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| |  | The Navy Yard is betting big on its plans to be Philly’s most attractive neighborhood. (Bestbudbrian / Wikimedia Commons) |
| Once solely an industrial and military hub, a $6 billion investment in the neighborhood in South Philly could transform it into the next hotspot for luxury living (and working). You can expect new residential and retail spaces, parking garages, and a waterfront district to be added to the area in the next two decades. | - Historical significance. The Navy Yard is the first naval shipyard in the U.S. and was used to build and repair warships. After the base closed in 1991, the city took over in 1996, setting off years of work reimagining the military site.
- A hub for manufacturing and industry. Its shipbuilding legacy remains today, with millions of dollars recently invested in maritime and military manufacturing. Other industry giants like URBN, the company behind clothing retailers Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, have found a home at the Navy Yard for offices. Just this June, URBN announced plans to expand its operations and add new jobs on-site.
- A new era. After growing from solely a shipyard to an office building complex, the Navy Yard is looking to level up as Philly’s hot new residential area. In April AVE Navy Yard opened its first two new residences, AVE Normandy and AVE Constitution, transforming the former military base into hip apartments.
- Who’s actually living there? While 16,000 people work at the Navy Yard, as of now only 30% of the new units are occupied. That isn’t deterring Navy Yard stakeholders who want to see 4,000 apartments and 13 parking garages on the site.
- What’s the appeal? With the new jobs coming to the site, the short commute to work is one attraction for new residents. The Navy Yard is also in close proximity to FDR Park, the stadiums, and the I-95 and I-76, making it unique for both its car-friendliness and access to public spaces. The Navy Yard has also been hosting regular events for residents, employees, and the wider Philly community, like a Third Thursdays event series. Workers and residents also enjoy a traveling coffee truck to start the day. What’s missing from all of this? Permanent retail spaces to give residents something to do (and draw them in).
- Would you live in the Navy Yard? Let us know what you think makes the perfect Philly neighborhood.
| | | | 🎧 Learn more about this growing Philly neighborhood on today’s episode of City Cast Philly. | | |
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| What Philly's Talking About |
| SEPTA Station To Close for $44 Million Improvements | The L’s 11th Street Station will be closed from Sept. 5, 2026 through Aug. 30, 2027. The transit agency will install two new elevators to make the station ADA-compliant and add new lighting and wayfinding signs while making structural improvements. [NBC10] | | | Was the World Cup a Boon or Bust for Philly’s Economy? | The World Cup has been officially over for three weeks, and we’re starting to tally up how the city did. Hotels and short-term rentals earned more money, but mostly thanks to increased prices rather than increased occupancy. Meanwhile, Philly restaurants and bars report mixed results. [🔒 The Inquirer] | | | Philly School Year Off to a Hot Start, Literally | A quarter of Philly public schools will start the academic year in two weeks without adequate cooling, taking a toll on student health and attendance. Although the school district has plans to modernize its buildings, it can take years for older schools to get necessary upgrades, and cost millions that the district lacks. [Chalkbeat, 📝 City Cast Philly] | | Philly Shows LeBron Some Love | We found your next selfie spot. Check out this new mural of LeBron James outside of this Fairmount sushi restaurant. Let us know where else you’re spotting the basketball legend in the city (and if you catch the man himself in person). [6ABC] | |
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🚴 Do you have fresh ideas to make biking safer in your neighborhood? Philly Bike Action is accepting applications to fund locally-led projects. Applications close Oct. 2. |
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