7535 OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD: NEW IMAGES OF KETTLER 15-STORY LUXURY BUILDING AT COMMERCE LANE

Kettler has provided new images of its planned 15-story mixed-use "tower" at Old Georgetown Road and Commerce Lane, near the Bethesda Metro Center.

The project includes 120 apartments, and 5000 square feet of retail space.

New details include a rooftop with spectacular views, a roaring fireplace, seating areas, and even grills to put your steaks, burgers, hot dogs, etc. on.

The bad news? It's for building residents only!

With the Akridge Class A office building nearby having a private rooftop, as well, perhaps those of us on the ground may hear shouted queries of, "Would you happen to have any Grey Poupon?"

But, of course!

There is a mystery sculpture that the developer says is still under wraps, planned for the Old Georgetown Road entrance. The planning documents promise the sculpture will be of sufficient quality as to become a defining Bethesda landmark.

Let's hope so. Because the building concept itself is still lacking.

To try to explain, if I come up out of the Metro (assuming escalators are functioning!), if I look at the Capital One Building or the Bethesda Metro Center, I know I'm in downtown Bethesda immediately.

If I look at this proposed building, however... where am I?  Ballston? Rockville?  This building could be anywhere.   It's a decent, shoulder-shrugging design on the curved side.  But then they lapsed into that intolerable, "multi-color" trend so prevalent in our region in recent years, on the other sides of the building.

I don't get the message of that color concept. "Help, I've run out of the materials I was using - let's finish it with these other materials we have left over from another project?"

"I like all 3 of these designs. Instead of choosing one, let's just make it 3, 3 buildings in one!?"

It is a Frankenstein Effect, in my opinion. Most great buildings in the world do not look like a mash-up of  3 buildings.

My reaction to these multi-color, mixed use designs is similar to that of Jacques Pepin's when making an unannounced visit to a college dining hall kitchen.

Just pick one design and stick with it.

This one needs work.

It's just frustrating to add a lot of traffic, and whatever the effects will be on nearby residents structurewise, and not be getting the very best in design.

NEW "COMING SOON" SIGNAGE AT URBAN OUTFITTERS BETHESDA LOCATION (PHOTO)

Urban Outfitters has updated the signage at their highly-anticipated Westfield Montgomery Mall location, scheduled to open this month.

MY FIRST BETHESDA APARTMENT - A YOUNG PERSON'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO APARTMENT HUNTING IN BETHESDA, MD - BETHESDA APARTMENTS, RENTALS

Welcome to the fifth installment of My First Bethesda Apartment:  a weekly, urban guide to the intimidating task of apartment hunting in Bethesda, and scoring and furnishing your dream pad once you find it.

BETHESDA APARTMENTS

OF THE

WEEK

1 BR/1 BA  THE CHRISTOPHER (Click for listing) - $1750 a month

Once again, the rate is a bit steep, but not too bad if you have a roommate to pay half.  The tradeoff is a luxury building right by the Bethesda Metro Station.  Utilities are extra, but parking, storage and water are included in the rent.  Please note that the move-in date is not until December 1.  Lots of amenities, in a modern building, and location, location, location!

PRIVATE SUITE IN BROOKMONT HOME (Click for listing) - $1100 a month

Although I am usually directing you to the best units in the best downtown Bethesda buildings, this suite in a private home is worth considering if a) you work near the Sangamore Intelligence Campus, Georgetown, American University, Sibley Hospital or on the Red Line (Ride On bus to Friendship Heights passes by the home); b) price is more important to you than the excitement of downtown living.

This house is within walking distance of the Shops at Sumner Place shopping center, with a great CVS, a Safeway, Bethesda Market (opening soon), Praline French bakery and restaurant, Passion Fin sushi bar, and a Starbucks.

Obviously, you'd want to do a thorough inspection, but $1100 a month is a very good price in Bethesda.

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SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

Let's consider another basic piece of furniture that everyone has - the coffee table.  There's nothing wrong with the traditional wood coffee table, but maybe you want something a bit more contemporary.

SPLURGE

Skye Indigo coffee table from Crate and Barrel - $319

FAKE IT

Wall Street coffee table - $149.09

Both of these have similar lines and designs, but faking it will save you about $180 this week.  Nothing says "living large" like Wall Street, right?  Gordon Gekko would approve, and so will your wallet.

FIRST-TIME RENTER

TIP OF THE WEEK

Security.  An unsafe apartment isn't worth any amount of money.  When apartment hunting, do your own security audit of the building, and the particular unit.  Do doors and windows lock securely?  Do blinds or curtains give you privacy when you want it?  Is the garage or parking lot secure?  How easy is it to gain access to the building?  Is the front desk manned?  Is that "man" on duty 24 hours a day?  Can you have a dog?

Have a great weekend, and hurry out to check out these apartments before they're gone.  I believe that every Apartment of the Week I've featured so far, has been leased by the end of the weekend.  Let me know if this guide helps you to find the apartment of your dreams, in the Richest Town in America!

FURNISHING YOUR BETHESDA APARTMENT? SPEND LAVISHLY, OR JUST GIVE THE IMPRESSION YOU DID

First, you have to get your downtown Bethesda apartment or condo.  But then, you have to furnish it.

A few days ago I wrote about the 20%-off sale that ends today at Urban Loft on Cordell Avenue.

But what if their high-end furniture would bust your budget?  Try Gallery St. Elmo, a consignment furniture gallery.  You never know what may appear in their showroom from one week to the next.

New arrivals at Gallery St. Elmo: Crate and Barrel sofa,
chair, and end tables - add coffee table for
an instant living room!

They have furnishings and accessories in a range of prices, so you can fool your guests into thinking that living room is brand new, and you spent a lot on it.

Live the Bethesda lifestyle for less at Gallery St. Elmo.

Gallery St. Elmo, 4938 St. Elmo Avenue.  301-654-0576.

OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD SAFEWAY GARAGE ENTRANCE TO REOPEN JUNE 9

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Attention Safeway shoppers:

The Old Georgetown Road store's garage entrance is getting a makeover, and will reopen June 9.  Until then, you can use the main Bethesda Place garage entry on Woodmont Avenue.

Or, just go to the other Safeway at Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road until the 9th.