Get some fresh air at DC’s outdoor coworking spaces this fall

As we come upon the end of swamp summer, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) has a new option for those looking to actually head outside.

The BID, DC flexible workspace company WorkChew and Verizon are partnering up to launch a new outdoor workspace option this fall.

Individuals and workplaces can now sign up for a membership with DC Workeries, a new outdoor coworking initiative.

Its first location, at membership club Eaton House on K and 12th Streets NW, is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (and yes, it includes Wi-Fi), with additional spaces on the way.

“We foresee DC Workeries being a flexible workspace for individuals and teams alike to use in community with each other as a break away from the monotony of the home office,” a representative from the BID told Technical.ly. “As businesses adjust their in-office mandates to meet the needs of employees, DC Workeries is here to provide a unique work experience for those non-office workdays.”

The overall idea, per BID, is to provide options to meet the needs of the new remote workforce (which now includes the federal government) and enable people to safely connect outside. It’s also part of a larger “return to work safely” initiative from the District and the BID to help people get out of their houses. After arriving, all members need to do is sit down and get to work.

Companies and individuals can sign up for membership for DC Workeries’ outdoor coworking options.

“Over the past year and a half, we have been committed to helping businesses of all sizes recover and reimagine the way they work with technology,” Verizon VP Mark Tina said in a statement. “Our partnership with the DowntownDC Business Improvement District to provide best-in-class reliable connectivity to this new outdoor work experience is a testament to this commitment.”

The BID is offering free memberships for the first 350 people to join, and the Eaton House location also includes a discount at the nearby Baker’s Daughter cafe. The spaces are open from now through November, although that might be subject to change based on the program’s success.

“We are thrilled to partner with WorkChew and Verizon Business to provide the DowntownDC community with the opportunity to work and meet at some of our inspiring destination hotels and restaurants,” said BID President and CEO Neil Albert in a statement. “After over a year of working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that professionals will welcome the option of outdoor workspace as they return to work in DowntownDC.”