Burlington Stores has secured a major foothold in Brooklyn's waterfront revival, signing a 31,717-square-foot retail lease at 25 Navy Street within the Brooklyn Navy Yard's Admirals Row campus. The deal, recorded in city filings Tuesday, positions the discount apparel chain as a tenant in one of the neighborhood's most ambitious mixed-use developments.
The space occupies a two-story building positioned between Sands Street and Flushing Avenue, directly adjacent to the Wegmans-anchored shopping center. Admirals Row itself spans eight acres of what was once a working naval installation, now transformed into a mixed-use destination combining retail, office, and residential components. The location places Burlington Stores alongside anchor tenants like Wegmans, creating a retail ecosystem that serves both local residents and the growing workforce in the Williamsburg and DUMBO corridors.
For Burlington Stores, the move represents expansion into one of Brooklyn's most trafficked retail neighborhoods. The Brooklyn Navy Yard has emerged as a prime commercial destination over the past five years, attracting major retailers seeking locations with walkable access and strong demographics. The Navy Street address sits at the convergence of multiple transit lines and benefits from foot traffic generated by both the shopping center and the residential population in surrounding developments.
The timing reflects confidence in Brooklyn's retail market after pandemic uncertainty. While traditional apparel retailers faced headwinds during lockdowns, Burlington's discount positioning has proven resilient. The chain operates on a model built around value-conscious shoppers, a demographic that remains strong in urban areas with mixed income levels. The 31,717-square-foot lease gives the retailer substantial square footage to stock branded and private-label merchandise across multiple categories.
For Admirals Row developers, the Burlington signing fills a significant gap. The eight-acre campus has been phased over several years, with Wegmans representing the anchor draw. Adding a discount fashion retailer creates complementary retail that captures different shopping occasions and price points. The combination positions the campus to compete with other Brooklyn shopping destinations like Industry City in Sunset Park and the retailers clustering along Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn.
For tenants and residents in the Navy Yard and surrounding neighborhoods, the opening expands shopping convenience. The immediate area includes industrial office conversions, new residential buildings, and existing waterfront attractions. A 31,717-square-foot Burlington provides accessible fashion and basics without requiring trips to Manhattan or established retail strips in other boroughs.
The lease also signals landlord confidence in the Brooklyn Navy Yard's long-term viability as a retail destination. Real estate developers view the Navy Yard as a proven asset with infrastructure improvements, transit access, and stable foot traffic. Each new tenant anchor validates the overall development strategy and justifies further capital investment in both the campus and surrounding properties.
The specific lease terms, including rent figures and tenant improvement allowances, remain undisclosed. However, the transaction size indicates a confident retail environment in the Navy Yard, where rents have climbed steadily as demand for Brooklyn retail space continues to outpace supply in prime locations.