This story, originally published at 8 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2024, was updated at 12:20 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2024, to correct that The Children’s Inn at NIH is a separate nonprofit entity doing its own fundraising.
The Bethesda Meeting House, a historic church that is the namesake for the thriving urban center, was purchased by a local historic preservation group on Jan. 8. The group, the Bethesda Meeting House Foundation (BMHF), will oversee the future use and restoration of the church, which showed signs of deterioration in recent years.
BMHF is exploring options in partnering with a local nonprofit organization to use the site. According to Hank Levine, the president of BMHF, the meeting house is “by far the most important historic building near downtown Bethesda and literally embodies the history of the community.”
The church served as the town’s first post office in 1852 and was occupied by Confederate calvary during an 1864 Civil War “skirmish” in what is now downtown Bethesda, a press release stated. According to legend, the church’s bell is linked to Paul Revere and Abraham Lincoln is said to have worshipped or spoken on the site. [The MoCo Show]
Fundraising aims to expand Children’s Inn, increase capacity
The Children’s Inn at NIH is preparing to fundraise around $50 million to expand and renovate the facility, which serves children and teens who are receiving experimental therapies at NIH.
Renovation plans would transform the facility into a “state-of-the-art living facility” with more capacity for patients and their families, an upgrade to the HVAC system, and a new two-story tower for a lobby, sensory area and covered walkway to and from the parking lot.
In terms of increasing capacity, the project involves increasing from 61 to 65 rooms and growing its isolation wing from four to 13 apartment-style spaces. According to the nonprofit, after expansion, the Inn will be able to serve 1,700 families annually—200 more than at its current capacity. [Washington Business Journal]
2023 housing market trends for the Washington, D.C. area
Housing market data from 2023 is now available from data provided by Bright MLS. Below are some notable stats:
- 48,950 homes were sold in the D.C. region in 2023, down 21% from 2022.
- The median home price in the region was the highest price on record at $570,000.
- The most expensive home sold in the region was in the Swedish ambassadorial residence in Georgetown, which sold for $17.3 million.
- Last year in Montgomery County, former owner of the Washington Commanders Dan Snyder listed his Potomac mansion for $49 million. In August, the listing price dropped to $34.9 million. The mansion is still on the market.
- In December, the Bethesda home of Washington Wizard player, Bradley Beal, sold for $9.1 million – about $1 million under the asking price.
- 51% of homes in the region sold in 10 days or less.
- 19% of homes sold for all cash in 2023
In addition, Home sellers in the D.C. region saw record profits in 2023 with an average of $165,000. The year prior it was $152,000. Sellers in the Chevy Chase and Bethesda ZIP codes saw the highest gains by dollar amount, and average profits exceeded $500,000. [Urban Turf]