Morning Consult is moving into a giant new office in 2021 as it plans a hiring burst

It’s a moment when tech companies across the U.S. are considering permanent remote work or otherwise rethinking the office. But some still see the value in investing in a central workplace, even if employees won’t be able to physically gather there for several months.

One of D.C.’s most notable growth companies, Morning Consult, is growing further with a new office space in 2021 that is arriving alongside a hiring burst. The six-year-old data intelligence company has been based in a 15,000-square-foot office in downtown D.C. and recently signed a lease to move into a custom-built space triple in size at the Douglas Development Corporation’s Woodies Building at 1025 F St. NW. A Morning Consult spokesperson didn’t confirm a timeline, but Washington Business Journal reports the company expects to move in by September 2021.

The 50,000-square-foot space will be designed to meet Morning Consult’s needs and will “focus on creating a space that supports engagement, wellness, collaboration and our core values to better our team members’ experience,” the spokesperson told Technical.ly.

The company, which closed a $31 million Series A in the spring, is also planning some big hiring moves — including for its tech team. It has grown twofold in the past year, and is currently at more than 250 employees. Specific hiring projections weren’t shared. Check out local open roles such as DevOps engineer, head of people and director of research science.

And yes, Morning Consult sent its employees home for remote work at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March. To help them adjust, the company offered a one-time stipend for home office upgrades as well as a monthly stipend to cover internet bills, the spokesperson said. In the coming year, it will also offer a “lifestyle spending account” to use for expenses such as fitness or pet care. Employees will likely work from home through at least July 2021, after which they’ll move into the new downtown space.

For its part, Douglas Development calls the Morning Consult move a sign that offices in the District are still valued by local tech companies.

“The growth of tech in Washington, D.C. continues to be a very positive story for the region. Companies value the access to a skilled workforce, ease of commute and the diverse and dynamic lifestyle that D.C. offers. Morning Consult’s long term commitment is just further evidence of this sentiment,” said Principal Norman Jemal in a statement, “and we are ecstatic to partner with them so they can continue to double down in their efforts to grow their workforce here in the nation’s capital.”