WRS, Inc. has confirmed to The MoCoShow that the first three retail tenants have officially signed on for the Lakeforest Redevelopment in Gaithersburg. The initial lineup includes a roughly 140,000SF Home Depot (located between the existing Germantown and Shady Grove locations), a 23,000SF Sprouts grocery store (the county’s second), and a smaller “boutique” 15,000SF Landmark Theatre (also the county’s second), as first reported by Maryland Newsletters.
With those retail commitments in place, WRS will be able to begin construction on a portion of its planned residential component. The retail start unlocks development of some of the approximately 850 rental units that will sit above the retail buildings. Dates for construction are not yet available and will likely begin following the demolition of the Lakeforest building, which also does not have a set date.
The broader redevelopment plan calls for about 1,600 residential units, 750,000SF of employment space, 250,000SF of large-format retail, and 220,000SF of additional commercial space. The report notes that the first phases of retail construction are expected to take place near Montgomery Village Avenue and Lost Knife Road, identified as Block C or D in planning documents (map below).
Schematic development plans outline a wide mix of retail, dining, and service uses throughout the future neighborhood. Block B is conceptually designed to include four standalone restaurants ranging from 6,000 to 10,000SF, an additional 2,750SF restaurant, and several boutique-style shops such as ice cream or yogurt spots, smoothie and baked goods concepts, and small retail focused on jewelry and art. High street retail in the area is expected to feature bath and body products, cosmetics, apparel, footwear, and fitness-focused stores.
Block C is tentatively planned to include a 30,000SF fitness center, a credit union, pizza restaurant, hair salon, and an apparel store. Plans also account for a large home improvement retailer, now confirmed as Home Depot, along with supporting neighborhood services including a dry cleaner, shipping service, massage and chiropractic office, and dental clinic. Two additional large-format retailers, approximately 60,000 and 40,000SF respectively, are also anticipated in future phases.
In November, Montgomery County officials and local leaders held a ceremony marking the start of a new partnership with WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments to relocate and upgrade the Lakeforest Transit Center. Inside the existing mall, demolition work is already underway as crews prepare the long-vacant structure for a full teardown. While interior work continues, an exact date for the complete demolition of the mall building has not yet been announced.
