WASHINGTON — D.C. has become a hotbed for co-working office space, but a successful startup eventually outgrows the shared space concept.
Moving on to the next level of a startup’s own office space can be both cost and commitment prohibitive. But that is a niche Gould Property Company is trying to address in D.C. with an office space, steppingstone for growing startups.
Gould’s first project is 1725 DeSales Tech Suites, an office building at 1725 DeSales Street NW next to ABC News Washington bureau. The site sits just around the corner from the Mayflower Hotel in Dupont Circle.
The suites come with the benefits of co-working space plus the benefits of private offices, including company signage, but without the baggage of long-term leases or the time it takes to work with a broker to find quality space a startup can afford.
DeSales Tech Suites includes a “sign a lease today, move in tomorrow” program. The building features state-of-the art workspaces and suites, what it calls an “interior branding program” for businesses, and lease terms of a minimum of two years.
Rent is $9,000 to $10,000 per month, utilities included for a branded suite large enough for 17 to 30 employees. The suites include private conference rooms, kitchens and team huddle rooms.
Gould Property Company plans to take the shorter-term, ready-to-lease model to other buildings in the region.
Other office-sharing players include newcomers WeWork and MakeOffices. Regus and Carr Workplaces offer more formal spaces.
