Bethesda Apartment Project to Begin Construction in 2027
The 17-story development will add 270 residential units and 6,000 square feet of commercial space to the area.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Do you support the redevelopment of older local business sites into large new apartment buildings?
Developers are set to break ground on a new 17-story apartment building in early 2027 following the demolition of several commercial properties. The project will transform a site at the corner of St. Elmo Avenue and Old Georgetown Road that formerly housed the Old Georgetown Grille.
Why it matters
This redevelopment reflects a shift in Bethesda toward high-density mixed-use projects that replace older low-rise businesses with residential capacity. The change alters the local commercial mix, trading a long-standing local restaurant for new housing units and ground-floor retail space.
The development plan, approved in January 2025, authorizes 270 apartment units, including 41 moderately priced units, alongside 6,000 square feet of commercial space and 145 underground parking spots.
The players
Planning Board
The local regulatory body responsible for reviewing and approving land-use and development projects in the community.
The details
The project replaces a footprint that once hosted the Old Georgetown Grille, which operated at 7755 Old Georgetown Road for over 20 years. Construction will follow the demolition of the final commercial buildings on the site. The completed 17-story building will integrate residential density with limited street-level storefronts designed to replace the prior commercial offerings.
Timeline
January 2025: The Planning Board approved the project development plans.
Early October 2026: The Old Georgetown Grille closed operations at 7755 Old Georgetown Road.
Early 2027: Developers expect to start demolition and new construction work.
Spring 2029: New tenants may begin moving into the completed apartment building.
Market Landscape
This project marks a continuation of the intense redevelopment cycle mandated by the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan. The plan prioritizes high-density residential infill, systematically replacing legacy neighborhood businesses with larger footprints.
Business operators in the immediate vicinity of St. Elmo Avenue should prepare for construction-related traffic disruptions and site access limitations starting in early 2027. Owners of adjacent retail should plan for a multi-year construction window that will alter foot traffic patterns until completion in 2029.
The takeaway
The transition from low-rise dining to high-rise mixed-use is the new baseline for core Bethesda commercial blocks. Businesses operating nearby should monitor the project's construction schedule to adjust delivery routes and customer access points for the next two-plus years.
Further reading
For more on evolving local real estate trends, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bethesda Magazine.
Live Poll
Do you support the redevelopment of older local business sites into large new apartment buildings?
