Inventa Towers is first Silver Spring building to earn WiredScore Platinum status

Inventa Towers at 1 Inventa Place in downtown Silver Spring has become the first building in town to earn Platinum status from WiredScore. Only seven other properties in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia have achieved Platinum status. Inventa Towers earned a 93 out of 100 score in total, as well as a perfect score for connectivity. Property owner American Real Estate Partners credits the towers' multiple high-speed fiber providers, redundant entry points, protected cabling systems, and mobile-ready infrastructure - designed to ensure continuous uptime and secure, seamless collaboration among workstations - for the achievement.

"Achieving WiredScore Platinum underscores our commitment to creating enduring value for our tenants, clients, and communities by positioning them for the future of business," Paul Schulman, Principal & Chief Operating Officer at American Real Estate Partners, said in a statement this morning. "This is a significant achievement for American Real Estate Partners," John Meko, Vice-President, North America, WiredScore, said. "Their commitment to delivering a tech-first environment means that they are creating a space where tenant experience will be significantly enhanced through solid digital infrastructure. This achievement also highlights how AREP is leveraging technology not just for performance, but to elevate wellness, sustainability, and connectivity as core elements of the modern workplace."

These type of recognitions can be critical in setting an office property apart in a very tough office market like we are experiencing today. AREP deserves credit for maintaining the property - formerly the headquarters of Discovery Communications, which moved its Silver Spring operations to Tennessee - as office towers, rather than taking the easy and profitable way out with a residential conversion or demolition. The building is now positioned to take advantage of future upturns in Montgomery County's moribund economy, if the right people are elected to office in 2026. When we are able to attract high-wage jobs, we must have places ready to put them. It's critical that downtown Silver Spring continue to be a job center as well as a great place to live or dine, and not just a bedroom community as downtown Bethesda is on course to becoming.

Man jumped by gang of 4 robbers in Long Branch area of Silver Spring

We have the Gang of Eight in Congress, but in Long Branch, a man was jumped by the Gang of Four on November 8, 2025. Montgomery County police say the adult male victim was in the 300 block of Domer Avenue at 9:04 PM that night when he was surrounded by four adult male suspects. They proceeded to physically assault the victim, and stole property from him.

Police describe the suspects only as four Hispanic males, ages 20 to 29. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Apartment burglarized in Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary that occurred in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring early Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. The burglary was reported at an apartment building in the 3300 block of Teagarden Circle at 3:02 AM Sunday. That is at the Centre at Silver Spring Apartments. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the unit.

Police called after assault at restaurant in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in downtown Silver Spring on October 27, 2025, after two people reported being victims of an aggravated assault there. The two adult victims were at Matchbox at 919 Ellsworth Drive at Downtown Silver Spring at 4:42 PM, when they were confronted by an adult male suspect. He displayed an unspecified weapon, and assaulted them.

Police describe the suspect only as a Black male, 20-30 years of age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Church burglarized in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary at a church in Silver Spring. The burglary occurred at Clifton Park Baptist Church at 8818 Piney Branch Road during the early morning hours of October 29, 2025. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the building. They determined property had been taken from inside.

Police say they have no descriptions of any suspects at this time. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Cocaine bust at grocery store in Aspen Hill

Another alleged shoplifter was allegedly also in possession of cocaine, Montgomery County police officers found in Aspen Hill late Wednesday afternoon, November 12, 2025. Police were called to the Aspen Hill Shopping Center to investigate a shoplifting incident at the Giant grocery store at 13781 Connecticut Avenue at 5:35 PM Wednesday. The suspect was found to have cocaine on their person. A similar cocaine-shoplifting bust took place last Friday in Wheaton.

Insomnia Cookies update in Silver Spring (Photos)

The window coverings have come down at Insomnia Cookies at 8455 Fenton Street at the Central apartments. It looks like the bakery could be opening any day now. The menu screens are already activated. One gives a tutorial on how to order various counts of cookies. The main selling point here is late night hours.