Capital One Bank Cafés

Capital One and LEO A DALY have partnered since 2010, beginning with Capital One’s emergence into the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area retail banking market. LEO A DALY has completed in-line and ground-up branches throughout the region, with projects in the branch program ranging from re-branding interior renovations to new stand-alone branch locations. Building on the successful relationship, the program has extended to branches beyond the D.C. area in Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. More recently, projects have included multiple adaptations of the innovative banking café concept. Working closely with Capital One, we designed a series of comfortable and inviting spaces where customers can access free Wi-Fi, bank electronically, explore financial planning, engage with their community and enjoy coffee and café fare in a relaxed environment.

The Capital One Café in Georgetown, which opened in September 2019, reestablishes the placemaking role of banking with a flagship café. Less a branch than a local social/coworking space, the café offers a cozy environment for neighborhood residents to “stress less, save more and find inspiration in the people around you.” 

The interior design provides a welcoming environment using local materials, furnishings and artwork. Three stories connected by a spiral staircase provide a variety of seating and functional options to support the social and entrepreneurial needs of neighbors. Communal tables and lounge chairs, meeting rooms with digital presentation media, free Wi-Fi with power outlets and video teller ATMs transform the bank into a social hub. The design is in sync with its historic Georgetown surroundings. The interior design makes preservation of the building’s storied 1920s architecture a focal point. Restored brick walls, exposed and repaired wood beam ceilings and repaired historic tile celebrate the building’s history.