Located in Montgomery County, Maryland, Chevy Chase Lake Block B is a 9.5-acre, transit-oriented, mixed-use development adjacent to a future transit station. At the heart of this project lies a profound commitment to honoring the past while crafting a contemporary and vibrant community. From 1894 to 1937, the site hosted the Chevy Chase Lake Amusement Park - a popular recreational destination accessible by trolley for residents of Washington, D.C. The founders of Chevy Chase Lake envisioned it as "a tranquil yet convenient community away from the bustling city," a place where rolling land met wooded crests and impressive homes.

Present-Day Setting
Chevy Chase Lake has matured into an established neighborhood known for its traditional architectural charm, pedestrian-friendly streets, and lush, natural surroundings. The current development builds on these foundations, threading together history, community, and ecology to create a renewed sense of place that seeks to preserve local character, enhance quality of life, improve connectivity, and introduce opportunities for public space, housing, and retail. The design philosophy revolves around key drivers - craftsmanship, flexibility, togetherness, sustainability, and multi-modal transit - that express themselves in the largest site gestures and the most refined details. The site comprises an array of outdoor environments, including a town square, a transit plaza, two amenity courtyards, three penthouse roof decks, and a pedestrian-oriented streetscape that seamlessly knits the site into the surrounding neighborhood.

A Civic Heart Rooted in Heritage

 
Acting as the centerpiece of Block B, the town square comprises a central open space and four distinct edges that cater to daily use and a variety of programmed events, from concerts and seasonal markets to community festivals. The design ensures flexibility while fostering a cohesive identity. The west edge of the square functions as the principal entrance, featuring a stormwater management area that provides not only essential infrastructure but also a soft visual and acoustic buffer from the traffic. At the east end, a multi-use hardscape plaza offers space for sitting and gathering, while a central open lawn provides room for passive recreation and community activities.

A standout feature in the square is an interactive trolley sculpture constructed from recycled acrylic and salvaged steel.This artistic installation pays homage to the original trolley that once carried visitors to the Chevy Chase Lake Amusement Park. Located at the center of the square, the trolley serves as both a landmark and a playful, educational piece. The north and south edges of the square are framed by shared streets that serve a dual function as fire lanes. Designed with tree all?(C)es, decorative planters, bollards, and light poles, these streets echo the character of the historic neighborhood. They also enhance views toward retail storefronts and invite pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles to share space in a safe, welcoming environment.

Seamless Arrival, Lasting Impression
As a true transit-oriented development, this plaza serves as a public arrival point for visitors accessing the site by rail. Strategically positioned to provide both public access and a degree of privacy for residents, it was carefully designed with amenities that enhance engagement, such as an interactive water feature and an open lawn area that, together, provide spaces for relaxation, play, and gathering. A robust network of bicycle parking at the platform and throughout the plaza supports sustainable mobility, reinforcing connections to the nearby Capital Crescent Trail and making the site a node within the regional transit and recreation infrastructure.

Stitching the Fabric of Place
The streetscape surrounding Block B is carefully choreographed to prioritize human connection. Streets are scaled to promote walking, talking, and community health while drawing aesthetic inspiration from the traditional neighborhood design of historic Chevy Chase Lake. The streets serve not only as thoroughfares but also as social spaces that reinforce neighborly interaction and community wellness. Materiality plays a critical role in tying together past and present. The palette includes traditional brick, precast pavers, wood, and painted metal - a rich and warm combination that reflects the legacy of Art Deco architecture while asserting a contemporary, approachable aesthetic. These materials lend the spaces a timeless quality, making them feel both elegant and relaxed.

Art, Culture, and the Design Ethos
Chevy Chase Lake Block B expresses a holistic design ethos, one that values craftsmanship, flexibility, sustainability, and multimodal access. The integration of art and nature is visible throughout the site, from the central trolley sculpture to the playful water features and the subtle patterns of paving that reference natural elements. Whether through interpretive design elements, thoughtfully selected plantings, or infrastructure that serves multiple functions, the development exemplifies a vision for urban resilience, connectivity, and beauty.

Conclusion
Chevy Chase Lake Block B is not just a collection of built components; it is a carefully curated landscape that respects its historical context while pushing forward new paradigms in urban living. By intertwining landscape, architecture, transportation, and culture, the project delivers on its promise to create a setting where residents and visitors alike can gather, connect, and thrive. From the active energy of its shared streets and town square to the contemplative quiet of its courtyards, Block B exemplifies a high standard of design that honors history, celebrates community, and imagines a future grounded in nature and human connection.

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2025.