Freeman Alexandria

 Workplace meets event space on the Potomac.

Freeman’s Alexandria office is a client-facing hub where national associations — many of them Freeman clients — work, collaborate, and host events. The design transforms a dated riverside office into a dual-purpose environment: a productive day-to-day workplace for employees and a flexible venue for gatherings of 150+ guests. At its heart, a dramatic stair connects two floors, expanding views to the Potomac and anchoring a central hub designed for culture, hospitality, and brand experience.

The Alexandria office is unique within Freeman’s constellation of workplaces. Unlike traditional back-of-house offices, it is designed to welcome clients as daily users and event participants. A central hub, equipped with LED screens and AV, supports everything from informal meetings to large-scale events, while the new stair unites the two floors into one continuous experience.

Hospitality is layered throughout. A public-facing pantry provides coffee by day and serves as a bar during events, backed by a catering-ready employee kitchen. Custom millwork and bookshelves give the office warmth while concealing a hidden door to Freeman’s first “secret room” — a VIP lounge clad in salvaged aluminum extrusions, a nod to the company’s logistics history and sustainability values.

Despite an 80% budget reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project maintained ambition. Freeman opted for economical adjustable desks instead of custom millwork, a choice that proved popular with employees and endures today.

Cara Cragan led design in collaboration with Freeman. The M Group served as architect of record, and Clune Construction as general contractor.