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M-NCPPC’s Wheaton Headquarters named finalist for the Urban Land Institute’s Americas Awards for Excellence
Release Date: May 4, 2021
May 4, 2021
As one of 23 finalists selected from across the Americas, the development was recognized for its sustainable mixed-use design and for contributing to the revitalization of downtown Wheaton
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department and Montgomery Parks, both part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) are pleased to announce that their new Wheaton Headquarters is one of 23 finalists selected across the Americas for the Urban Land Institute’s Americas Awards for Excellence. The 14-story development was selected for its sustainable mixed-use design and for contributing to the revitalization of downtown Wheaton.
The Urban Land Institute evaluated the development, also known as The Wheaton Revitalization Project, based on criteria such as, design, planning, technology, economic impact, community engagement, innovation, and sustainability. In addition to the open category, the development is also eligible to be recognized in the following categories: Equitable Development, Resilient Development, Small-Scale Development, and Urban Open Space.
“We carefully designed our headquarters to be more than just an office building, but a place for the community to gather and bring even more life into the downtown Wheaton area,” said Montgomery Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. “We are proud for it to be recognized as one of the finest developments in North and South America by the Urban Land Institute. This building, which is now a key part of Wheaton’s skyline, would not have been possible without the support of the County Council and the work of our partners at the county’s Department of Transportation.”
The Wheaton development, which is owned by M-NCPPC, was designed by Gensler and developed by Stonebridge with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation managing the design and construction. The entire project was constructed by Clark Construction Group. It was part of a Public/Private land swap which allowed Montgomery Planning to vacate the site of their old office building in downtown Silver Spring, leaving room for a new mixed-use gateway development at the corner of Spring Street and Georgia Avenue comprised of a 400 residential unit complex with an urban grocery store within walking distance to the Silver Spring transit station.
“It was important for us to help bring M-NCPPC’s vision of a mixed-use green office space to life,” said Stonebridge Principal Jane G. Mahaffie. “It is an honor to have the Urban Land Institute recognize this innovative project, which took years of thoughtful planning, creative financing and community involvement. I am pleased that we were able to create a functional workspace for multiple county agencies and positively impact the Wheaton community with the exceptional new Town Square.”
The development includes a 200-seat auditorium for Planning Board meetings, a new .75 acre town square, and an underground public parking garage. The town square includes public space with an amphitheater for people to gather and enjoy programming throughout the year as well as a fountain and public art on the plaza.
Approximately 900 government employees will eventually work out of the office building to help revitalize the downtown Wheaton area. In addition to the Montgomery Planning and Montgomery Parks Departments headquarters, it is also home to six Montgomery County departments including:
- Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (MCDPS)
- Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP)
- Mid-County Regional Services Center – Wheaton Urban District
- Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF)
- Montgomery County Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Montgomery County Department of Recreation (REC)
The building, located at 2425 Reedie Drive, is adjacent to the Wheaton Metro and bus transfer station. This enables staff to take transit to and from work. Staff and building guests will also be encouraged to walk and bike to the building when possible, reducing traffic and adding more pedestrian and street activity to downtown Wheaton.
Earlier this year, the Wheaton building became the first government-owned office building in Maryland to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Urban Land Institute will announce the Americas Awards for Excellence winners this summer.
About the Wheaton Headquarters
The mixed-use, LEED-Platinum M-NCPPC Headquarters building, located at 2425 Reedie Drive, with ground-floor retail and upper-floor offices frames both Triangle Lane and Grandview Avenue, a landscaped plaza and the Marian Fryer town square across Reedie Drive. The M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters is the first government-owned office building to achieve LEED Platinum status in Maryland. The large, entrance lobby is framed in glass, illuminates the new plaza at night and is inviting and symbolizes the transparency and civic mindedness of government. The two-story lobby space will be open to the public once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and used for displays, celebrations, and other events. The open lobby includes an information desk and publicly accessible grand staircase leading to the Planning Board auditorium on the second floor. A living green wall extends on one side of the space to represent the building’s environmentally sensitive design. The building is currently closed to the public with staff on a maximum telework schedule due to the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about the M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters building.