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Bethesda Metro Center proposal features 185 condos

New high-rise would be one of the tallest in the downtown

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Between the Hyatt Regency Hotel and office high-rises at Bethesda Metro Center, a new 20-story condominium building is being planned for the downtown.

The Meridian Group, which owns the complex above the Bethesda Metro station, plans to demolish an existing three-story food court and replace it with a 185-unit condominium building with a new food court on the ground level.

Although plans have not yet been filed with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, developers outlined the project to the Land Use Committee of the Western Montgomery Citizens Advisory Board on Monday.

‘‘We feel like this will help Bethesda Metro Center reach its full potential, providing a 24-hour work-live environment,” said Bruce Lane, executive vice president and managing director of the Bethesda-based Meridian Group.

Developers will submit plans for the new project within the next few weeks and hope to go before the Planning Board before August. If all goes smoothly, construction may begin within two years and could be completed by 2010, Lane said.

The Bethesda Metro Center currently includes offices, restaurants and a hotel around a plaza, but the proposed high-rise condominiums would be the first residential component of the development, Lane said.

Although the land under the Bethesda Metro Center complex belongs to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Meridian Group plans to purchase the land under the proposed building so it can sell the condominiums. Under the leasing agreement that the Meridian Group currently holds, it would not be allowed to sell units. Without that purchase, Meridian could only rent units.

However, the WMATA Board of Directors tentatively approved the purchase in January.

The new building is planned to extend about 5,000 square feet over the existing plaza and reach 200 feet in height, which is the maximum allowed height for that area, said Anne Martin, an attorney representing the developer.

No decisions have been made about including moderately-priced units in the building, she said.

The condominiums will likely comprise a mix of one- to two-bedroom and luxury units, which, Lane said, would provide options beyond the abundance of expensive luxury condominiums already available in downtown Bethesda.

Plans also call for an elevator to connect the Metro Center’s existing underground parking garage and bus station with the condominiums. The parking garage is expected to accommodate the new residents.

Two tenants currently inhabit the existing food court

and developers are speaking with the tenants about the future plans, Lane said.