Netflix is making a major power move in Washington, D.C., and the timing could not be better. As the lease on its current office space expires this month, the global streaming giant is gearing up to establish a brand new footprint in the heart of the city, signaling a fresh investment in the District and a new era of Hollywood presence in the nation’s capital, Deadline reports.
Recent plans filed with D.C. zoning officials reveal Netflix’s proposal to transform part of the historic Woodward & Lothrop building into a vibrant office and entertainment hub. The vision encompasses more than 14,000 square feet of first-floor space, reimagined as a screening lounge, reception and red-carpet arrival areas, a welcome lobby, coworking sections, and open-plan offices. Additional office space will be located on the second floor, providing the company with a modern, creative home base that offers undeniable visibility right in the downtown corridor.
According to the application submitted on behalf of the building’s owner, Douglas Development, “The location of Netflix on the Property, as proposed, both immediately eliminates a vacant space along these key building frontages and creates a positive effect on Downtown, signaling a new, significant investment and presence in this area and in the District as a whole.” The statement continues, “This investment is an affirmation that the District’s efforts in Downtown are working and more could follow.”
The move comes at a crucial moment for D.C.’s film and media landscape. With the White House theater now demolished, the Newseum long gone, and the recent shutdown of the beloved E Street Cinemas, the city has been missing reliable spaces for advanced screenings, premieres, and intimate industry gatherings. While the Motion Picture Association building remains a premier location, its availability is limited. Netflix’s proposed hub would help fill this gap, bringing new life and creative energy to the city’s entertainment offerings.
Though the new space will not operate as a public venue per se, the design still intentionally connects with the community. Plans note “a potential recessed entry sequence to allow for more extensive interaction with the public realm, particularly during screenings or other similar events.” Windows along the street-facing walls will also “integrate displays and other opportunities for engagement where possible.” And during premieres and special events, the first floor will host “limited screenings, receptions, premieres and other hosted events,” adding a spark of red carpet glamour to downtown D.C.
Douglas Development emphasized the impact of the transformation, writing, “The result will be that a long-vacant retail space will be brought to life by a robust office user that will energize the streetscape, and the entire Downtown, in a unique way at this important intersection.”
Netflix declined to comment on the proposal, but the Washington Business Journal previously noted that the company routinely evaluates its real estate needs as it grows. With its current D.C. lease expiring this November, this upgrade reflects a forward-looking investment that positions Netflix at the center of the city’s cultural and political landscape.
For Black millennials across the DMV who care about arts, culture, tech, and the future of entertainment, this moment is especially meaningful. It’s not just about another company opening an office. It’s about a global creative powerhouse choosing D.C. as a place to build, innovate, premiere new stories, and shape conversations. It’s about revitalizing a historic building and giving it a new purpose. And it’s about expanding the possibilities for storytelling, community, creativity, and culture right in the District.
Netflix positioning itself in the center of downtown D.C. is more than a real estate move. It’s a signal that the future of entertainment has room for Washington, D.C., too.
Cover photo: Netflix Is Looking to Bring New Energy to D.C. With a Bold New Downtown Hub/Photo credit: Douglas Development/UrbanTurf