by Navy Yard
January 13, 2026
Categories: 25th Anniversary,
Twenty-five years ago, the future of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard hung in the balance. After years of uncertainty, the Shipyard had officially shut its gates on September 26, 1996—bringing the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and leaving behind a vast, silent industrial landscape.
But that changed when PIDC—Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation—acquired control of the Navy Yard on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in 2000. What followed was a long-term vision rooted in public-private partnership, persistence, and possibility. Today, the Navy Yard stands as one of the country’s most successful examples of large-scale, mixed-use redevelopment—home to more than 150 companies across various industries, more than 16,500 employees across educational levels, and billions in investment—and stands as a national model for resiliency as the largest LEED® Neighborhood Development in the United States.
In 2025, PIDC—together with our development team Ensemble/Mosaic—marked the Navy Yard’s 25th anniversary of transformation and impact with a yearlong celebration recognizing its role in driving investment, creating jobs, and attracting businesses across Philadelphia.
Kicking Off the Celebration: City Council Recognition
The anniversary celebration officially kicked off with Philadelphia City Council presenting a resolution honoring PIDC for its leadership in transforming the Navy Yard into a thriving economic hub over the past 25 years. The resolution also designated March 31 through April 6 as Navy Yard Week in Philadelphia, elevating the milestone from a campus celebration to a citywide moment of recognition.
The designation acknowledged the Navy Yard’s impact on Philadelphia’s economy, innovation ecosystem, and job creation—and the public-private collaboration that continues to drive its success.
Engaging the Community: Events Throughout the Year
Family Fest: Happy Birthday to Us!
The celebration continued with Family Fest: Happy Birthday to Us!, a free community celebration honoring 25 years of transformation at the Navy Yard. Held at the award winning Central Green park in June, the event brought families, employees, and neighbors together for an afternoon of food trucks, live music, games, and activities—plus a special appearance by the Phillie Phanatic, who helped make the milestone celebration even more memorable.
Connecting Community & Campus
In the summer, the Navy Yard hosted a fun-filled Quizzo Night packed with trivia all about the campus’s past, present, and future. Guests brought their smartest friends (or luckiest guesses) to compete for prizes, food and drink specials, and bragging rights—while learning interesting facts about the Navy Yard’s 25-year transformation. Hosted by proud Navy Yard tenant DaraMarie Adams from Alchemy X, the night included a special grand prize: throw the first pitch at a Phillies game, four tickets behind home plate, and a tour of Citizens Bank Park.
We also invited the public to explore the Navy Yard in a whole new way with “25 Years, 25 Stops,” a photo scavenger hunt. Participants were challenged to find 25 unique spots across the campus—from historic landmarks and public art to waterfront views and architectural highlights—capturing photos along the way to celebrate the campus’s rich history and vibrant present. Participants could tag their photos for a chance to win an Eat, Play, Stay grand prize package featuring a hotel night, restaurant gift certificate, and Phillies tickets.
Telling the Story: The Navy Yard Documentary
In September, PIDC premiered the documentary “Legacy & Horizon: 25 Years of Transformation.” The film traces the Navy Yard’s journey from a decommissioned military base to a modern, mixed-use campus, highlighting the vision and collaboration behind its redevelopment.
Featuring voices from leaders, partners, and those directly involved in the transformation, the documentary captures the scale of the work—and the long-term commitment required to bring the Navy Yard to life. Watch and share it HERE.
Marking the Moment: The Anniversary Party
On September 25, PIDC brought together government officials, business leaders, development partners, PIDC staff, and community champions for a special evening celebrating the Navy Yard’s 25‑year journey from closed naval base to dynamic economic engine. The party—held at URBN’s headquarters, one of the first businesses to call the Navy Yard home—honored the site’s transformation and featured reflections on the Navy Yard’s past, present, and future, including opening remarks by PIDC leadership and remarks from partners and former leaders. Guests enjoyed historical displays, engaging conversation, and a preview screening of the Navy Yard’s documentary chronicling its comeback. The night concluded with a celebratory toast highlighting the campus’s impact and the exciting next chapter ahead.
Looking Towards the Future
While the 25th anniversary honored the past, it also reinforced the opportunities that lie ahead. With strong partnerships, a focus on economic growth for all, and continued public and private investment, the Navy Yard remains a powerful example of what long-term vision can achieve. As the campus continues to evolve, welcoming residents back for the first time since the Shipyard’s closure further strengthens the Navy Yard as a place to live, work, and play—and a place where Philadelphia’s next chapter is still being written.
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