- WHAT
Residential, retail, restaurant, cultural, library, business incubator and other public uses.
- WHEN
First components, including the Rockville Library, began opening in Fall 2006. The Grand Opening and Dedication of Rockville Town Square occurred on July 17, 2007 at 10 a.m.
- WHERE
Bordered by Beall Avenue on the North, East Middle Lane on the South, North Washington Street on the West and Maryland Route 355 on the East.
- SIZE
12.5 acres (Phase I of 60-acre Town Center Master Plan).
- DETAILS
- Approximately 644 total
residences, 15 percent of which are
moderately priced (96 units).
- 185,000 square feet of retail and
restaurants.
- DEVELOPMENT COST
$369.1 million ($267 million private and $102.1 million public funding).
- PUBLIC INVESTORS
City of Rockville, Montgomery County, State of Maryland and United States Government
- PRIVATE INVESTORS
RD Rockville, LLC, Federal Realty Investment Trust.
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Many have already experienced Town Square as they’ve walked the new streets and plaza, enjoyed new restaurants and businesses and visited the new Rockville Library. New residents have already started moving into the 644 residential units. In addition, residents and visitors alike have experienced the convenience and ease now available from three new parking garages in Town Square.
The five-story Rockville Arts and Innovation Center adjacent to the Library has opened its doors with the Rockville Innovation Center, a business incubator operated by the Montgomery County Department of Business and Economic Development. In addition, this building houses the Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts (VisArts) as well as the Rockville Rooftop Terrace, which will soon be available for events to residents and businesses.
The Town Square Plaza is situated strategically in front of the new library between Maryland Avenue and Gibbs Street. It serves as a meeting place and hosts community events and concerts. Even before it was officially unveiled, Rockville Town Square was recognized as ‘best’ in two major categories by the Maryland/DC Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. This past May, Rockville Town Square was awarded “Best Mixed Use Project” and “Best Smart Growth Master Plan.”
Town Square qualified as a “Best Mixed Use Project” because of its incorporation of residential, retail and public facilities. Its integration of smart growth principles such as mass transit and civic uses earned the award for “Best Smart Growth Master Plan.”
Rockville has also been recognized by Money Magazine as number twenty-six in its “Best Places to Live 2006.” Cities are ranked based on a variety of factors including housing, education, quality of life, leisure, culture and other demographics.
This high acclaim undoubtedly stems from the nearly completed Town Square, a bustling area incorporating residential, retail and business. Rockville’s revitalized Town Square truly addresses the Mayor and Council’s vision for a new downtown worthy of Maryland’s third largest city. This 12.5-acre first phase of the project is finally being unveiled in all of its glory.
