Facility Overview

Lot 873 - P1 - Building 10 is a dedicated multi-level underground parking facility situated directly beneath and adjacent to the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center and Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center (Building 10) on the main National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Located at 35a Convent Drive, this subterranean garage serves as one of the primary parking hubs for clinical patients, medical research visitors, and authorized facility staff. The facility features paved underground decks with clearly painted bays, directional wayfinding signage, pedestrian elevator lobbies connecting straight to the clinical hospital concourses, and dedicated patient assistance zones. Due to its underground structure, there is a posted vertical height clearance limit of approximately 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m). Standard passenger sedans, compact crossovers, and standard-sized SUVs can maneuver easily; however, lifted trucks, high-roof conversion vans, and oversized commercial vehicles must utilize designated campus surface lots or oversized visitor staging areas.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned in the heart of the federally operated NIH campus, this parking facility offers unparalleled proximity to crucial medical, academic, and government research centers:

• NIH Clinical Center (Building 10): Direct covered elevator and interior corridor access leads right to outpatient clinics, inpatient admissions, and medical research suites.
• National Library of Medicine (NLM): Located a short 5- to 7-minute walk across campus grounds.
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Directly across Rockville Pike (MD-355), reachable within a 5-minute drive or via the pedestrian underpass at the Medical Center Metro station.
• Suburban Hospital (Johns Hopkins Medicine): Less than one mile west along Old Georgetown Road.
• Downtown Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District: Just 1.5 miles south, featuring hundreds of restaurants, boutique retail stores, and hotels like the Bethesda Marriott and Hyatt Regency.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing Lot 873 requires entering the secure perimeter of the NIH Bethesda campus. Visitors must pass through designated campus security checkpoints—primarily via the NIH Gateway Center off Rockville Pike or the West Drive entrance off Old Georgetown Road (MD-187)—where valid government-issued photo identification and vehicle security checks are performed. Once through the gate, Convent Drive leads straight to the Building 10 clinical entrance and garage ramps. Transit connectivity is exceptional: the Washington Metro Red Line serves the campus via the Medical Center Station, accompanied by Montgomery County Ride On buses and Metrobus routes connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Washington, D.C. Major regional arteries including Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway) and Interstate 270 are less than two miles north, providing smooth regional access.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Direct, climate-controlled elevator connectivity to Building 10 hospital lobbies.
• Dedicated accessible (ADA) parking bays located adjacent to elevator banks.
• Underground weather-protected parking shielded from rain, snow, and summer heat.
• Well-illuminated bays with 24/7 NIH Police patrol and security monitoring.
• Complimentary patient valet services during peak weekday clinical hours.
• Wayfinding color-coded floor levels and clear pedestrian exit routes.
• Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available in select designated bays.

Ideal For

• Clinical research trial participants, outpatients, and visiting families attending the NIH Clinical Center.
• Visiting medical professionals, researchers, and guest lecturers attending conferences at Building 10.
• Official contractors and federal personnel on official business at the NIH Bethesda headquarters.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because the facility is situated inside a federal installation, always allow at least 20 to 30 extra minutes before your scheduled appointment to clear the mandatory vehicle and visitor security inspection. Keep your driver\'s license and vehicle registration readily accessible when arriving at the security gates. Patients receiving clinical care should always have their appointment confirmation on hand, as parking validation or complimentary patient parking passes are routinely provided at clinical reception desks. If driving a vehicle over 6\'8\" or hauling rooftop accessories, follow campus signage to open-air visitor surface lots rather than descending into the underground deck.