."  Were you there for the Jurassic Triple Cheeseburger, the Super Hero (a tie-in with one of my favorite movies, Batman Forever), and the Arch Deluxe?

Students at BCC High School, workers in nearby office buildings, and residents who thought the Golden Arches would always be a few steps away, had a rude awakening Tuesday.  Even when these photos were taken, loyal customers were still pulling in.  "It's closed? It's closed?"  "Yes."  "It's closed," the man said to himself again audibly, with a stricken expression, as reality sunk in.

No more Big Macs, no more America's Favorite Fries.  Just super-size developer profits.

And then there was one.

There is now literally only one fast food restaurant operating in the entire town of Bethesda - the other McDonald's on River Road.  Why fast food restaurants are unofficially banned from opening in Bethesda, remains a mystery government officials have yet to share with citizens.

Do you really have freedom of choice, when there are no choices?

It's the end of an era.  The Golden Arches have stood along America's highways for decades, beckoning to hungry travelers.  So it was here on our East-West Highway.

It will be missed.

The famous Golden Arches sign has been torn down,
but McDonald's fans kept arriving for dinner anyway

The doors are locked tight

Here's all that's left of the Golden Arches
sign on East-West Highway

Left side of restaurant

Interior of the abandoned restaurant.  Note many ceiling tiles are
already missing.  A lone mystery man works on a
laptop at a table by the far windows

Ronald has left the building

No more coffee deals; Starbucks has the monopoly in
downtown Bethesda again

The End