By Tim Ryan,
Hey, Innovate Hampton Roads community! If you’ve been tracking the pulse of our region’s entrepreneurial scene, you know Assembly isn’t just a building; it’s the beating heart of creativity and collaboration in Downtown Norfolk. Today, we’re diving into some electrifying news that’s set to supercharge our local innovation ecosystem: Assembly has hit 100% leased in Phase 1, welcomed a wave of new tenants, and is expanding others, all while gearing up for Phase 2. This isn’t just growth—it’s a turbo-boost for entrepreneurs, startups, and remote workers like you, creating more ways to connect, collaborate, and crush your goals right here in Hampton Roads.
Let’s rewind a bit for context. Assembly’s story is pure Hampton Roads grit and vision. Born from the adaptive reuse of three historic department stores—the Fergus Reid Building (1910), Ames & Brownley (1919, later Rice’s), and adjoining structures—this campus transformed dusty retail relics into a 50,000-square-foot powerhouse when Phase 1 launched in 2021. Spearheaded by visionaries like Drew Ungvarsky and his team at Grow, with design magic from Work Program Architects (WPA), Assembly was built to foster a “collective community” where ambitious folks share energy, resources, and inspiration. From its rooftop deck overlooking the Elizabeth River to podcast studios and bike shares, it’s designed for the modern innovator. Over the years, it’s hosted workshops, networking events, and socials that have sparked countless collaborations, proving Hampton Roads can rival any coastal tech hub.
Now, fast-forward to this milestone announcement on September 11, 2025: Assembly is welcoming fresh faces and giving room for established players to level up. Leading the charge is Scend Studio, a creative production powerhouse offering rentals, memberships, and full-service podcasting, video, and photography. Imagine turning your next big idea into polished content without leaving the building—perfect for our podcasters and content creators hustling in the 757.
Then there’s Orbis, a boundary-pushing landscape architecture firm that’s been part of Assembly’s membership since 2021. They’re opening a workshop space for design services, events, and even launching The Orbis Flower Shop for micro-weddings. This expansion means more community programming, blending green innovation with local events that could inspire your next sustainable venture.
On the expansion front, Istoria, the storytelling wizards in marketing, have upsized their space to fuel their growing team. Since day one in 2021, they’ve been elevating brands through strategy, web, photo, and video—now with even more firepower to help Hampton Roads businesses shine globally.
And get this: WPA themselves—the architects who dreamed up Assembly—are expanding their studio. Specializing in resilient designs that boost social, economic, and environmental impact, this move creates fresh collaboration zones for their team of architects, urban designers, and more. It’s meta-innovation at its finest, showing how Assembly’s ecosystem feeds its own growth.
But wait, there’s more brewing. Two additional new tenants are in the works, set for announcement later this year, promising to amplify our thriving talent pool. Meanwhile, existing tenants are making waves: 757 Collab, partnering with NavalX Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, just kicked off their Defense Technology Accelerator—an 11-week bootcamp for early-stage companies eyeing Department of Defense contracts. Mark your calendars for their tech demo week November 3-6. Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC) wrapped up an office reno to spark deeper community ties, while Have a Good Day Studio is evolving with a new Studio + Store across the street at 433 Granby, staying rooted in Assembly’s vibe. And Lynch Mykins’ acquisition by national giant IMEG ramps up engineering prowess across the Southeast.
Drew Ungvarsky, Assembly’s Co-founder and CEO, nails it: “We’re thrilled to welcome our new tenants and celebrate the growth of our existing tenants and members. Our vision in creating Assembly was to build an environment where ambitious companies and individuals would thrive together as a collective community, and it’s exciting to see that vision continue to come to life.”With Phase 1 fully leased, the doors aren’t closing—they’re opening wider via Assembly’s coworking program. For just a membership, you get access to inspiring workspaces, 15,000 square feet of amenities like event spaces and that killer rooftop. It’s tailor-made for freelancers, remote workers, and startups in our Innovate Hampton Roads network, offering the tools to accelerate without the overhead.
Looking ahead, Phase 2 is in planning mode, reviving the historic Sears and Roebuck buildings into an interconnected campus with another 53,000 square feet. Expect more offices, coworking, restaurants, and amenities that will draw even more talent to Norfolk, creating jobs, events, and partnerships that benefit the entire 757.
For you, our Innovate Hampton Roads audience, this means amplified opportunities: stronger networks, defense tech accelerators, creative studios, and a campus that’s evolving with us. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a side hustle, or just seeking inspiration, Assembly’s momentum is your momentum. Ready to plug in? Hit up joinus@assemblynfk.com or check out our events calendar at innovate757.org. Let’s keep building the future of Hampton Roads—together.
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