Netflix Targets High-Profile Washington Move with Event, Screening Hub at Historic Woodward & Lothrop Building

WASHINGTON – Netflix is preparing a major Washington, D.C., expansion with plans to convert about 14,000 square feet of former retail space at the historic Woodward & Lothrop building into a combined office, screening, and event venue, according to filings with the D.C. Zoning Commission and reporting by Deadline. The proposed site at 1025 F Street places the streaming giant in the center of downtown’s commercial core, signaling a visible step-up from its current lobbying office on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The project, submitted by the property owner Douglas Development, would establish a red-carpet-ready showcase for premieres and policy gatherings, underscoring Netflix’s growing footprint in the nation’s capital.

Plans Filed with D.C. Zoning Commission

Documents submitted to city regulators outline a two-level buildout inside the landmark often known locally as the “Woodies” building, a former department store with deep roots near the 11th and F Streets NW corridor. The application describes a highly branded, multi-use facility designed to host both industry-facing and policy-centered events.

Program and Layout

• A screening lounge for premieres and private viewings
• A reception and “red carpet” area for special events
• Co-working and open-plan offices
• Display windows and semi-public interaction zones

The first floor would function as a semi-public interface for screenings and receptions, while the second floor would house primary workspaces. The plans also reference opportunities for “more extensive interaction with the public realm, particularly during screenings or other similar events.”

Strategic Location and Context

The downtown D.C. address positions Netflix within blocks of the Motion Picture Association headquarters and amid a business district still regaining momentum post-pandemic. The move comes amid a broader reshaping of Washington’s media venues, including the removal of the White House Family Theater as part of a $300 million ballroom project in the East Wing, which has reduced the number of secure, high-end screening spaces in the city.

As first reported by Deadline, the shift represents a step-change from Netflix’s lower-profile presence in the capital and aligns the company with a long-standing model used by major studios: hosting policymakers, press, and industry stakeholders in purpose-built environments close to Capitol Hill.

Zoning, Timeline, and Local Impact

To proceed, the project requires a modification to allow office and entertainment uses at the former retail site. The space has remained vacant for years, and the new plan would add regular foot traffic and event activity in a key downtown corridor.

In its filing, Douglas Development said: “This investment is an affirmation that the District’s efforts in Downtown are working and more could follow.”

Local officials are expected to weigh the proposal against alternative uses, with the project framed by supporters as a catalyst for downtown revitalization.

Policy and Industry Backdrop

Netflix maintains a lobbying presence in Washington, as do other major studios and streaming platforms, but the proposed venue would expand its capacity to convene premieres, policy roundtables, and stakeholder events. The company is navigating debates over AI regulation, copyright, antitrust, tax incentives, and FCC rules, areas where proximity and access to decision-makers can be influential.

The initiative surfaces as Netflix’s current D.C. lease expires in November and as the company faces scrutiny from both parties over labor practices, content moderation, and its global growth strategy. According to Deadline, Netflix declined to comment on the new facility; the move has reportedly been in development for months and fits a broader media trend toward branded, experiential spaces as competition in streaming intensifies.

What’s Next

Regulatory review by the D.C. Zoning Commission will shape the timeline for the buildout at 1025 F Street. If approved, the venue is expected to function as a flexible hub capable of hosting premieres one night and policy forums the next, leveraging a prime downtown location.

Conclusion

Netflix’s plan to reanimate a long-vacant retail footprint into a high-visibility D.C. base underscores the company’s strategy to deepen engagement in the capital. With zoning approval pending, the proposed Woodward & Lothrop space would give the streamer a signature venue tailored to screenings, events, and policymaker outreach-an investment poised to influence both downtown recovery and the media-policy conversation in Washington.