Capitol Caucus, a coworking space for lobbyists, is filling the former SouthState Bank space on the first floor of One James Center. (Jonathan Spiers photos)
Angie Bezik remembers hiding in a closet, whispering into her phone and covering herself with coats to muffle the sound. She was on an important, sensitive call as part of her work as a lobbyist, and there was no way to know if someone could walk in or hear her at any moment.
Angie Bezik
“There’s gotta be a better way,” she recalled thinking at that moment several years ago.
Inspired by her coat closet incident and years of working in hotel rooms and hallways, Bezik and business partner Cindy DiFranco are starting Capitol Caucus, a coworking space exclusive to lobbyists, advocates, nonprofit folks and others who engage with the commonwealth’s government.
Bezik owns Principle Advantage, a government relations firm based in Hampton Roads that she runs with DiFranco, who serves as its government affairs director. Both made careers as lobbyists after working for multiple representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Capitol Caucus, which is set to fill a vacant space beside the lobby of One James Center at 901 E. Cary St., will operate much like any other coworking space, DiFranco said. It’ll have small conference rooms, event spaces and common space.
They plan to employ a full-time concierge and provide mail and phone services. Members will also be able to utilize James Center parking and other spaces within the building.
Renovations are underway in the space beside the One James Center lobby.
Alongside the rise of remote work, DiFranco said legislators — and, therefore, lobbyists — are returning to Richmond more than before and throughout the year, to serve on commissions and due to committee assignments and the like.
And, while Bezik and DiFranco both said they enjoy working from home, they said they also recognized that people often need their own space to take a video call or work with others in person. They want lobbyists to have a place just for themselves, where they can have private conversations and spend time with others in the industry.
Cindy DiFranco
“You’re just not comfortable in a traditional coworking space because they’ve got folks from everywhere,” DiFranco said. “[Lobbying is] one big dysfunctional family, and you kind of want to be around those people and the people that understand, even if you’re on opposite sides of an issue.”
Their 6,400-square-foot space will feature a mezzanine overlooking the main floor, and a bank vault — two structures the duo said were important to them.
“When you work in the lobbying community, you are often [hearing] someone saying, ‘Is this in the vault?’ Meaning, ‘Can I trust you?’” DiFranco said. “So we actually have a bank vault.”
DiFranco didn’t specify a limit on the number of members Capitol Caucus will accommodate, but she said they’ll have 14 private offices available for full-time members and expects a wait list for those to form quickly. Other members can book their own desk on the main floor or mezzanine, and other spaces will be available for reservation online.
The high-rise at 901 E. Cary St. is two blocks from the Virginia State Capitol. (Charlotte Matherly photo)
Bezik and DiFranco said they also hope to eventually hire interns from local universities to aid Capitol Caucus members with research and other tasks.
DiFranco declined to share membership rates but said a discounted annual membership would be available. She said prices would be competitive with other coworking spaces in the area.
Membership may also be in flux, as more lobbyists, advocates and people interacting with state government come to Richmond at different times of the year.
The coworking space is currently under construction, a process managed by the James Center. The target launch is around Labor Day.
Bezik and DiFranco did not disclose the cost of the renovations. The space was previously leased by SouthState Bank, which has since relocated within the James Center.
Capitol Caucus, a coworking space for lobbyists, is filling the former SouthState Bank space on the first floor of One James Center. (Jonathan Spiers photos)
Angie Bezik remembers hiding in a closet, whispering into her phone and covering herself with coats to muffle the sound. She was on an important, sensitive call as part of her work as a lobbyist, and there was no way to know if someone could walk in or hear her at any moment.
Angie Bezik
“There’s gotta be a better way,” she recalled thinking at that moment several years ago.
Inspired by her coat closet incident and years of working in hotel rooms and hallways, Bezik and business partner Cindy DiFranco are starting Capitol Caucus, a coworking space exclusive to lobbyists, advocates, nonprofit folks and others who engage with the commonwealth’s government.
Bezik owns Principle Advantage, a government relations firm based in Hampton Roads that she runs with DiFranco, who serves as its government affairs director. Both made careers as lobbyists after working for multiple representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Capitol Caucus, which is set to fill a vacant space beside the lobby of One James Center at 901 E. Cary St., will operate much like any other coworking space, DiFranco said. It’ll have small conference rooms, event spaces and common space.
They plan to employ a full-time concierge and provide mail and phone services. Members will also be able to utilize James Center parking and other spaces within the building.
Renovations are underway in the space beside the One James Center lobby.
Alongside the rise of remote work, DiFranco said legislators — and, therefore, lobbyists — are returning to Richmond more than before and throughout the year, to serve on commissions and due to committee assignments and the like.
And, while Bezik and DiFranco both said they enjoy working from home, they said they also recognized that people often need their own space to take a video call or work with others in person. They want lobbyists to have a place just for themselves, where they can have private conversations and spend time with others in the industry.
Cindy DiFranco
“You’re just not comfortable in a traditional coworking space because they’ve got folks from everywhere,” DiFranco said. “[Lobbying is] one big dysfunctional family, and you kind of want to be around those people and the people that understand, even if you’re on opposite sides of an issue.”
Their 6,400-square-foot space will feature a mezzanine overlooking the main floor, and a bank vault — two structures the duo said were important to them.
“When you work in the lobbying community, you are often [hearing] someone saying, ‘Is this in the vault?’ Meaning, ‘Can I trust you?’” DiFranco said. “So we actually have a bank vault.”
DiFranco didn’t specify a limit on the number of members Capitol Caucus will accommodate, but she said they’ll have 14 private offices available for full-time members and expects a wait list for those to form quickly. Other members can book their own desk on the main floor or mezzanine, and other spaces will be available for reservation online.
The high-rise at 901 E. Cary St. is two blocks from the Virginia State Capitol. (Charlotte Matherly photo)
Bezik and DiFranco said they also hope to eventually hire interns from local universities to aid Capitol Caucus members with research and other tasks.
DiFranco declined to share membership rates but said a discounted annual membership would be available. She said prices would be competitive with other coworking spaces in the area.
Membership may also be in flux, as more lobbyists, advocates and people interacting with state government come to Richmond at different times of the year.
The coworking space is currently under construction, a process managed by the James Center. The target launch is around Labor Day.
Bezik and DiFranco did not disclose the cost of the renovations. The space was previously leased by SouthState Bank, which has since relocated within the James Center.