Monument Halves its Chase Condo Project in Bethesda

Monument Realty has "temporarily" stopped sales on half of its condo conversion project in Bethesda. The Chase, which sits across from the Bethesda Metro station, began sales in May of its two 7-story buildings - a North tower (122 units) and a South tower (255 units) at Woodmont and Edgemoor Rds, both former apartment buildings currently under renovation. While the sales office reports that 87 of the units have sold, slow sales in the North tower have caused Monument to freeze sales of that portion. Monument says that this is just a temporary shift to "focus the project" on the better-selling portion and that they are not abandoning sales, but buyers under contract in the North tower are reportedly being encouraged to switch to the South side, and settlements are being scheduled in the South tower only. Monument has already cancelled two conversion projects this year – the Prime in Arlington and the Park Center of Alexandria – but has plenty of work left with its Watergate hotel conversion, a 3.5 acre parcel across from the new stadium that will develop into an 800,000 s.f. mixed-use project when ground is broken early next year, as well as three other condo projects that are still selling. Condos at the Chase are offering a balconies, garage parking, a fitness center, concierge services, 2 pools and 2 tennis courts, priced from the high $200k's for a studio, the mid $300's for a one bedroom and from the high $500's for a two bedroom.