JP Morgan Chase rep trashes renowned Rockville architect in presentation to Mayor & Council

Rockville's Mayor and Council received testimony regarding whether or not the former Meixin Supermarket building at 460 Hungerford Drive should be designated historic last night. They ultimately decided to leave the public record open for another week to receive further comments, meaning a final decision won't come before next Monday at the earliest. While those representing JP Morgan Chase, N.A. in the matter were expected to argue against historic designation, preservation advocates were taken aback when Chase's expert witness went beyond the building at hand, to trash the entire career of renowned Rockville architect James "Jack" Sullivan.

Sullivan has been lauded locally for his many landmark buildings in the city and elsewhere in Montgomery County. Structures like the Rockville Swim Center and Aspen Hill Library remain prime examples of midcentury modern architecture, and the post-World War II growth of our suburban area. The late Sullivan was featured alongside fellow architect Jack Samperton in a documentary for Rockville's Channel 11, A Pair of Jacks. His work, such as 900 Spring Street in Silver Spring, won awards.

But in the words of JP Morgan Chase's expert, Sullivan "was not a master architect," and was "never recognized by his peers." Really? She dismissed Sullivan as "a workaday architect," and said only the Aspen Hill Library qualified as an exceptional building. 

Anyone with a passing knowledge of, or interest in, midcentury modern architecture would find such a critique laughable on its face. Much of Sullivan's work is indeed exceptional, and today's newer buildings most often pale in comparison. While 460 Hungerford Drive may not represent the summit of Sullivan's portfolio, such a savage ravaging of the man's work is farcical when it is proposed to be replaced with a box of a bank branch. No Rockville hearts were won by JP Morgan Chase last night.

Historic status of former Chinese supermarket to be decided in Rockville tonight

There are several significant resolutions on the agenda of the Rockville Mayor and Council tonight. Votes tonight will determine if all City employees must be vaccinated, and if Rockville will expand to take the King Buick GMC dealership property into its boundaries. Also on the agenda: a vote to decide whether the former Meixin Supermarket at 460 Hungerford Drive merits historic designation.

The distinctive Mansard roof-topped structure is one of many Rockville landmarks designed by the architecture firm of the late John "Jack" Sullivan. Sullivan was also responsible for the Aspen Hill Library, the Rockville Swim Center, and the Humble Car Care Center (R.I.P.). The Mayor and Council will have to weigh how many buildings in the Sullivan portfolio must be preserved versus the desire of J.P. Morgan Chase to open a bank branch on the site. 

City staff is recommending against historic designation, arguing the structure does not meet the established criteria. Preservation organization Peerless Rockville contends otherwise. "Peerless contends that the growth of the City in the Mid-Century is truly significant to the development of the city itself and deserved to be fully surveyed, researched, documented and evaluated before the [Historic District] Commission can adequately render judgement on any particular building's significance," wrote Nancy Pickard, Executive Director of Peerless Rockville. Matthew McCool, a Vice-President at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. says that if the building is designated historic, the bank branch plan will be canceled.

Maintenance work at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Some interesting maintenance work was being done on the namesake square at Rockville Town Square yesterday. Part of the square was fenced off. Workers were accessing something under the square using the hidden doors seen below.

Sneak peek: Lao Sze Chuan in White Flint

It was all-hands-on-deck last night at Lao Sze Chuan, the Szechuan Chinese restaurant opening soon at 20 Paseo Drive at North Bethesda Market off Rockville Pike. Workers were putting the finishing touches on decor, setting dining tables, and making final kitchen preparations. Founded in Chicago in 1998, Lao Sze Chuan's Windy City location received the coveted Three-Fork rating from the Chicago Tribune a year later, a groundbreaking honor for a Chinese restaurant in that city.

Lao Sze Chuan will offer dine-in, curbside pickup and contactless delivery options. The restaurant takes over the former Brio space at NoBe Market.

European Wax Center update at Fallsgrove Village Center

European Wax Center looks just about ready to start waxing at Fallsgrove Village Center in Rockville. The spa is way ahead of neighbor Bethesda Bagels in its construction. Texas-based European Wax Center was founded in 2004, has over 800 spas nationwide, and recently went public and exceeded earning forecasts.

Urban Plates closes; Aerie, Marvel Adventure Lab open at Montgomery Mall

A second tenant in the most-prominent space in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall has failed. Urban Plates has closed permanently, according to a sign posted at the interior entrance to the restaurant. The upscale buffet concept had the tragic timing to run head on into a global pandemic that idled buffets, and a shift to table service after the initial lockdown clearly failed to turn things around. One wonders how the chain will prosper at the struggling Collection at Chevy Chase if it flopped in a busy food court, but Clyde's has made it work, so let's give them a chance.

On the positive side, Aerie has opened on Level 1. It just missed the summer opening target as fall arrived at 12:00 AM last Wednesday. As a bonus, there is an Offline by Aerie shop.

Finally, there is a fun new attraction in the Dining Terrace near CAVA. The Marvel Adventure Lab is a photo booth that allows you to pose with your favorite Marvel Comics superhero. Or to insert yourself into a page from a comic book. The final product prints out for you to take home. Excelsior!

Amazon Fresh Shady Grove Road update (Photos)

The exterior of the future Amazon Fresh grocery store is nearly complete at the 270 Center on Shady Grove Road. Of course, there's no logo yet. The Friendship Heights location has already opened, but this one remains top secret.