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"In October 1915, at the dawn of the automobile era, Lewis Reed opened his Dodge dealership on Rockville Pike – less than one year after the first Dodge automobile rolled off the assembly line. Since then, the business that Lewis Reed founded grew and transformed from a small-scale garage and dealership into one of the largest and most recognized commercial enterprises on Rockville Pike. It is a family business history that parallels the evolution of the American automobile industry itself. Now, Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro pays homage to this history by celebrating the golden age of the automobile with commemorative art on the former site of the iconic Reed Brothers Dodge dealership."
CEO and Principal Sabine Roy of SR/A Interior Architecture and Design of Bethesda was commissioned by The Bainbridge Companies to design the interior of the new development that would be built on the former site of Reed Brothers Dodge. The firm has a solid reputation for incorporating the history of a site in its design for new spaces.
SR/A Interior Design incorporated historical elements into the decoration of the building which carries out a common theme of dealership history and automobiles, with components such as large paintings, historical photographs, artifacts, graphics, distinctive automobile-themed accessories and other architectural materials to pay homage to the site's history. The automobile theme permeates the new building, including vintage photographs taken by Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers, along with 3-dimensional memorabilia (steering wheels, hubcaps, headlamps, etc.) attached to a wall montage in the leasing office. SR/A's use of historically referenced materials and detailing grants the entire project its unique character, strengthening the community’s ties with the past.
Alongside SR/A's design initiatives, Josh Wooldridge, Senior Development Director of The Bainbridge Companies incorporated automobile-related themes to public spaces: ACCELERATE fitness center, REV fitness space and gym, FLUID swimming pool, PARK in-building garage parking, THE TRUNK storage spaces, and WHEEL WELL bike storage. Floor plans were named after Dodge automobiles (see image at right)
Reed Brothers historical images were used as artwork within the Leasing Closing Room, the Leasing Office, and the Leasing Office Wall Mural. Other more generic historical images were used in the corridors and other areas. SR/A incorporated accessories based on the automobile and whatever vintage parts they could find and use. "It’ll be great fun and a profound homage to the previous occupants and history of the land," said Sabine Roy, CEO of SR/A Interior Architecture and Design.
At left: SR/A Interior Architecture + Design of Bethesda installed distinctive automobile-inspired decor at Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro. The interior of the building carries out a common theme of Reed Brothers Dodge history and automobiles.
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Extracted from (PRWEB) Press Release October 24, 2016: “Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro Wins Best Lease-Up Pace Award from Delta Associates”
The Bainbridge Companies also wanted automobile theming throughout the grounds. To accomplish this, they hired Artist Circle Fine Art consultants to find a sculptor who could design something modern and abstract, while still using the automotive theme. Artist sculptor Tj Aitken presented many alternatives after studying the Dodge line and history of the former Reed Brothers Dodge site.
"Light Dodger" (pictured above) was chosen for the main sculpture, but Bainbridge representatives said Aitken's design for the Hemi Piston Street Lamps (at right) were just "too cool," and had to be included.
Once the Light Dodger sculpture and the Hemi Piston Street Lamps were selected, Tj worked with BUCH Construction of Maryland and STUDIO39 Landscape Architects in Alexandria, VA to solidify the designs, placements, and details of construction footings. The artwork was fabricated at Tj's studio in Holland, Michigan and transported in sections to Rockville.
Sculpture on a trailer bound for Rockville, August 4, 2015
"Light Dodger" Sculpture
The parabola behind the 2-foot lens is made from Dodge rear view mirrors. Exposed glass aggregate in the polished surfaces came from Dodge auto windows.
Self-portrait of sculptor Tj Aitken in Dodge rear view mirrors
“Light Dodger” is a large concrete sculpture which melds the design of two classic lamp and fender designs from the Dodge line back-to-back into one standing form. Aficionados will recognize the 1939 Dodge car and the 1957 Dodge pickup in the sculpture which was constructed in concrete.
The piece stands 20 feet high and features stained glass lens components over six feet in diameter. The sculpture sits prominently at the main entrance to the development and can be seen from some distance, especially at night. It serves as a key landmark at the entrance to the Shady Grove Metro Station.
Hemi Piston Street Lamps
Based on the famous Hemi piston engines by the Dodge Brothers, these walkway lamps stand 8.5 feet high. The glass globes are re-purposed from an old manufacturing plant in Michigan and constructed from glass one half-inch thick encircled by aluminum rings. Hand-built in the studio by Tj, they are heavy duty constructions for outdoor light.
The glass globes are re-purposed from an old factory in Michigan
First Lighting, 2015
Photographs from the first lighting of "Light Dodger" on location, August 6, 2015, at the Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro Apartments. At dusk, the lights come on and the 1939 Dodge side begins to glow from the marine LEDs embedded in the surface.
2015 would have marked the 100th anniversary of Reed Brothers Dodge.
In 2025, the Bainbridge Apartments were acquired by Bozzuto Management, and the building was re-christened "The Reed" as an additional homage to the history of the site. All interiors and outdoor sculpture elements were retained. Pictured: signage on the corner and entrance to the building, taken by Barry Gartner in April, 2025.
When Lewis Reed opened his Dodge dealership in 1915, he couldn't have known he was starting a family tradition that would be carried out for 97 years and three generations.
He set an outstanding example for his family and his community through his success, but more importantly through his forthright commitment to the people he served through the decades.
Continuing the Legacy
Jeanne Gartner, third-generation owner of Reed Brothers Dodge and granddaughter of founder Lewis Reed, began blogging about the remarkable history of her family's company in 2012. Her blog, “Reed Brothers Dodge History 1915 - 2012,” is a treasure trove of local history and nostalgic photography. More information on all the history featured on this site can be found there.
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