8300 Wisconsin Development Won't House Artists' Workspace

A new development slated for 8300 Wisconsin Avenue – the former site of the failed Trillium project – will likely not house artists’ workspace, as a Bethesda development action group had hoped.

Developers of the nine-story 8300 Wisconsin project, which will feature 300-375 residential rental units and a grocery store, again brought conceptual plans before the Woodmont Triangle Action Group last week.

The condominium project originally planned for the site, known as the Trillium, would have brought three residential towers with more than 170 units to the corner of Battery Lane and Wisconsin Avenue. But that project faltered in a sluggish economy, and in March, Bethesda-based StonebridgeCarras and Walton Street Capital, L.L.C.,

Bethesda community leaders had previously forged an agreement with the Patrinely Group – developers of the failed Trillium project – that would have brought the workspace to the project initially planned for the site. Under the agreement, the studios would have been leased to the county and managed by the

More space for artists in the Woodmont Triangle has been a priority for the action group, and members have asked StonebridgeCarras and Walton Street Capital in previous meetings whether the agreement could be carried over to the new project.

Jan. 13, however, developers said the artist workspace wouldn’t mesh with their concept for the mixed-use residential project. Rather, developers will propose including space for rotating art displays –which may include performance art – as a way to fulfill their public amenity requirements when they file plans with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission later this month.

The rotating art displays are planned for a large interior plaza, a major feature of the project.

“[The agreement] wasn’t an obligation that was attached to the land, it was attached to the Trillium project, which we’re not building,” said Bob Dalrymple, an attorney representing developers.

While some members of the group expressed dismay at the announcement, many praised the new project for bringing a grocery store to residents in the densely populated neighborhoods surrounding the property.

The entrance to the below-grade store is planned to be a plaza at the corner of Battery and Wisconsin Avenues.

The project will also feature townhomes that front Wisconsin Avenue. Pending approvals, developers expect to break ground in early 2013.

The project is expected to take between 20 and 24 months to construct.