DC’s Top Five Best Connected Buildings
The technology industry has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. workforce, with major companies planning to increase staff by at least 6% over the next three years. Companies in DC are no exception. Employment within tech companies rose 2.6% year-over-year in the nation's capital, compared with 0.7% growth for law firms.
Tech firms are snatching up a greater share of DC leases, accounting for 28% of the region's office leasing activity within the first three months of 2017.
To meet the demands of the expanding tech scene, offices have become wired for success, literally. Beyond the appeal of fitness centers and modern employee lounges, tech workers require buildings with modern internet and cellular connectivity. Wired Certification, a global commercial real estate rating system, helps landlords understand, improve and promote their buildings' digital infrastructure. Wired Certification empowers companies to find the best space by identifying offices that are up to par with the increasingly complex telecom requirements for businesses.
Here are five Wired Certified buildings offering best-in-class connectivity to DC's commercial tenants.
1. The Homer Building
Location: Downtown DC
Notable Tenants: TIAA, Mead Johnson & Co., Albright Stonebridge Group
Certifications: Wired Certified Platinum, LEED Gold Certification, Energy Star rated, BOMA 360 Performance Building designation
Description: Built in 1913, The Homer Building is one of the oldest properties in DC’s Golden Triangle Business District. In 1990, its historical lobby and four-story façade were annexed onto a new 460K SF, 12-story building, blending modern development with historic preservation. The new and improved Homer also meets the needs of today’s digital-dependent workforce, and has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate future innovations in technology.
Boasting a roof deck with views of the DC skyline, the architectural landmark is a destination for businesses seeking connectivity-ready office space downtown.
2. 1201 New York Ave. NW
Location: Downtown DC
Notable Tenants: Department of Homeland Security, Accenture and Subject Matter
Certifications: Wired Certified Platinum, LEED Gold Certification
Description: Facing the planned departure of the Department of Homeland Security in 2019, owner Pembroke Real Estate is launching a major renovation of the 13-story, 430K SF office building. Plans include a 13-story glass atrium above the lobby, a 15K SF indoor-outdoor rooftop deck and a 6K SF fitness center. Inward facing floor-to-ceiling glass windows will bring more light into the offices and modernize the lobby. Pembroke agreed to maintain the park in front of the building after adopting it from the National Park Service.
Built in 1989, 1201 New York Ave. NW has already taken steps to keep its communication capacity up to speed. The office is one of only four Platinum Wired Certified buildings in the district. Combined with plans for two stories of flexible workspaces, the building will attract DC's influx of tech workers and young professionals.
3. The Waterview Building
Location: Rosslyn, Virginia
Notable Tenants: Deloitte, Gartner (formerly CEB)
Certifications: Wired Certified Silver
Description: The Waterview is a 24-story, 647K SF trophy office building rising up from the banks of the Potomac. It recently made headlines when it sold to Morgan Stanley Real Estate for $470M, a record-breaking deal for a single building in the DC suburbs. In addition to being part of a riverfront complex that includes the world-class Le Méridien Hotel, an upscale restaurant and three levels of above-ground parking just for tenants, the office is equipped with high-speed, wireless internet and advanced videoconferencing equipment. These services are also complimentary for guests visiting the 15K SF conference center.
4. Metropolitan Square
Location: Downtown DC
Notable Tenants: WeWork
Certifications: Wired Certified Gold, LEED Gold Certification
Description: Co-work while overlooking the White House, the U.S. Treasury and the National Mall. The 12-story, Class-A property is within one block of the Metro Center Station. Tenants at Metropolitan Square also have access to multiple fiber providers offering high-speed internet access, and the building infrastructure has the capability to bring additional service providers into the building to cover future service requirements.
5. The Victor Building
Location: Penn Quarter
Notable Tenants: CBRE, Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Offices, Federation of American Hospitals, Brookfield Office Properties
Certifications: Wired Certified Gold, LEED Gold Certification, BOMA 360 Performance Building Designation, Energy Star Rated
Description: Built in 2000 in DC's historic Penn Quarter, one block from the Gallery Place Metro Station and steps from the Verizon Center, The Victor Building is a Class-A mixed-use complex with 347K SF of office and retail. The building also has a rooftop terrace, tenant-only fitness and conferencing facilities, and monument views.
The best-in-class location is matched by The Victor Building's connectivity infrastructure. Containing multiple business grade internet service options, the office also offers two fiber providers and redundancy options to limit service interruptions.
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