Betsy Griffith was tired of maintaining her five-bedroom house in McLean. The last of her children had moved out, and she was ready to downsize. After retiring as headmistress of McLean’s Madeira School in June, Griffith bought a two-bedroom condo at the Adagio in the heart of Bethesda’s downtown.
She liked the amenities, which include free parking and a guest suite for family visits. And she didn’t have to sacrifice her love of gardening—the unit has a private balcony where she grows lavender, petunias, black-eyed Susans, and more. “I’ve walked to the movies a lot, and there’s tons of restaurants,” she says.
In addition to attracting empty-nesters, downtown Bethesda draws lots of young couples and single professionals looking for a mix of city conveniences and suburban comforts. Here are new buildings in and around the area with condos for sale:
Most of the 92 units at the Adagio (6708 Wisconsin Ave.; 301-652-1911) have balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows; all condos have nine-foot or higher ceilings. The building is two blocks from the shops and restaurants in Bethesda Row. Available condos range from 1,282 to 2,085 square feet and cost $780,000 to $1.4 million. The remaining units have two or three bedrooms.
The Chase at Bethesda (7500 Woodmont Ave.; 301-718-0069) is offering $30,000 off selected two-bedroom condos and $20,000 off selected one-bedrooms. Less than a block from the Bethesda Metro, the complex has two tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and a fitness center. Some condos feature wood-burning fireplaces, and all units come with hardwood floors in the living and dining rooms. Prices start in the high $300,000s for a one-bedroom and top out in the mid-$700,000s for a two-bedroom with den. About 15 percent of the 255 condos are still on the market.
Lionsgate (7710 Woodmont Ave.; 301-986-0066), at Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, is steps from the Bethesda Metro and a few blocks from the Capital Crescent Trail. Features include granite countertops, stone flooring in the bathroom and foyer, and balconies in most of the 158 units. There’s also a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, and a concierge. Condos range from 1,450 to 1,960 square feet and are priced from the high $900,000s to about $1.2 million.
About six miles north of downtown Bethesda, close to Rockville, Midtown Bethesda North (5750 Bou Ave., North Bethesda; 301-770-8604) has about ten condos on the market. Two blocks from the Twinbrook Metro, the 230-unit building has a concierge service, guest suite, billiards room, fitness center, and 20th-floor sundeck and pool. Prices start at $429,000.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Open House Blog | Homes | Real Estate
