Comments on Silver Spring's Flower Theatre could bloom once again - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Debbie Cook

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 06:14:58 EDT

Interesting Post Dan, Some serious deep thinking would have to go into this. It would have to be something that would draw people over that way, something that is NOT located in DTSS, that was such a draw that people would go out of their way to go there. It is hard to think of something that would be "successful" in that spot. It would have to be something "different" and "pretty amazing" ?

Comment by Justafed

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:57:50 EDT

Those who are interested in how this might fit in with the redevelopment of the whole neighborhood (Long Branch) might be interested in the county's sector plan:

http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/longbranch/documents/LongBranchHandout2012.pdf

There are going to be some big changes in the area that I expect to accelerate once the Purple Line really does secure federal funding (and will begin even before it is built). Michael above points out that the tenant mix is not very upscale at the moment, but already we saw the landlord across the street apparently hike the rent on the Payless, forcing them (and the import place, too?) to leave; it will be interesting to see what comes in there. I am afraid anybody thinking "bookstore" here has not been keeping up with the reality of that niche. *Maybe* a place like Second Story Books could be convinced to relocate their Rockville warehouse here, but that strikes me as unlikely. Given its extreme proximity to the future Arliss St. purple line station, my best guess is that somebody redevelops the block into apartments/condos over retail, keeping the historic facade. Facadism isn't my favorite approach, but it's easy to see how to make that approach work here. The parking lot for the complex is, of course, easily horrible enough for a Trader Joe's. :-)

Comment by grumpy

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:11:04 EDT

Cinema & Drafthouse? :)

Comment by Sligo

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:28:03 EDT

That seems highly improbable, as it's the second Google result for "Flower Theatre" (and the first for "Flower Theater"), but I'll take your word for it.

Comment by dan reed!

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:12:45 EDT

@Sligo

I'm sorry, when I was doing my research on the Flower Theatre I never found your post, though it's very useful and I encourage anyone reading this post to look at it as well.

I hope I'll see you at the charrette next week!

Comment by Clare Lise Kelly

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:54:35 EDT

Thank you for crediting the Planning Department for the historic exterior photo in your post. The original is located in American University's Shannon & Luchs collection. Best known for their Connecticut Avenue Park & Shop in Cleveland Park, Shannon & Luchs pioneered the park and shop concept. Fred S. Kogod engaged S&L for his Flower Shopping Center, a park and shop which includes the theater. You can find more historic photos and info in our research form posted here:
http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/historic/flowertheatershoppingcenter/documents/1TextFlowerShoppingCenterMIHP12-2011.pdf

Comment by Sligo

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:43:35 EDT

"Interesting that uber-'walkable' Silver Spring has an Art Deco theatre that is languishing"

I take it you are not referring to the Art Deco Theatre in walkable DOWNTOWN Silver Spring, the AFI Silver, which is not languishing at all. The Flower Theatre is not downtown.

Comment by AWalkerInTheCity

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:39:14 EDT

"Interesting that uber-"walkable" Silver Spring has an Art Deco theatre that is languishing while Angelika Film Center has decided to locate its first DC-area screens in the new Mosaic District in Merrifield, where there will be plenty of parking available. Guess they didn't get Dan Reid's memo on what people want these days."

mosaic district is advertising as a new urban walkable district with access to the nearby Dunn Loring Metro station. Seems like someone did not get the memo from Mosaic.

Comment by Dan

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:32:26 EDT

Interesting that uber-"walkable" Silver Spring has an Art Deco theatre that is languishing while Angelika Film Center has decided to locate its first DC-area screens in the new Mosaic District in Merrifield, where there will be plenty of parking available. Guess they didn't get Dan Reid's memo on what people want these days.

Comment by Sligo

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:26:10 EDT

Something about this post seems SO familiar, but I just can't place it. Note that the theater originally had 1,016 seats, not 800.

Comment by davidj

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:45:01 EDT

With a another recession coming very soon, the best thing to do with that space is nothing.

Comment by Michael

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:44:45 EDT

I live right down the street from the Flower and it would be wonderful to be within walking distance to a vibrant community. However, the entire area would need serious investment and redevelopment.

Could it "start" with the theater? Possibly. But I think a serious tenant would want a viable neighborhood where people would want to hangout rather than a business stuck between a laundromat and a liquor store.