Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?

[Anonymous]

Friendship heights seems to have all the ingredients needed for a lively semi-urban area. It’s dense, with many high rise condo and apartment buildings. It has nice mall and shopping infrastructure. It’s connected, with redline metro access. And it’s walkable, with grocery stores and other amenities within walking distance.

So what gives? Why is it overall so lame and empty? (New food hall is admittedly pretty good). My personal theory is that it’s an age and cultural issue: everyone who lives nearby is geriatric (just look how many medical offices there are) and not looking for urban fun. What are are your theories?

[Anonymous]

COVID killed it.

A cross border Business Improvement District was created; Mazza Gallery is being redeveloped, and soon the Lord & Taylor, Maggianos, WMATA Bus Garage and other parcels will be redeveloped. In 5-7 years, it will be completely transformed.

[Anonymous]

No, it was dying a slow death way before covid. It needs to be redeveloped but not by stupid commercial real estate developers who just keep putting in chains.

[Anonymous]

It was dying before Covid. Expensive stores, no parking.

[Anonymous]

I used to love to shop there. I went to Saks the other day and their new parking is a pain. And their merchandise seemed very unappealing.

[Anonymous]

I used to Metro over there to buy groceries in 2000-2002. I would also go shopping and see movies. That was when I didn't have a car and lived near the metro. I do now.

Now I do all of that in either:
Downtown Silver Spring,
PG Plaza area

Other places like Beltsville or Annapolis.

It became a commercial center when there was a lot less competition. I would think that the construction on the Red Line which happened for a long time on weekends slowly killed peoples' habits of going there. With no movie theater and groceries near so many more metro stations now, I don't know why people would go over there. Other than for doctors' offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was dying before Covid. Expensive stores, no parking.

At one point, there were three discount retailers (TJ Maxx, Marshalls -- still there -- and Nordstrom Rack) on the same block, and there is a truly massive amount of parking, much of it discounted if you validate. What on earth are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

IMO it served mostly as a retail destination with a lot of national chains. I don't think there was ever a big bar/restaurant scene, which is now evolving and will liven it up a bit (there was the sports bar, maggianos, and booeymonger?). I think the redevelopment will really liven it up once there are a lot more apartments and more experiential retail+food options

[Anonymous]

Online shopping killed it. Should bring in kids play places, water fountains, cafes, gyms like rock climbing, library or bookstore, senior center or other community center, farmers market, etc to regrow traffic. Not very walkable though. Need to make parking more convenient.

[Anonymous]

Expensive stores, pay to park. Plus Bethesda shopping area right up the street.
Rents are too high.
It’s happening all over, companies pay a fortune for land and have to recoup somewhere so they pass it on via the lease…. Except businesses can’t afford the high rents.
And people don’t want to pay to park.
Same issue in Rockville town center… Rio is close by with free parking and it’s nicer to walk around with the lake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Expensive stores, pay to park. Plus Bethesda shopping area right up the street.
Rents are too high.
It’s happening all over, companies pay a fortune for land and have to recoup somewhere so they pass it on via the lease…. Except businesses can’t afford the high rents.
And people don’t want to pay to park.
Same issue in Rockville town center… Rio is close by with free parking and it’s nicer to walk around with the lake.

I would pay to never have to park at Rio again. Except I don't have to, all I have to do is just never drive to Rio again. Parking at Rio may be free, but it's hell.

Also the lake is rightupnexto 270. To each their own, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Online shopping killed it. Should bring in kids play places, water fountains, cafes, gyms like rock climbing, library or bookstore, senior center or other community center, farmers market, etc to regrow traffic. Not very walkable though. Need to make parking more convenient.

How much more convenient can the parking be?!?!

Also you can either have convenient [free] parking, or you can have a walkable area, but there's no such thing as a walkable area with convenient [free] parking.

[Anonymous]

It's sad that such a nice area can't support the high-end stores. I loved all the department stores back in the day - the best selection. All supported despite having a thriving Montgomery Mall and White Flint close by.

[Anonymous]

Unlike Bethesda Row, it's not a fun place to walk/stroll. You've got Wisconsin and Western Avenue traffic cutting off each side of the street. Ten years ago when they had J Crew, H&M and those sorts of retailers there, they never got a critical mass of stores where people would want to go to. Finally, it's ugly as sin. The architecture is hideous and uninviting.

[Anonymous]

I miss the Lord & Taylor, but department store and mall shopping are old school now. Younger people want bars, restaurants, experiences, and retail that opens onto the street. If they develop it right, and there’s easy parking, it will come back.