The city of Worcester is experiencing a renaissance of activity and energy, and we could not be more excited to be a part of such an important time for New England’s second largest city.

Worcester presents not only a significant city expansion for Doorbell, our Boston-based real estate technology startup, but also an opportunity to work directly with some of the largest stakeholders in the city’s urban revitalization initiative, ranging from local business owners to energized political leaders looking to transform the downtown landscape.

An Energized Downtown

At the heart of Worcester’s $2.6 billion urban revitalization lies its historic downtown, with the iconic Worcester Common, MG2 Group’s Grid District, Mercantile Center, Canal District and Theatre District - a range of collaboration between innovative private development and exciting public initiatives like #Worcester100, a city campaign to bring 100 events to the Common area this year. The convergence of innovative programming and new development is a catalyst for activity that’s moving ahead at full steam.

For Doorbell, The Grid District presents not only an opportunity to transform a community with over 538 apartment units in more than six buildings on Franklin, Portland and Main streets, but also the exciting chance to revamp three entire blocks – more than 6 acres – located in the heart of Worcester into the pulse of downtown. With its iconic and historical residential structures, staple new eateries (including Brew on the Grid and Techni Mediterranean Grille, along with the upcoming Craft Kitchen and Table, Pie and Pint, and Stix Noodle Bar, all of them by acclaimed restaurateur Frank Peace; and renovated common spaces within this new community, The Grid District presents a bold new paradigm in urban living highlighted by community, convenience, and excitement.

We envision an even more vibrant "live, work, and play" community not only within The Grid, but also within greater Worcester, including its bustling local businesses, nine colleges and universities, and 36,000 college students. For us that means creating and fostering a community of young professionals downtown, central to our mission to make living in cities – and the buildings that define those cities – better for all stakeholders. The community events we have curated at The Grid (including community paint nights; midnight Waffle Wednesdays; running clubs; poker nights; a Worcester Video Game and VR Showcase with MassDigi, WPI, and Becker; local food tastings with the Brew, Techni, Pigs & Figs and more) have strengthened the resident experience in The Grid and have brought energy and excitement to downtown Worcester. Our Doorbell software, an app that acts as a community center linking people, events and local services, has boosted this community, allowing Grid residents to share goods and services with neighbors, explore the local businesses that make Worcester so great, as well as keep track of the community happenings right at The Grid and downtown.

A City Built Around Innovation

In addition to Worcester’s thriving culinary scene, the 65 arts and cultural venues – including The Hanover Theatre, the Worcester Art Museum, and the DCU Center – offer a diverse set of immersive experiences that bring even more energy to the downtown district. The cross-collaboration between such cultural organizations has been immense, attracting a range of creative thinkers from all over the region.

Such creative energy has attracted innovators spanning industries such as IT, health care, medical research, education, and financial services. Worcester’s six incubators, such as the Worcester Clean Tech Incubator and the Idea Lab, ample co-working spaces, and nine universities boost the city’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The city’s central location - just an hour or less from Boston, Providence, and Hartford - has attracted innovators and startups from diverse industries - collaborating, creating, and innovating together.

The Heart of New England

Perhaps even more than the rapid growth in Worcester, is the tangible local pride. From the moment we arrived in the city, an amazing team including Mayor Joe Petty, City Manager Ed Augustus, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Murray, Craig Blais of the Worcester Business Development Corporation, MassDigi, Action Worcester!, and the local business community showered us with support. As a mission-driven startup, knowing that we are all working together toward a common purpose has been critical. What we have learned from the community here in Worcester has undoubtedly made our company stronger, and the support has been palpable. The passion for the ‘Woo,’ as the city is affectionately known, has been nothing short of incredible. We find ourselves spreading that Woo passion daily, and with good reason.

We could not be more excited for Worcester’s urban revitalization, and we are thrilled to continue working with the bold thinkers and visionaries making downtown the hub of Worcester and New England. The support we have received for Doorbell by the Worcester community has been nothing short of amazing, and we look forward to seeing more East Coast startups join us in investing in Worcester.

- Ben Pleat, of Cambridge, is the founder and CEO of Doorbell, a real estate services and technology startup based in Boston. Doorbell works with apartment owners to optimize resident experience through curated community events, exclusive building discounts at local businesses, and a resident app linking people, events and local services. Doorbell was founded in 2015 in Cambridge. Prior to that Mr. Pleat established a coding academy TAVtech in Tel Aviv.