Reflecting on a Landmark Year at the Navy Yard: PIDC’s 2025 Annual Review

by Rachel Hazzard
June 25, 2026

Categories: News,

The Navy Yard continued to build on its momentum in 2025, attracting investment, supporting business growth, and creating opportunities for thousands of Philadelphians. The campus welcomed 10 new businesses and supported six expanding companies, reinforcing its role as a hub for innovation and growth.

As PIDC celebrated 25 years of leading the Navy Yard’s transformation, the campus remained a powerful example of what’s possible through long-term vision, partnership, and innovation. Explore some of the year’s key milestones below and discover the projects, partnerships, and investments that shaped this pivotal year in PIDC’s 2025 Annual Review.

Image of book.

Celebrating 25 Years of Transformation at the Navy Yard

PIDC marked 25 years of transforming the Navy Yard into one of the nation’s most successful mixed-use business campuses. Today, the Navy Yard is home to more than 150 companies and 16,000 employees, representing billions in public and private investment and serving as a national model for innovation-driven growth and public-private partnership.

Image of people.
25th Anniversary Resolution from
City Council President, Kenyatta Johnson. Photo credit: DVI Foto.
Photo of people.
The Phanatic at Family Fest with a birthday cake piñata . Photo credit: DVI Foto.
Image of people.
25th anniversary appreciation night. Photo credit: DVI Foto.

Docuseries

To mark the milestone, PIDC celebrated with community events, stakeholder gatherings, and the release of Legacy & Horizon: 25 Years of Transformation, a documentary series showcasing the people and partnerships that have shaped the Navy Yard’s transformation. As we reflected on 25 years of progress, we also looked ahead to the next chapter of development, investment, and job creation that will continue to drive Philadelphia’s economic future.

Image of book.

Capital Projects

In 2025, PIDC invested $17.8 million across the Navy Yard to strengthen the infrastructure, utilities, and historic fabric that underpin the campus’s next chapter of growth, including:

  • $9.2 million in ongoing electrical grid expansion through the Navy’s dedicated 20MW project
  • $5.3 million across 16 completed utility capital projects, and critical short-term repairs to the Lift Bridge
  • $231,000 DCED grant to support the Broad Street Redesign project
Image of substation.
Utility team works on a Vista Switch in the new electrical substation.
Image of people.
PIDC’s Utility Team at the 26th Street Lift Bridge.
Image of people holding a check
PIDC was awarded a grant from DCED for the redesign of the Broad Street entrance.
Image of book.

Leasing & Development Highlights

Leasing and development activity remained strong across the Navy Yard in 2025, reflecting continued confidence from both global and local businesses. Major updates include:

  • South Korea-based Hanwha Group acquired Philly Shipyard and announced a $5 billion plan to expand and modernize the shipyard, adding thousands of new jobs to Philadelphia
  • Rhoads Industries acquired Pier 6A and launched a $100 million expansion project, including pier rehabilitation and construction of the new 90,000 square-foot Building 57A
  • Moran Towing completed construction of Pier 1 and Pier 1 Park
  • URBN extended its lease at Gatehouse with a $3 million planned renovation and expansion
Hanwha Philly Shipyard welder grinding a brand block. Photo credit: Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
Image of park.
Pier 1 Park at the Navy Yard. Photo credit: Commerce Construction.
Image of iron gate design.
Anchor design outside of Gatehouse. Photo credit: PIDC.
Image of book.

The Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard

The Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard, a partnership with University City District, continued to connect Philadelphia residents to permanent, career-launching jobs at innovative Navy Yard employers through customized, stipend-supported training programs. In 2025, PIDC and the Skills Initiative delivered three training cohorts with Iovance Biotherapeutics, a commercial-scale cell therapy company.

statistic icon

3

Cohorts in 2025

statistic icon

53

Philadelphians Served

statistic icon

$28+

Average Starting Wage

Image of graduates.
Aseptic Manufacturing Training Program graduates. Photo Credit: Ben Tran
Image of students.
Classroom work at The Skills Initiative. Photo credit: PIDC.
Image of book.

Events & Programming

In 2025, the Navy Yard continued to foster a vibrant campus community through a wide range of events and public activations, strengthening connections among campus businesses, employees, and surrounding neighborhoods. From networking gatherings and seasonal celebrations to wellness activities and public programming, these events reinforced the Navy Yard as not only a workplace but a vibrant community.

statistic icon

209

Navy Yard Events

statistic icon

115K

Event Attendees

Image of people.
Navy Yard 5K 2025. Photo credit: Amber Johnston.
Image of bus.
New Navy Yard bus art by King Saladeen. Photo Credit: PIDC

The Navy Yard’s momentum continued to build in 2025, reinforcing its role as a leading destination for business growth, innovation, and community. Explore PIDC’s 2025 Annual Review to discover more highlights from the year.

Seethe Bigger PIcture

The Navy Yard is just one part of PIDC’s work to drive growth, opportunity, and investment across Philadelphia. Explore the full 2025 Annual Review.

Read More