Solaire Social food hall closes in Silver Spring

The food hall fad continues its epic crashout in lower Montgomery County. The latest victim is in downtown Silver Spring. Solaire Social has shuttered in the ground floor of the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment tower. The food hall was designed as a prominent architectural feature, adding to the awkwardness of the closure. 

I'm not sure if we can blame the Montgomery County Council, and the moribund economy and anti-business environment they've created, as with so many of the other business failures countywide. The Council certainly didn't help matters, but the food hall concept seems to be something County residents just don't want, a sort of overpriced cafeteria. As for Solaire Social, the electricity is still on inside and out, despite the closure. Like Motel 6, they'll leave the light on for you.

Solaire Social food hall opening Friday in Silver Spring

It's now clear which of the two food halls in downtown Silver Spring will open first. Solaire Social, in the ground floor of the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment building at 8200 Dixon Avenue, will officially open this Friday, May 17, 2024. The 13,000-square-foot food hall includes a 40-seat bar, and entertainment stage, and eight food stalls curated by chef and restaurateur Akhtar Nawab of Hospitality HQ.

The launch tenants are Manna Sushi, ShugaxIce, Fire Pit Brazilian Barbecue, Just Chicken, Pau & Sophia's Thai Kitchen, Kati Roll Wala, Soko Butcher & Deli, Soko Oyster, and Kabab-2-Go. "Eat. Drink. Be Social." is the motto behind the food hall's concept, and reflects developer Washington Property Company's vision of turning a formerly-industrial area into a community destination for dining and entertainment.

Photos by Robert Dyer (top), Scott Suchman

Update on Solaire Social food hall in Silver Spring

UPDATED - 2:00 PM:

Construction of the Solaire Social food hall, located in the ground floor of the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment building in downtown Silver Spring, has been ongoing for over a year now. It's finally looking close to opening, with light fixtures in place, and tables and chairs being moved in. Solaire Social will have 11 vendor stalls, including Manna Sushi, ShugaxIce, Fire Pit Brazilian Barbecue, Just Chicken, Pau & Sophia's Thai Kitchen, Kati Roll Wala, Soko Butcher & Deli, Soko Oyster, and Kabab-2-Go. A spokesperson for the food hall advises me that plans for an indoor golf simulator were scrapped long ago. Solaire Social is expected to open in May 2024.

Signage installed at Solaire Social food hall in Silver Spring (Photos)

Additional signage has been installed on the exterior of the future Solaire Social food hall at the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment tower in downtown Silver Spring. "Eat. Drink. Be Social." is joined by a couple of half-circle sculptures to the left of the entranceway. The existing "Solaire Social" signage on top of the one-story extension of the ground floor is now lit at night. Inside, however, there's much left to be done, with not much more than ductwork and some drywall in place at the moment.

Solaire Social food hall construction begins in Silver Spring (Photos)

The Solaire 8200 Dixon apartments opened last November in downtown Silver Spring. But construction is just getting started on the most eagerly-awaited feature of the property, the Solaire Social food hall on the ground floor. Signage has been installed outside, but work is in the earliest stage on the interior fit-out. A liquor license hearing for the food hall is now scheduled for March 16, 2023.

When completed, Solaire Social will feature 11 vendor stalls with different dining concepts. It will also have a Top Golf Swing Suite golf simulator. Solaire Social has been scheduled to open before the end of this spring - we'll see if that is realistic or not in the coming weeks.

Silver Spring construction update: Solaire 8200 Dixon apartments (Photos)

The new titleholder for tallest building in downtown Silver Spring is being delivered by Washington Property Company at 8200 Dixon Avenue. Solaire 8200 Dixon is just about completed on the outside; some units inside are still being completed, and the curved-facade food hall on the ground level is expected to debut early next year. The finished product actually looks better than the renderings, and along with the 26-story height, the fact that it's not jammed amidst other high-rises on all sides helps the design to stand out even more.

According to the website, building tours and some apartment units are now available. However, some renters have reported online that - depending on their unit - their move-in has been delayed from late August to September or October. Those future residents are reportedly receiving hotel and storage accommodations until their unit is ready, if they had already signed a lease with an August move-in expectation. At the same time, the property's official website shows me unit B-11 - a 927 square-foot one-bedroom for $2495 a month - to be available, so it may a unit-by-unit issue.

Silver Spring's tallest building expecting first residents by late August

Construction at the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment tower is in the home stretch, and an announcement from the property reflects that. The building's first residents are now expected to begin moving in by late August 2022. They'll be moving into the tallest building in Silver Spring, at 26 stories. Solaire 8200 Dixon is located at 8200 Dixon Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, and is the latest in the Solaire portfolio by Washington Property Company.

Construction in the home stretch at Silver Spring's new tallest building (Photos)

Let's take a look at the latest progress on what will be the tallest building in Silver Spring, the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartments. The 26-story building will include 403 apartments, and a ground-level food hall. Delivery of the project, which is being developed by the Washington Property Company, is anticipated for mid-2022. It appears to be roughly on-schedule to meet that target.

Solaire 8200 Dixon apartments construction update in Silver Spring (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress on what will be the tallest building in Silver Spring, the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartments. The 26-story building will include 403 apartments, and a ground-level food hall. I'm told that construction on the interior fit-out of the food hall is going to begin soon. Delivery of the project, which is being developed by the Washington Property Company, is anticipated for mid-2022.