The 300-acres of Brooklyn Navy Yard were established in 1801 and functioned as the facility for the U.S. navy to build ships, particularly during World War II. In 1966, Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense at the time, closed the Yard and sold it to the City of New York. Since the early 2000s, the City has been expanding the Yard, implementing infrastructure upgrades and sustainability initiatives. Over the years the City has leased the property to an array of small and mid-sized businesses, the film studio, Steiner Studios, and Building 92 which is a visitor and employment center to attract new tenants to the Yard.[1] Last year, the Yard announced they were “continuing its biggest expansion since WWII, with some $700 million in new development in progress … employment at the Yard will more than double in the next few years, jumping from 7,000 to 17,000+ by 2020.”[2]

At the end of 2017, Steiner NYC filed permits to develop a nine-story, mixed-use building at 399 Sands Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard. The renderings for the new development, designed by Dattner Architects, reveals a 230,000 square foot concrete building with greenery on the roof. The building will include four floors creating 430 car parking spaces adjacent to Wegmans Supermarket, three floors designated for manufacturing space and the top floor will be available as creative office space.

On June 13, 2018, Alicia Glen, the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and Steiner NYC announced they were breaking ground on construction. The City of New York is investing $40 million in 399 Sands Street, through the City’s New York Works Program. The new development is expected create 700 to 1,000 permanent middle class jobs.[3] Glen announced: “New York City grew up around the Brooklyn Navy Yard – and thanks to the City’s $40 million New York Works investment in 399 Sands Street, the Yard will continue to fuel growth, and provide manufacturing and creative jobs for generations to come”.[4]

The City is investing in manufacturing and creative industries to spur job growth for the future, which will also incentivize greater development throughout New York City. Council Member Stephen Levin explained that “We are returning to the legacy of an economic and innovation engine whose heart beats in Brooklyn, but supports communities around the City. This latest investment will fuel the continued job growth that supports local businesses and empowers workers to provide for themselves, their families, and their community.”[5] In addition to 399 Sands Street, $100 million has been invested in Building 77 at the Yard to convert the site into 1 million square feet of manufacturing space, which the City anticipates will create 3,000 jobs.[6]

399 Sands Street is expected to be completed by 2021.

[1] Brooklyn Navy Yard. “History of the Yard.” Brooklyn Navy Yard. Available at: https://brooklynnavyyard.org/about/history. Accessed on June 20, 2018.

[2] Ib.

[3] NYC. (June 13, 2018) “De Blasio Administration, Brooklyn Navy Yard and Steiner NYC Break Ground at 399 Sands Street, City Invests $40 Million in Manufacturing Jobs.” NYC. Available at: https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/294-18/de-blasio-administration-brooklyn-navy-yard-steiner-nyc-break-ground-399-sands-street-city. Accessed on June 20, 2018.

[4] Ib.

[5] Ib.

[6] Ib.