Development
A technically complex mixed-use development delivering a future light rail station and regional bike path alongside office, residential, and retail space. Completed on an aggressive schedule to support office preleasing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wilson & The Elm is a large-scale, transit-oriented mixed-use development located at the southern gateway to downtown Bethesda. The project combines office, residential, retail, and public spaces on a highly constrained urban site.
The development incorporates a future Purple Line light rail station, active WMATA systems, and a new tunnel for the Capital Crescent Trail within the project footprint. These elements introduced distinct operational and sequencing requirements that heavily informed planning, design, and construction. From the outset, the project demanded careful coordination among public agencies, design teams, and construction partners to ensure progress above grade remained aligned with infrastructure below.
We advanced construction while maintaining operational continuity for multiple transit systems beneath the site. The existing WMATA ventilation and egress infrastructure was reconfigured while remaining operational, and both the Purple Line station shell and the Capital Crescent Trail tunnel were constructed within the same footprint as the buildings above. The scale of coordination across public stakeholders, utilities, and construction teams made sequencing, clarity, and early decision-making essential from day one.
In parallel with its technical complexity, the project schedule was driven by office lease obligations and proforma dates for residential leasing. Key infrastructure milestones, including completion of the Purple Line station concrete shell, were achieved early in the construction timeline to support overall delivery goals.
When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged during the heart of construction, Carr Properties adapted without altering the schedule. Adjustments were made to sequencing and site operations, and a number of timely changes, including touchless circulation and enhanced air filtration, were made to ensure the health and wellness of our customers.
The Wilson & The Elm was delivered on time, integrating transit infrastructure, residential living, hospitality-centered workspace, and public areas into a single, cohesive development. The project embodies our distinct approach to complex urban work: balancing public infrastructure obligations with private development goals, maintaining discipline under pressure, and delivering long-term value through careful execution.
