The Mill Expands to Seaford: Revitalizing the Nylon Capital Center

SEAFORD, DE — The Mill, Wilmington’s pioneering coworking community, has officially arrived in Western Sussex County. By opening its newest location within the historic Nylon Capital Center this June, the company has marked a significant milestone both in its own corporate trajectory and in the broader economic revitalization of the region.

Founded in 2016 within Wilmington’s landmark Nemours Building, The Mill was established on the premise that the modern workforce required more than just a desk and a chair. As the freelance economy continues to expand, founder and developer Rob Herrera notes that traditional employment models are shifting.

“The freelancing boom has been way bigger than we even anticipated,” Herrera says. “Today, more than half of the American population are not traditional W-2 employees.”

Competing with the Home Office

The seismic shift toward remote work catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change in how coworking spaces are perceived. For Herrera, the objective has evolved: “We’re not competing with other office space, and we’re not competing with other coworking spaces,” he explains. “We’re competing with something much harder, which is somebody’s home office. We need to be better than your home office.”

That philosophy has proven to be a winning strategy. The Mill’s Concord location, which opened in January 2020 just weeks before the onset of the pandemic, faced a grueling first year. However, the rebound has been staggering. By 2023, occupancy rates surged from the low 20% range to the high 80% range. Today, that site sits at 99% capacity, serving a diverse mix of freelancers and small businesses.

A New Chapter for the Nylon Capital Center

In Seaford, The Mill is serving as a centerpiece for the massive transformation of the Nylon Capital Center. Once the largest shopping destination on the Delmarva Peninsula, the site is being reimagined as a thriving mixed-use complex by Herrera’s own 9th Street Development Company.

“I am incredibly passionate about placemaking,” Herrera says. “I don’t think there has been a bigger placemaking project on this side of the canal in years.”

The Seaford site is purposefully engineered to provide professional-grade infrastructure in a region that has historically struggled with reliable connectivity. The facility features 23 private offices, professional conference rooms, and dual gig-speed internet lines—a vital upgrade for residents tired of risking critical client calls or interviews on spotty home connections.

Building a Local Hub

The expansion is already gaining traction. With early tenants like the tech-focused Zip Code Wilmington and the Laurel-based agency Traveldebi, the space is quickly positioning itself as a central hub for training, professional networking, and opportunity.

As Western Sussex County continues to grow, local leaders hope that the coworking space in Seaford will foster a more collaborative environment for remote workers and entrepreneurs alike.

For those interested in joining the community or touring the new facility, more information is available at The Mill’s website.

Related: Your Guide to Sensory-Friendly Activities Around Delaware