Opening of Building 77 Brings Manufacturing, Jobs to Brooklyn Navy Yard

BROOKLYN NAVY YARD – Today, Mayor De Blasio opened the Navy Yard’s Building 77, a major new manufacturing site in Brooklyn, which promises a rebirth of manufacturing—and jobs.

Building 77 is the largest on the 300-acre industrial campus, with one million square feet of manufacturing space. The 16-story building was renovated from its origins as a WWII-era storage facility for $185 million.

Hoping to bring in 3,000 new jobs, the opening of Building 77 is a major part of a billion-dollar investment in the city-owned Navy Yard, aiming for two million square feet of space and 10,000 jobs by 2020.

“As a major driver of quality middle-class jobs, investing in and expanding manufacturing space is key to growing and diversifying our economy and boosting wages,” said Mayor De Blasio, “As we re-open this historic building we re-imagine New York’s future.”

The newly renovated building—which added 50,000 square feet of windows in its upgrade—will include a Food Manufacturing Hub as public gateway to the yard and a gathering point for the businesses and employees. New York standby Russ & Daughters will lease 15,000 square feet of food-making and bring a bagels and lox takeout counter to the site.

So far, 29 tenants have signed leases in Building 77, with nearly finalized deals set to fill 20% more of the space. Companies like Catbird, makers of boutique jewelry, or the SITU architecture and fabrication firm will bring their manufacturing to the site—Lafayette 148 apparel is even moving its entire operation from Soho to Brooklyn.

“Our borough’s proud manufacturing history is seeing a new chapter written at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, attracting makers and innovators creating high-quality local jobs and local products of which we can be proud,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “The opening of Building 77 signals loud and clear that Brooklyn is open for business.”