Sketch Plan approved for 1.9 million square foot arts-focused residential community at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro

Fivesquares Development announced today that the Montgomery County Planning Board has unanimously approved its “Sketch Plan” for Strathmore Square, a 1.9 million square foot arts-focused residential community. The Sketch Plan outlines the project’s vision for massing, height, density, circulation, phasing—and public spaces and amenities. This Sketch Plan approval was the next critical step in implementing the Minor Master Plan which was unanimously approved by the Montgomery County Council last December. A Preliminary Plan will be filed in 2019.

Strathmore Square will transform a nondescript commuter parking lot at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro into a distinctive new neighborhood with seven new buildings with active ground floor uses surrounding a 1.2 acre civic “Square”. The plan will feature approximately 2000 residences and up to 150,000 SF of cultural and commercial uses.

A vibrant gathering place for the community and commuters, the “Square” will be the heart of the project, with arts programs, activations, neighborhood retail and performances adding to the landscaped green space. Through a partnership with Strathmore Music Center, the project will feature artistic elements and energy throughout, including potential space for Strathmore Artists in Residence.

Integral to the vision is a focus on improved connections. The plan features a new internal multimodal “Spine Road” creating a central between new buildings, to Metro, to the Square, and to surrounding communities. And new bike lanes, bike parking, and bikeshare will connect to surrounding protected green space and trails.

“We are creating something really special at Strathmore Square”, said Andy Altman, Managing principal at Fivesquares Development. This is about shaping a place anchored by arts, transit, green space, and a real sense of community.” The neighborhood got a taste of the Strathmore Square vision last year when Fivesquares Development repurposed a metro rail car as an arts installation and retail pop up that celebrated creativity, transit, and community.

Background

• Fivesquares Development was selected by WMATA as its joint development partner in 2014 for the 14 acre site
• Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the Minor Master Plan for Strathmore Square in December 2017
• The Sketch Plan approval sets the stage for the Preliminary Plan in 2019
• The first piece of the project, starting in early 2019 will be the expansion of the Grosvenor Metro Garage to replace the adjacent surface parking lot. The lot will become part of the new Strathmore Square.
• Fivesquares Development is led by principals Andy Altman and Ron Kaplan. Fivesquares is currently redeveloping a city block at 14th Street between R and Riggs Streets with Whitman Walker Health.