A Slow Return To Office, New Buildings On The Market And A Revitalized Park: The Latest Happenings In Downtown D.C.

1. As companies across the country continue to push back their plans to return to the office, buildings in Downtown D.C. and throughout the region remained largely empty on the day after Labor Day. 

2. A major consulting firm will be relocating from Bethesda to Downtown D.C. Boston Consulting Group signed a 98K SF lease in April at the Metropolitan Square office building at 655 15th St. NW. This major deal has been considered a bright spot in the downtown office market's otherwise turbulent year. 

3. Hines has tapped JLL to market One Franklin Square. This 639K SF office building stands out in Downtown D.C. thanks to the two pointed towers that rise 90 feet above its top floor. The building is home to The Washington Post, which was slated to complete its return to the office in mid-September but has now pushed that date back to Oct. 18 because of the delta variant's spread. 

4. The DowntownDC Business Improvement District is teaming up with flexible workspace company WorkChew and Verizon to offer D.C. residents a new coworking option this fall. Individuals and workplaces can now sign up for a membership with DC Workeries, which will provide them access to outdoor coworking spaces. The first one will be located at Eaton House on K and 12th streets NW. 

5. The National Children’s Museum reopened to the public this month after being closed for 18 months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The museum and science center will be open Thursdays through Sundays for a morning session from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

6. Franklin Park in Downtown D.C. reopened this month with a slate of new features including new restrooms, green spaces and a children’s garden. Visitors to the renovated park will also be able to experience flexible seating, ADA-accessible seating and advanced lighting. 

7. Cities are looking to coworking spaces as a way to revitalize their downtown areas, and that includes Downtown D.C. In the spring, ​​Miami, New York and D.C. announced partnerships with WeWork to offer discounts to companies bringing people back to the office. The goal is to hopefully bring people back to downtown areas so they can support area shops and restaurants.