Pleasants Development pitches 376 units at old Nike missile launch site in Gaithersburg

August 14, 2026 - 18:40

A long-vacant piece of Cold War history in Gaithersburg could soon become a large residential community. Pleasants Development has submitted plans to build 376 apartment units on the site of an old Nike missile launch facility, a property that has sat unused for decades. The proposal marks a significant shift for the land, which was once part of the region's defense network during the 1950s and 1960s.

The developer says the project will include a mix of one, two, and three bedroom units, along with open green space and walking paths. Early site plans show the apartments arranged in several mid-rise buildings, with parking tucked underneath and along the edges of the property. The design also calls for a central courtyard and a small playground, aiming to create a neighborhood feel rather than a dense apartment block.

What stands out in this proposal is the emphasis on community input. Pleasants Development has held multiple listening sessions with nearby residents over the past year, and those conversations have shaped the current layout. For example, the original plan had a taller building near the eastern edge, but neighbors worried about shadows on their backyards, so the developer shifted the massing toward the center of the site. They also added a buffer of trees and a fence along the property line after residents raised concerns about noise and privacy.

The old missile site itself is mostly flat, with a few concrete pads and an overgrown access road. No buildings remain standing, which makes the land easier to develop. Still, the history is not lost on the team. The developer has proposed a small interpretive sign near the entrance, explaining the site's role during the Cold War. That idea came directly from a local history group that attended one of the meetings.

The project still needs final approval from the city's planning commission, and a public hearing is expected in the coming months. If approved, construction could begin as early as next spring, with the first residents moving in by late 2027. For now, the developer is focused on refining the details and keeping the conversation open with the community.