Breaking the sound barrier and traveling to the moon was just the beginning

Retired Army Major General Jeffrey Schloesser is bullish about the future of on-demand mobility and vertical lift, and he better be. As Executive Vice President of Strategic Pursuits at Bell, he’s continuing a legacy of momentous airborne achievements. As they move into the DC market, they’re entering the future of airborne war fighting with the vertical lift V-280 Valor aircraft. From the window of their new 22,000 square foot office space in Crystal City, Bell can see warfighters at the Pentagon to their left and the Capitol to their right. Proximity and visibility for these innovators was everything when selecting what turned out to be a perfect location for them. Take a look inside their technology-driven space to learn about their workplace mission.

When Bell approached Jeffrey with the idea to open a location in the DC market, he had been doing consulting work for the company for quite some time. He had been leveraging his 34 years of military expertise to help design Bell’s new V-280 Valor aircraft. Jeffrey joined Bell shortly after the proposition and together, they determined that the team needed to be deeply involved in what the U.S. military was seeking—a new way to move troops on a modern battlefield where speed and range are critical. As such, Bell needed to be near its customer—The Pentagon. 

Additional space criteria included:

• Proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• Access to the Metro
• Space large enough to showcase Bell’s work

Through a highly confidential process, JLL’s Michael Blyumin identified space for Bell in Crystal City and negotiated favorable lease terms quickly so that Greg Martinez and JLL’s project management team could get into the space and coordinate the build out of the project. The project included coordination of numerous vendors and an extensive technology component. Michael and Greg were able to complete this highly complex project in record time of less than a year.

Bell’s new DC space boasts a large theater, a V-280 Valor aircraft simulator and an interactive mission board that allows guests to engage in a variety of missions on the aircraft and several virtual reality scenarios. An impressive display center allows Bell to engage with military clients, policy makers, and the media. The space includes typical modern office amenities such as communal areas, conference rooms and a mix of perimeter offices and cubicles. This space is for innovation and collaboration—work that could drive the next generation of transportation for America and the world. With Bell’s new DC office and Jeffrey’s extensive military and aerospace background, the possibilities are endless.