Boutique Office Space Thrives in Dupont Circle       

A Conversation with Stout & Teague at 1400 16th Street, NW

In the bustling landscape of the nation’s capital, where the office market can be a competitive terrain, one property stands out for its success story. Stout & Teague’s 1400 16th Street, NW, spans eight stories and 190,000 square feet in Dupont Circle, the modern office space has become a magnet for higher education and non-profit tenants.

Mollye Schneeberg, director of leasing at Stout & Teague, spoke to ConnectCRE about the DC office market and the story of 1400 16th Street, NW. 

Q: What trend are you seeing in the DC office leasing market right now?  

We are moving towards a “hospitality-centric” office model where top tier amenities that were once a plus are now a requirement.  However, Tenants aren’t just looking for the pristine amenities – they’re looking for spaces with purpose, whether that be common area space to host impromptu meetings or dedicated quiet space that allows for an employee to concentrate and get work done.  

Q: When you talk to office tenants, what are they looking for?  

Tenants are looking for space that checks all the boxes with the most important attributes being conferencing facilities that employ the latest AV/technological needs. Hybrid work is here to stay and this means being able to connect with employees, whether they are on-site or working remotely and operators need to be able to offer a plethora of the latest and greatest IT options.  

Q: Tell us about 1400 16th Street, NW  

It’s a rare gem at the nexus of the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods that’s surrounded by great dining, shops, embassies, and hotels, yet still features great access in and out of the city via 16th Street, NW. We recently opened our stunning fitness and wellness studio and have partnered with FLEX DC to offer tenants instructor-led classes several times a week. To complement the fitness aspect, we built brand new locker rooms complete with state of the art restrooms, individual secure lockers, showers with spa-grade finishes, and towel service. Additionally, we are about to begin construction on a gender-neutral restroom with a shower. This initiative was a direct result from listening to a then prospective tenant’s feedback on what was needed in the workplace. We continue to support initiatives like this as a direct result of our ongoing interactions with prospective and existing groups.  

Q: What amenities or features make this building stand out from others in the area?  

The outdoor courtyard- really a private park- with a lush rose garden and brand new tables, chairs and umbrellas for another type of gathering space. It’s a rare oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of DC.   

Q: What types of office tenants currently occupy the building, and how would other companies fit into this community?  

It’s a diverse mix ranging from small law firms, associations, non-profits, universities and private companies. The current universities at the property include Notre Dame, University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and James Madison University. Our conferencing facilities feature full flexibility and can be set up to be classroom space. The 1st floor newly renovated facility can comfortably seat up to 250 people and is equipped with AV/IT needs all current tenants need.  

Q: How is Dupont Circle as a neighborhood for office space?  

I may be biased, but I don’t think any other area compares to Dupont. As hospitality-infused models continue to grow, Dupont serves as a tried and true place to establish a Washington presence in the heart of the city. Dupont hasn’t suffered like downtown has and it continues to be a thriving community with farmers markets, world-class restaurants.