Douglas Development shows new rendering for old Relic building in Bethesda (Photo)

A relic of the pre-Hans Riemer "nighttime economy" disaster, the building that housed the now-shuttered Relic Lounge, is getting another makeover via a new rendering from owner Douglas Development. The D.C. real estate firm is showing a potential restaurant space on the ground floor, and office space upstairs.

The building is located at 4936 Fairmont Avenue, a block left dead at night after the closure of Relic. Completion of the 7770 Norfolk apartment tower has brought some life to that end of the block, but the failure of the Bainbridge Bethesda to attract dining or nightlife tenants to their ground floor has left the bulk of the street in shadow after hours.

Getting a nightclub or big restaurant name into the old Relic building is therefore more important than ever, especially since Riemer's nighttime economy debacle resulted in the closure of 10 nightclubs and bars in downtown Bethesda. In a town now suffering from the post-Riemer darkened, deserted streets after 10:00 PM, this street is one that should have been revived by now.

Rendering courtesy Douglas Development

The Parva building now for lease in Bethesda (Photos)

The two-story building at 7904 Woodmont Avenue has had its highs (South Beach Restaurant & Bar and, most recently, The Parva) and lows over the years. Now it's someone else's turn to try. New landlord White Star has just put the building up for lease.

There's a lot of potential here for either an upscale nightclub, or a two-level restaurant that can bring in solid revenue by hosting large events upstairs, like Tragara/4935 Bar & Kitchen. I would prefer the former, as Bethesda is in pretty desperate need of more nightspots, after the failure of Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer's disastrous Nighttime Economy Initiative. The Parva was the seventh nightclub to close since Riemer took office in 2010.

PARVA SPACE FOR LEASE; RESTAURANT STILL OPEN

Parva Cocina & Tequila Bar's building is up for lease by the Papadopoulos Group. The 4278 SF, two-level space at 7904 Woodmont Avenue is available as one building, or as two separate floors. Parva is still operating, and my understanding is that they have a lease that runs until 2016. So it seems somewhat premature to be listing the space. On the other hand, it suggests it is less likely that the lease will be renewed next year, in any case.

That would be a shame, as downtown Bethesda can ill-afford to lose yet another nightspot. Already, we've lost BlackFinn, Relic, Ri-Ra and Roof, after the County's failed "Nighttime Economy" initiative bombed. And Parva is one spot that has put life into nightlife. It is also a rare hub of diversity, bringing Latin sounds and events to Bethesda after hours. I know some nearby residents have complained of noise or nighttime disturbances, but one would hope that these issues could be worked out. After all, the next tenant could be noisier, and the next business owners might not be as attentive to the property as Parva's have been. 

Photo via Papadopoulos Group

YACHT CLUB OF BETHESDA SPACE FOR LEASE AT DOUBLETREE HOTEL

The future of the former Yacht Club of Bethesda may have just gotten a bit brighter at the Doubletree Bethesda hotel. A long-dormant below-sidewalk-level den once operated by the legendary Tommy "the Matchmaker" Curtis, the space has just been put up for lease by commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.

In the last few years, the hotel had considered renting out the space as a self-storage facility. It would certainly be preferable as a nightspot, in my opinion. Currently, that block of Woodmont Avenue is dead as a doornail at night. With life potentially coming to both sides of Woodmont on the next block north, a new dining/nightlife establishment would really help that corridor of the Woodmont Triangle - bigtime. As it is, you have some pedestrian traffic going in and out of the two hotels on the block, and some at Guapo's. But the block is rather lonely after dark, when most businesses there close. It didn't used to be that way, when Tommy the Matchmaker's singles bar crowd lined up outside.

Personally, I would think the spot has a lot of potential. You have a lot of business travelers, and a good bar or nightclub - promoted to hotel guests - could draw in customers who have quite a few options a bit further away. And that would really help to activate that block. Serving food from the hotel's kitchen could also draw more attention to the other dining options the Doubletree has inside the hotel.

As Tommy used to say, "Goodnight from the Yacht Club of Bethesda!"