Maryland company wants to buy part of Brookside district

First Washington Realty Inc., of Bethesda, Md., has a contract to buy about 130,000 square feet in the Brookside shopping district from BKS Real Estate LLC.

George Gilchrist, manager of BKS Real Estate, said the contract includes most commercial properties north of 63rd Street from Main Street to Wornall Road, including Cosentino’s Market, the Roasterie Cafe and Julian restaurant, but not the Fiddly Fig building.

Much of the shopping district’s real estate south of 63rd is controlled by other owners.

The purchase price was not disclosed. If everything goes as planned, the deal would be completed in May.

“We didn’t have it on the market. They approached us,” Gilchrist said. “We got into discussions and came up with a price that both sides agreed on.”

Gilchrist said he planned to continue as manager of the properties under the new owners, as well as president of the board of the Brookside Community Improvement District.

First Washington officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

According to the First Washington website, it is a privately owned real estate investment, advisory and management company specializing in the acquisition, ownership, financing and management of neighborhood and community shopping centers in densely populated areas.

This story was originally published March 24, 2014 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Maryland company wants to buy part of Brookside district."