The Mill

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

The Mill transforms a historic Wilmington landmark into an amenity-rich coworking destination where flexibility, creativity, and connection shape the workplace experience.

Location

Wilmington, Delaware

Client

Buccini Pollin Group

Expertise

[FPO] Building Transformation [FPO] Adaptive Reuse Office Developers Strategy Technology Hospitality

Opportunity

Expanding within Wilmington’s iconic Nemours Building, The Mill needed to balance contemporary workplace expectations with the preservation of historic character.

As workplace expectations shifted toward greater flexibility, hospitality, and community, The Mill saw an opportunity to expand its coworking model within Wilmington’s historic Nemours Building. The project needed to accommodate a growing and diverse tenant base while preserving the architectural character of one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Beyond adding workspace, the ambition was to create a destination that supports creativity, wellness, and entrepreneurship through thoughtfully integrated amenities, adaptable environments, and experiences that extend beyond the traditional office.

Why This Matters

01
Redefining Workplace Experience
As coworking became increasingly experience-driven, The Mill needed to offer more than workspace, creating amenities and environments that engage and retain users.
02
Preserving Historic Character
Expanding within Wilmington’s landmark Nemours Building required balancing contemporary workplace expectations with respect for the architectural identity that defines the property.
03
Strengthening Downtown Community
By creating a destination for collaboration and events, The Mill helps foster connections among tenants while contributing to downtown Wilmington’s continued vitality.

It’s remarkable to reflect on The Mill’s journey from 13,000 square feet in 2016 to its continued expansion today. We’ve had a front-row seat to some of the state’s most exciting startups and small businesses growing — exactly what I envision for a thriving coworking community with room to evolve.

Solution

Connecting two floors through a dramatic stair and amenity-rich destinations, The Mill transforms a historic office building into a dynamic workplace ecosystem.

The design strategy centered on creating a connected workplace ecosystem that encourages movement, interaction, and community. A striking interconnecting stair links two levels of coworking space, improving visibility and engagement throughout the expanded footprint. Hospitality-inspired amenities, including a flexible event venue, podcast studio, collaborative lounges, and a rooftop terrace, activate the workplace beyond traditional work settings. Careful interventions preserved the historic character of the Nemours Building while transforming underutilized areas into vibrant destinations that support creativity and meaningful connections among users.

From brief to build: transforming a historic office landmark into a connected coworking destination through adaptive reuse, amenity innovation, and strategic design.

Working within the constraints of a historic landmark, the design team identified opportunities to unlock underutilized space while preserving the character of the Nemours Building. Early planning focused on improving connectivity between floors, introducing new amenities, and creating flexible environments that would support focused work and social engagement. Through iterative design studies and strategic value engineering, the team integrated an interconnecting stair, rooftop terrace, event space, and podcast studio without compromising the project’s vision. The result is a highly functional workplace that maximizes impact and long-term value.

From Expansion to Experience

The stair transforms a two-floor expansion into a connected amenity ecosystem, making collaboration and community-building a natural part of the workday.

Impact

The Mill delivers a workplace destination that strengthens community, supports diverse work styles, and redefines coworking in downtown Wilmington.

New amenities, flexible workplaces, and shared gathering spaces transformed The Mill into a vibrant destination that supports connection and community.

What Changed Because of This

01
Workplace Experience
Flexible settings, hospitality-inspired amenities, and an outdoor terrace create a dynamic environment that supports productivity and meaningful social connection.
02
Community Building
Event spaces, collaborative lounges, and a podcast studio strengthen relationships among members, fostering a vibrant workplace culture rooted in engagement.
03
Historic Renewal
Thoughtful interventions transformed underutilized areas into sought-after destinations while preserving the character and legacy of Wilmington’s iconic Nemours Building.

No Information

Recognition

01

BPG

The Mill’s expansion within the Nemours Building was spotlighted for Gensler’s design approach, with an emphasis on flexible workspaces and hospitality-inspired amenities.

02

CoreNet Mid-Atlantic

The Mill was recognized as a finalist in the 2025 CoreNet Mid-Atlantic Workplace Design Awards for projects between 26,000 and 50,000 square feet.

Team

Project Leadership

[FPO] Hilary Zoretic

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[FPO] John Padussis

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[FPO] Holly Shepard

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FAQ

01

Where is The Mill located?

The Mill is located within Wilmington, Delaware’s historic Nemours Building, one of the city’s most recognizable office landmarks.

02

What type of project is The Mill?

The project is a 28,000-square-foot coworking expansion that combines hospitality-inspired amenities and community-focused environments.

03

How does the design support different ways of working?

The workplace offers a variety of settings, including focused workspaces, collaborative lounges, event space, meeting rooms, a podcast studio, and outdoor gathering areas.

04

What is the project’s most distinctive feature?

A dramatic interconnecting stair links two workplace levels, while a rooftop terrace extends the member experience outdoors and encourages social connection.

05

How does the project respect the historic building?

The design introduces contemporary workplace amenities and flexible environments while preserving the architectural character and identity of the Nemours Building.

06

How does The Mill benefit Wilmington’s business community?

By providing flexible workspaces, event venues, and shared amenities, The Mill supports entrepreneurship and professional networking in downtown Wilmington.

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Related Expertise

Building Transformation Adaptive Reuse Office Developers Strategy Technology Hospitality

The Mill transforms a historic Wilmington landmark into an amenity-rich coworking destination where flexibility, creativity, and connection shape the workplace experience.

Expanding within Wilmington’s iconic Nemours Building, The Mill needed to balance contemporary workplace expectations with the preservation of historic character.

Why This Matters

Connecting two floors through a dramatic stair and amenity-rich destinations, The Mill transforms a historic office building into a dynamic workplace ecosystem.

From brief to build: transforming a historic office landmark into a connected coworking destination through adaptive reuse, amenity innovation, and strategic design.

The Mill delivers a workplace destination that strengthens community, supports diverse work styles, and redefines coworking in downtown Wilmington.

What Changed Because of This

Recognition