About the Brooklyn Navy Yard The Brooklyn Navy Yard, once known as America’s premier shipbuilding facility, is today known for so much more. With such diverse businesses as movie studios, furniture manufacturers, ship repairers, architectural designers, electronics distributors and jewelers, the Brooklyn Navy Yard isn’t just filled with a storied past. It's also filled with a promising future. The Brooklyn Navy Yard at a Glance Founded in 1801 Today a 300-acre industrial park Over 40 buildings 3.5 million square feet of leasable space Over 200 tenants More than 4,500 workers Around-the-clock security patrol 24-hour a day accessibility Secure gate surrounds the facility