Avocet Tower and AC Hotel | Bethesda, Maryland | 2022

Design Architects: Pickard Chilton
Lead Architect: Jon Pickard
Architect of Record: Cooper Carry
Design Team: Steve Smith, Heidi Leinbach, Mushtaque Abban, and Samatha Boyde
Landscape Architect: Parker Rodriguez Inc.
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty PLC.
Client: Stonebridge, LLC.
Photographers: Alan Karchmer Architectural Photographer

Located 3 miles from downtown Washington, DC, the development is ideally sited within Bethesda’s  burgeoning popular urban core. Capitalizing on the city’s recent Sector Plan with the right to develop up  to 250’ in height, the trophy-class tower’s timeless and elegant design has transformed the Bethesda skyline while enhancing its prominent urban site.

Avocet Tower is a new LEED-CS Platinum mixed use, transit-oriented 22-story development comprising 386,000 gsf of Class A office space, a 220-key AC Hotel, wellness-forward amenities, and parking.  A vibrant mix of amenities, along with work and gathering spaces, as well as a restaurant, provide areas with full wifi connectivity for users, residents, and visitors to socialize. Adjoining the roof top terrace, the 18th floor conference center accommodates up to 200 people between 4 conference rooms.

Avocet Tower’s bold architectural composition has redefined the city’s new business landscape. Drawing attention to the front entrance, a canopy cantilevers 45 feet over the plaza to create a dramatic and welcoming element. Suspended from the canopy, a 60' long interactive LED art installation further animates the entrance.

Inspired by astronomical star fields, the interactive sculpture integrates touchpoints throughout the plaza that can be manipulated by pedestrians to change the patterns. The public plaza includes a water feature and multiple seating options to significantly enhance the pedestrian experience and further enliven the district.

Generous open spaces foster a continuous flow of vitality through the public plaza as well as through the office and hotel lobbies. Crowned by an elegant 40-ft high trellis, the 18th floor roof top sky terrace offers 360° unobstructed views of the Bethesda and DC skylines. A highly desirable amenity, it offers a catering kitchen, outdoor furniture, seasonal native plantings, and restrooms.

Avocet Tower’s welcoming, daylit double-height lobby is appointed with comfortable seating and a rich series of natural finishes, tones, and textures. Here, occupants experience the harmonious, sophisticated, and yet relaxed ambiance to expect throughout their experience within the building.

As its centerpiece, a breathtaking 13’ by 20’ feature wall of book-matched Bolivian Sodalite blue marble anchors the entrance. The health and wellbeing of all users was paramount to the project’s holistic design. Constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic, innovative project features include a touchless entry sequence and destination dispatch elevators that allow for safe, social distancing. The first-class 5,000 sf fitness center offers state-of the-art equipment, spin room, yoga studio, lockers, and shower facilities.

Avocet Tower offers users immediate access to the popular Red and Purple Metro Lines. It is also in close proximity to local walking trails. Ideally located for commuter cycling, it links to the Bethesda bike lane network and is a 3-minute bike ride to the Capital Crescent Trail.

Located on the P1 parking level, secure bike storage accommodates up to 80 bikes and includes a complimentary repair and refresh station.

Achieving both LEED-CS Platinum and IWBI WELL Health & Safety Certification, the project prioritized sustainability throughout its design. The office’s elegant glass façade of highly developed View Glass allows for sweeping views out and controlled natural light deep within the office space while reducing solar heat gain and glare but improving energy efficiency.

Additional notable sustainable features include state of the art, high efficiency air handling system with dedicated fresh air, multiple green and bio-retention roofs throughout the tower, electric vehicle charging stations, and material selection prioritized local and low emitting building product.