Developers break ground on Navy Yard’s new building

Developers broke ground on one of the largest commercial buildings in the city to be constructed outside of Manhattan in decades on Thursday, May 5. Which Brooklyn building holds the title? The Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Dock 72.

According to the mayor’s office, the 675,000-square-foot building will bring $380 million in private investment and 4,000 living wage jobs to the yard upon its completion in late 2017.

“We are, quite literally, doubling down on good jobs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The 4,000 living wage jobs at Dock 72 are a key part of that commitment,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This project is going to help bring ideas, innovators and start-ups to the yard, where they can scale up their businesses, hire more New Yorkers and manufacture their products right here in Brooklyn.”

Construction of the 16-story building is part of the de Blasio administration’s plan to support job growth and multiply the number of modern industrial jobs available in the city. With the addition of this project, the Navy Yard boasts $700 million worth of construction activity underway or in its early stages – with employment from these projects expected to double in the next few years from 7,000 up to 16,000 jobs by 2020.

“This building will be a boon to the modern, industrial ecosystems of both Brooklyn and the entire city, as it supports 4,000 new jobs and the growth of small businesses,” said Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation Chair Hank Gutman. “This is another important milestone in the growth of the Navy Yard.”

Along with bringing significant job growth to the borough, the 300-acre Navy Yard – Dock 72 included – will house new space for manufacturers, and creative and technological companies among others – making it a modern, innovative and commercial hub in Brooklyn.

“Brooklyn is one of America’s best new tech hubs – with the Brooklyn Navy Yard right at the heart of it – and Dock 72 will be a milestone development for the future of our borough,” said Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will this project bring almost $400 million in investment to Brooklyn, but it will create 4,000 good-paying jobs, and improve the lives of countless area residents.”

The development is a collaborative effort between the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, the de Blasio administration, Rudin Development, Boston Properties, Inc. and WeWork, with architecture firm S9 Architecture behind the project’s design.