The Innovate757 Norfolk Office Campus is set to open in a few months, and it’s already 80% leased to local companies and nonprofits. The Assembly office building, a project led by digital creative agency Grow, is located in downtown Norfolk and offers unique amenities such as bike storage and repair area, a podcast studio, and a communal library. The four-story building, which was previously the Ames & Brownley department store, has undergone extensive renovation while retaining elements of its historical past, including a central stairwell built in the space of the original staircase. With its blend of modern and historical features, the Innovate757 Norfolk Office Campus aims to compete with major tech hubs like the West Coast and Austin, Texas in attracting and retaining top talent. The completion of the building was slightly delayed by the pandemic but is now on schedule to be ready for occupancy in mid-April.

Introduction

When the Assembly office building opens in just a few months in downtown Norfolk, it will be almost fully leased with Hampton Roads companies and nonprofits. The four-story building has leased more than 80% of its office space, according to digital creative agency Grow, which has spearheaded the project. Only 5,000 square feet remain available to lease.

Building Features and History

On a cold, windy Tuesday in early February, dozens of construction workers scurried around inside Assembly, working on walls, flooring, and other finishing touches. The building, which was once the Ames & Brownley department store, is anchored by a central stairwell that is built in the space of the original staircase. Natural light floods through the building from a top-floor skylight. Along with the stairwell, the building will feature other nods to its past. A back stairway features part of a mural from when the building was Rice’s Fashion Corner. Finally, the building’s largest boardroom will feature pieces of the former department store’s fur vault, including the vault door.

Tenants and Amenities

The four-story office building is one of three sandwiched into a block of Freemason Street between Granby Street and Monticello Avenue. During the second phase of the Assembly project, the remaining buildings will be renovated and become commercial office space after Norfolk moves its city office — which currently occupies the space — in 2023. Assembly has scooped up several new office tenants in the past few months, including Lynch Mykins, RISE, Istoria, and others. Peppered among the offices and common areas at Assembly are the beginnings of some unique office space amenities, such as a bike storage and repair area, a podcast studio, and a communal library.

Future Plans and Impact of Pandemic

All of the quirky perks have a place in Ungvarsky’s vision — he sees them as recruitment and retention tools as Grow competes with the office spaces of the West Coast and Austin, Texas, tech giants. The coronavirus pandemic has had a minimal impact on the project and probably only delayed construction by a few months, Ungvarsky said. The building is scheduled to be ready for tenants in mid-April. The Assembly project was announced in March 2019 when Grow offered to buy and renovate the building from Norfolk, which was using the space for city offices.

Contact Information

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@insidebiz.com

Question & Answer

1. What percentage of the Innovate757 Norfolk Office Campus is already leased?

80% of the office space at the Innovate757 Norfolk Office Campus is already leased to local companies and nonprofits.

2. What unique amenities does the Assembly office building offer?

The Assembly office building offers amenities such as a bike storage and repair area, a podcast studio, and a communal library.

3. What historical elements have been retained in the renovation of the Assembly office building?

The building retains historical elements such as a central stairwell built in the space of the original staircase and pieces of the former department store’s fur vault in the largest boardroom.

4. When is the Innovate757 Norfolk Office Campus scheduled to be ready for occupancy?

The completion of the building was slightly delayed by the pandemic, but it is now on schedule to be ready for occupancy in mid-April.