In Alexandria, A New Development Combines Coworking With Wellness
The Washington, D.C., area has more than 80 coworking spaces totaling 2.3M SF, and that number is only expected to grow. With so many shared offices on the horizon, new facilities will need to offer more than just desks and conference rooms to attract tenants. To succeed, coworking spaces will have to enhance both employee productivity and wellness.
A new facility currently under development in Old Town Alexandria is aiming to stand out from the pack by doing just that. The Loop at 215 is a mixed-use property from Braddock Commercial Real Estate Solutions that will offer a combination of workspaces and unique wellness-focused amenities, like an outdoor gym and a sauna with a cold-plunge bath.
“Business and property owners have discovered the efficiency and flexibility of coworking spaces, but we wanted to design something that offers more,” Braddock principal Christopher Campagna said. “At The Loop, companies can give their employees access to both high-end office space and amenities that focus on promoting a healthy work-life balance.”
The new 10K SF complex at 215 North Payne St. will feature fully furnished coworking spaces operated by 25N, including open work areas, dedicated offices, meeting rooms, a kitchen, a lounge, a podcasting studio and outdoor work cabanas. Other wellness amenities at The Loop include an indoor gym, fitness coaches and a rotating selection of fresh juices and nutritious food options that 25N members can enjoy on the patio.
Wellness is more than just a gimmick — it can help boost employee retention, productivity and even save money. The Harvard Business Review estimated that for every dollar invested in employee wellness, companies can see an average of $6 in healthcare savings. Also, in a survey of more than 1,200 full-time employees at companies with at least 3,000 workers, researchers found that engagement in wellness programs was linked to greater employee retention. Wellness initiatives have also been shown to enhance employee performance.
“Wellness should be an integral part of every company’s employee retention strategy,” said Adrien Cotton, the owner of Alexandria Wellness, a comprehensive wellness program that will be operating out of The Loop. “This building will offer a community area to host wellness events and workshops and a state-of-the-art fitness studio housing some of the best coaches in Northern Virginia.”
Pizzano Construction, a family-owned, Virginia-based firm, is handling the construction and redevelopment of the space and working alongside Spaces Design Studio of Fredericksburg and Contxure Architecture of Herndon, Virginia. This is one of several collaborations between Braddock and Pizzano, including 1010 North Fairfax St. and 919 Prince St.
“Pizzano Contractors has been an integral team member on the project, a true partner,” Campagna said in a statement. “We trust them implicitly. They’ve delivered on that trust by assisting in site selection, coordinating design to remain within budget and providing premier quality construction.”
The property, located in Alexandria’s historic Parker-Gray district, has been housing local businesses since 1897, including the Alexandria Laundry Co., Southern Dry Cleaning and Chec Soda and Refrigeration. Along with its wellness amenities, The Loop has a leg up over other D.C.-area coworking spaces by offering Alexandria residents the opportunity to access high-quality office space without having to face downtown D.C. traffic.
Campagna added that companies that choose to make their offices in The Loop will have the option to scale up or down easily without having to commit to a long-term lease.
“As technology continues to untether the workforce, the cubicle is becoming a thing of the past,” Campagna said. “The Loop is designed to unlock the potential of the individual, the business and the community.”
This feature was produced in collaboration between Bisnow Branded Content and Pizzano Contractors. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
