Boomtown Bethesda – Yet More Development

Just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be another inch of space left for development in the Bethesda Row neighborhood, the real estate market again proves us wrong. Things are expected to get very busy and congested at the former parking lots at the corners of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, at the south end of the Bethesda Row shops, if two new projects become reality.

First up is a mixed-use project planned for the northeast corner of Bethesda and Woodmont (named Woodmont East - Phase II). Applications submitted by developer JBG show a 121,090-sf hotel, over 36,000 sf of retail, 78,300 of office space, and 250 apartment units (32 of which will be Moderately Priced Dwelling Units or MPDUs) in a five-story (or more) building. The Montgomery County Development Review Committee is expected to next pick up discussion of this project on May 7.

The second development is a joint public-private project between PN Hoffman/Stonebridge Associates and Montgomery County that will take up the southeast and southwest corners of Woodmont and Bethesda (Lots 31 and 31A). Pictured is an early rendering of the project looking south down Woodmont Avenue. Preliminary plans call for 250 hi-rise condominium units (some of which will be MPDUs) with pricing starting in the $600,000 range, plus 40,000 sf of retail. There will also be an underground parking lot to accommodate over 1,500 cars (mostly public). Woodmont Avenue is expected to be relocated and redesigned a bit, but will continue to run through this project. The development will also ensure access to the nearby Capital Crescent Trial. Groundbreaking is expected for Summer 2008, with completion in 2011.

These projects join a number of other new developments in the Bethesda Row area, including the renovated Chase (377 condo units), the Bethesda Row extension (180 rentals), 7001 Arlington Road (111 condo units), 4913-4921 Hampden Lane (60 condo units), and 4901 Hampden Lane (70 condo units).

Beating Swords into Condos

It may be an ironic time for a peace dividend, but the conversion of the Navy Yard into a downtown destination is starting to take shape - condos of course, not plowshares. PN Hoffman is leading the conversion with a 250-unit condominium project in the Navy Yard, or rather, Southeast Federal Center (pictured), beginning next Spring. The former naval gun factory will metamorphose into one of the coolest projects in DC, according to the developer, which intends to fully renovate the interior space, leaving the existing shell and giant six-story atrium - to become the amenities center, encircled by the residences. There will be "nothing like this" in the District or its environs, according to Dave DeSantis of PN Hoffman. Certainly its location one block from the water will be unique to DC's condo buyers. Architects SK&I are working on the plans for the site, which also sits next to the new DOT headquarters, but too far from the stadium for any random fly balls.

Washington DC real estate development news

Montgomery County Planning Board Reviews Mixed-Use Designs for Silver Spring Project

On Thursday, October 26, the Montgomery County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MC-MNCPPC) heard proposals from three development teams competing to design and build a new mixed-use project on 3.24 acres at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Spring Street, at the northwestern entrance to downtown Silver Spring. The development will include the new headquarters for the Montgomery County Park and Planning Commission (MCPPC), as well as workforce housing and retail. The three development teams selected to make presentations were: (1) Silver Place Joint-Venture, LLC (Donohoe Companies, Otis Warren & Company and MCF Investment Company), which is proposing to erect three buildings on the site (one residential, one mixed-use with residential, office space, and retail, and the PPC headquarters; (2) SilverPlace, LLC (Bozutto Group, Spaulding & Slye, and Harrison Development), which would build a 358-unit residential and mixed-use building along Georgia Avenue, with a specialized grocery store, and a nine-story office headquarters for PPC; and (3) PN Hoffman / Stonebridge Associates, which would build residential and retail on this site, and a new PPC headquarters at a different lot already owned by the team. The MC-MNCPPC is expected to make a decision on a winning team in early 2007, with redevelopment of the site completed by 2010.

PN Hoffman Plans New Condo in Penn Quarter

Following up information first reported this May, Washington DC PN Hoffman has announced preliminary plans to redevelop the church located at 10th & G Sts., NW, into a 140-unit condominium building. The developer will raze the First Congregational Church currently on the site to construct a "super contemporary" building. The agreement has not yet been finalized, leaving details about the project’s design still fluid. No construction or sales dates will likely be available this year. The project is located adjacent to the old Convention Center, slated to become an enormous mixed-use development by 2009. This latest acquisition adds to the 4 large projects the developer is already building in the area, and to several other sizable projects in the developer’s pipeline.

DC Waterfront Redevelopment Plows Full Speed Ahead

The Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) has reached the final round of its Survivor competition and selected two teams out of five original bids for the next phase of the waterfront project. The two teams are, Madison/KSI Waterfront Partners and PN Hoffman, Streuver Brothers Eccles and Rouse. While neither team is known for its Brando impersonations, both are considered experienced in waterfront development. Keeping the real estate and development world in agonizing suspense, the AWC expects to make an announcement regarding the finalist in the Fall of 2006. The criteria used to select the two finalists included, qualifications and experience, vision, development approach, implementing strategy, financial framework, and, (apparently because of a pressing need for yet one more acronym) LSDBEs – Local Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The AWC expects to develop the 47 acres of land by selling exclusive rights to one of the firms which will create an area that enhances the community, provided business opportunities for small, local disadvantaged companies, and generates tax revenue for the city. Elia Kazan could not be reached for comment. (You youngsters out there can Google that one.)

PN Hoffman, DC Church to Develop Housing Next to MLK Library

While details are still scarce, the Washington Business Journal is reporting that the First Congregational Church - located at 10th and G Streets NW (the same block as the MLK Library) - is planning to work with developer PN Hoffman to redevelop its half-acre property into "market-rate" housing, including a new sanctuary and a homeless-services center. PN Hoffman has estimated that First Congregational could generate up to $13 million from the project in total, depending on the final plans. First Congregational has resided at this location since the 1860s, with its current complex opening in the early 1960s. This project will continue the East End's radical makeover from desolate streets into a residential location.