The Great Transformation: Federal Plaza West Edition
Ah, May 2022, a time when Federal Realty decided that the not-so-thriving site known as Federal Plaza West at 1776 E. Jefferson Street in North Bethesda (or Rockville, depending on how optimistic you’re feeling) needed a facelift. So, in a burst of creativity, they proposed a “mixed-use development” that will promise up to 500 units of shiny new apartments, a mere 108,965 square feet of retail space (because who doesn’t need more retail?), a half-acre of public open space—good luck finding it in the stampede—and some street-scape improvements that will surely require more than a simple coat of paint. The excitement reached new heights last week when the Montgomery County Planning Board gave a hearty thumbs-up to this illustrious endeavor.
Current State of Affairs
Currently, Federal Plaza West is a bustling hub of about 135,446 square feet of retail, previously home to Planet Fitness. Don’t worry, fitness junkies! It’s making room for MoCo’s very first DMV Iron Gym, a place where you can say “I lift” without ever lifting your paycheck. Meanwhile, other retailers have settled into a two- to three-story structure that strategically huddles near the property line just for your browsing convenience. In the southwest quadrant? A Panera Bread pad site accompanied by a parking lot. That’s right, folks—carbs and parking in abundance. Bon appétit!
A Deep Dive into Montgomery Planning
Let’s get serious for a hot second: this property, located at the glamorous intersection of Rollins Avenue and East Jefferson Street, is documented as Lot P2 in “Memco’s Addition to Montrose.” Don’t let that title fool you into thinking this is some kind of hipster coffee shop—it’s just real estate jargon. Covering a staggering 283,914 square feet or 6.52 acres (who even counts acres anymore?), it’s nestled within the 2018 Approved and Adopted White Flint Sector Plan 2 Sector Plan. Yes, that sector plan sounds like something your over-involved uncle might bring up at Thanksgiving.
Not All That Glitters
The icing on the cake is that the vast majority of the retail excitement is primarily located on the adjacent Lot 1, gleaming like a diamond on Rockville Pike. Meanwhile, Lot 2—the forgotten sibling—has some retail space too, but it’s essentially the shadow of Lot 1, quietly trying to blend in. “Hey, look at all this retail!” you might yell, while only Lot 1 waves back in a friendly, but indifferent, manner.
Mixed-Use? More Like Mixed-Feelings
As we gear up for this so-called “thriving mixed-use development,” one might wonder: are we really mixing all these uses or just mixing up our expectations? Will those 500 units come with added perks, like complimentary spirit-lifting yoga classes or meditation spaces for when you realize you’ve just paid your rent? Fingers crossed!
A Brief Intermission
And while you’re pondering, here’s a brief intermission to appreciate how much we adore the word “improvements.” It makes us feel like we’re participating in some exciting community evolution instead of just reshuffling retail options like it’s a game of Monopoly.
The Future is Bright (Or Is It?)
So here we are, bracing ourselves for the glorious future of Federal Plaza West. The combination of a gym, retail space, and the elusive open space is a recipe for success—or at least for a potent combination of brick and mortar that’s sure to spark some conversation. Who doesn’t love a good build-up, right? If nothing else, make sure you bring a friend to help carry the weight of all that “mixed-use” excitement. After all, as they say, a project half-finished is a project in the making!
Featured photo courtesy of Montgomery Planning.
