Tech company Virtru partners with JLL to create vibrant DC headquarters

Among the lobbying firms, government agencies and global headquarters occupying office space in Washington DC, Virtru has established itself in the tech sector as a unique and forward-thinking data security company. In the time since its founding in 2012, Virtru’s steady growth in size and scope inspired the need for a new office that is a true reflection of their mission and values.

Virtru, a company born and bred in DC with a steadfast commitment to empowering organizations to securely share their data, prioritized finding a location for their new workplace that embodied the vibrant spirit of the city and created a strong sense of connection to the community they proudly call home.

Another critical component to their decision to stay and grow in DC was the Vitality Fund. This program, launched in 2023 by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, supports companies in target industries that are actively planning to relocate, expand or retain their workplace location in Washington DC. As the Vitality Fund’s first recipient, Virtru doubled down on its commitment to downtown DC and expects to grow its workforce exponentially over the next five years and beyond.

When you are managing a big project like this, just knowing that we have stable hands is important. This is a world-class space and we wanted a world-class team to help us execute.”

- John Ackerly, Co-Founder and CEO – Virtru

Virtru’s vision started to take shape in partnership with JLL Managing Director Tucker Farman. Farman worked alongside the company’s leadership to understand the importance of location for their employees and the impact it had on drawing their teams back to the downtown office. Over the course of several weeks of searching and analyzing market conditions in the city to find the exact area and building, the team found the right space to begin lease negotiations. Now, situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, their proximity to iconic landmarks like the White House and easy access to transportation makes for a highly desirable location for both employees and clients.

Once location and lease negotiation were settled, Virtru and JLL worked together to create a space that would exemplify the values of Virtru and their place in the cybersecurity industry: the intersection of freedom and control.

To create the right space that reflects the company’s values, Virtru turned again to JLL, enlisting its Project and Development Services team to oversee the fit-out of the space and ensure the project stayed on budget and on schedule. The JLL team partnered with global architecture firm Gensler who led the design of Virtru’s exceptional, functional and thoughtfully designed workplace.

Virtru expressed the need for private and collaborative spaces to allow for seamless teamwork and personal space for focused work. This entailed a considerable mix of large, open and flexible spaces for group gatherings as well as built-in pods and traditional desk spaces for heads-down time. The design of each room within the office has its own personality, allowing for a variety of work styles and preferences.

As one journeys through the office, unique spaces designed to represent the themes of freedom, control and driving positive impact on society carry a distinct identity, with each room named after famous individuals who embody these values. Conference spaces like the Harry S. Truman room, complete with an authentic letter signed by the late president, and a training room named after legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson, also marked by a basketball adorned with his signature, bring out a tangible nod to these respected icons.

Another standout space within the office is the Franklin room, a library and ‘speakeasy’ named after Aretha Franklin whose records adorn the wall. It serves as a hub for quiet conversation and a source for creativity where employees can connect, share ideas and enjoy down-time together.

With a commitment to DC and its rank as one of the nation’s top tech hubs, Virtru also wanted their office space to be a venue for hosting a range of events and gatherings, from holiday parties for employees to cybersecurity summits for peers in the industry. Their goal is for their office to be a welcoming and inclusive environment, where cybersecurity leaders and community members can interact and exchange ideas in an open forum. Virtru's space is now not only an asset for their own teams but a gathering place for external organizations as well. They even opened their doors to DC Public Schools students in tech and allowed others to utilize the space, reinforcing their commitment to DC.

Throughout the process of searching, negotiating and fitting out a new space, JLL’s guidance and expertise played a pivotal role in ensuring Virtru's continued success. With flexibility, patience and a personalized approach, JLL aligned Virtru's unique needs and vision to find and bring to reality the ideal space for their new office. From coordinating with vendors to handling logistics, JLL took the weight off Virtru's shoulders, allowing them to focus on their core business while trusting in the process.

Today, Virtru's office stands as a testament to their commitment to data security, collaboration and community engagement. It is a place where Virtru employees, leaders in the tech space and DC community members can come together, unlocking the power of data freedom with open standards and a user-first approach. As they continue to grow their workforce and expand their impact, Virtru knows that they are in stable hands with JLL guiding their real estate journey.