The revised Falkland North project in Silver Spring is in line for three key approvals next week, including one that would clear the way for the site’s first two new buildings.
Chevy Chase-based developer The JBG Cos. bought the Falkland Chase apartments in 2013 for a reported $98 million.
The 450 existing apartments are spread over low-rise buildings in three sections all surrounding the intersection of East West Highway and 16th Street. The fourth property around the intersection is home to the well-known Summit Hills Apartments.
The previous Falkland Chase owner had approval for a mixed-use redevelopment project of its own, but JBG altered those plans and will seek Planning Board approval of its changes for the Falkland North lot at the board’s Sept. 10 meeting.
If approved, JBG could build up to 1,250 residential units in five buildings at Falkland North, ranging from a six-story building at the corner of East West Highway and 16th Street to a 15-story building toward the back of the property along railroad tracks and the future route of the light-rail Purple Line.
The project would be built in three phases. Among the approvals JBG is seeking next week is final site plan approval for phase one, the six-floor, 230-unit building and a 89-foot-tall, 137-unit building. The two buildings would be built near the northeast corner of the intersection.
Via Montgomery County Planning Department
Phase one will bring up to 96,000 square feet of retail, restaurant or service space in the ground floors of the buildings facing East West Highway and 16th Street. The area now is made up completely of garden apartments.
Phase one would also include Market Street, open to vehicles coming off of East West Highway during normal business hours but meant also as a pedestrian promenade with a curbless design and the versatility to be closed off for farmers markets or other special events.
The project will include a roughly 7,500-square-foot dog park between the 15-story building and the train tracks. The dog park, long a desire of many in downtown Silver Spring, will be open to the public.
The two final buildings will be 13 stories tall and built along the north side of East West Highway.
The approvals would require 12.5 percent of the up to 1,250 units be reserved as moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs). About 5 percent of the units must be workforce housing—another category of affordable housing.
Residents at the new buildings will share an underground garage.
JBG said last year it hoped to deliver the first phase of the project by 2019.
