The effort, led by Ensemble Investments and Mosaic Development Partners, encompasses more than 295 acres and 77 buildings and sets a new nationwide model for sustainable growth.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA | April 22, 2025 Today, Ensemble Investments (Ensemble) and Mosaic Development Partners (Mosaic) announced that a significant portion of the Philadelphia Navy Yard has become officially certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as the largest LEED Neighborhood Development (ND) in the United States, achieving LEED-ND Gold Certification. Philadelphia’s first LEED ND spanning multiple buildings encompasses 295 acres of the Navy Yard containing 39 existing buildings and 38 buildings-to-be developed. The LEED-ND area covers a majority of the Navy Yard land east of Broad Street and includes all of Ensemble’s existing buildings and the approximately 110 acres that Ensemble and Mosaic, in partnership with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), are developing as part of the transformation of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
“Since the redevelopment of the Navy Yard started in the early 2000s, the Navy Yard and its developers have always been at the forefront of sustainability, with 22 LEED Silver, Gold, and Platinum-certified buildings completed or under construction,” said Kate McNamara, Executive Vice President of the Navy Yard for PIDC. “Ensemble and Mosaic’s commitment to making the Navy Yard the largest LEED-ND in the country takes the development to the next level and clearly cements the Navy Yard as the most sustainable neighborhood in Philadelphia and one of the most sustainable in the nation.”
LEED certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement in building and construction. It signifies that a building or project has met stringent criteria for environmental performance, occupant health, and resource efficiency. Developed by the USGBC, LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, providing a framework for creating healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. Unlike other LEED rating systems, which focus primarily on sustainable practices for buildings, LEED for Neighborhood Development is meant to inspire and help create better, more sustainable, well-connected neighborhoods. It looks beyond the scale of buildings to consider entire communities and emphasizes the site selection as well as design and construction elements that bring buildings and infrastructure together into a neighborhood that relates to the landscape and its local and regional context.
“Our commitment to pursuing and achieving the largest LEED-ND development in the country is the culmination of 20 years of sustainable development at the Navy Yard,” said Brian Cohen, Managing Director of Ensemble. “It validates that our existing and future development focuses on creating a
sustainable neighborhood that focuses on the well-being of anyone who walks our sidewalks, enjoys our parks, or lives or works in our buildings.”
Today, the Navy Yard is a thriving, 1,200-acre business community where 150 companies occupy over 7.5 million square feet of office, industrial/manufacturing, and research and development space. Politico has called the Navy Yard, “the coolest shipyard in America,” and many industry observers, including the Urban Land Institute, have recognized the community as a leading model for repurposing military and industrial assets to attract a diverse set of companies and institutions.
“Being part of the largest LEED-ND in the country further validates our decision to establish our Molecular and Genomics Innovation Center at the Navy Yard,” said Ben Pascal, Global Head of the xPRO Program at bioMérieux. “As a fast-growing leader in diagnostic innovation, we compete for top talent and host global industry executives. Our location on a cutting-edge, sustainability-focused campus not only aligns with our mission to create a healthier world but also provides a unique competitive advantage in recruitment and product differentiation.”
In 2022, Ensemble, Mosaic, and PIDC unveiled an ambitious 20-year plan for the Navy Yard to leverage the Navy Yard’s past corporate successes and transform the property into Philadelphia’s newest neighborhood, including residential, office, research & development, advanced manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. Ensemble and Mosaic’s portion of the 2022 plan includes approximately 8,000,000 square feet of LEED-certified buildings, 3 million square feet of which is earmarked for the development of life science facilities, through a strategic partnership with Oxford Properties, a global real estate investor, developer, and manager.
“This is an incredible achievement that is a testament to our collective development focus and long-term commitment to highly sustainable properties and communities,” said Tyler MacDonald, Senior Vice President and Head of US Life Sciences at Oxford Properties. “At Oxford, our support for the innovation and growth of the life science sector in Philadelphia and across the US remains strong. We’re proud to have played a part in Navy Yard becoming one of most sustainable neighborhoods in the US alongside our partners, Ensemble and Mosaic, and look forward to celebrating more milestones to come as we grow this into a world class life science innovation hub with sustainability intentionally at its core.”
This year, the Navy Yard will welcome the first non-military residents in its history with the introduction of AVE Navy Yard, a $285M mixed-use development comprised of a two-building complex including 614 apartments and 25,000 sf of retail, which Ensemble and Mosaic are developing in partnership with Korman Communities. The LEED-ND certification clearly cements the Navy Yard as the most sustainable and forward-thinking neighborhood in the City of Philadelphia.
“At AVE, we empower our residents to Live Better®, and we believe that living better means living sustainably, so we are proud to play a part in this trailblazing neighborhood revitalization, where thoughtful design and LEED-ND Gold certification ensure a healthier, more efficient, and more connected way of life for Philadelphia residents,” said Brad Korman, Co-CEO of Korman Communities. “Our brand new, state-of-the-art residential community will not only offer best-in-class apartment living with contemporary apartments and amenity spaces but also the peace of mind that comes with a home designed for environmental responsibility. By choosing to live here, our residents can enjoy a lifestyle that supports their well-being while contributing to a greener future.”
The effort to achieve LEED-ND by Ensemble and Mosaic ensures that the Navy Yard development will reduce energy and water consumption, provide safe sidewalks and accessible public transit options, promote preservation and adaptive reuse, and focus on the health and wellness of the people who live, work, and visit the Navy Yard. A key element evidencing the commitment to providing a unique and exceptional experience for all is that all existing and planned buildings are within a half-mile walking distance of a park or recreation area, giving the thousands of residents and employees at the Navy Yard access to green space.
“The Philadelphia Navy Yard, in achieving LEED-ND Gold certification, is proof that sustainability and economic growth can work hand-in-hand and offers a glimpse of what green infrastructure can look like,” said Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary. “Buildings constructed with the principals of sustainability are more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, protecting the health of the surrounding environment while also benefiting the bottom line.”
The LEED-ND Gold certification recognizes and certifies that the highest levels of responsible and sustainable development, as well as the successful protection and enhancement of overall health, natural environment, and quality of life, have been reached.
“Although Re:Vision has consulted to help many individual buildings at the Navy Yard achieve a high level of sustainability, the LEED Neighborhood Development work means the commitment to sustainable practices does not end at the building, but it extends to everything in between,” said Scott Kelly, Founding Partner of the Sustainable Design Consultant firm of Re:Vision Architecture. “As more companies and people move to the Navy Yard, this certification provides validation that we are located in a built environment that is healthy, responsible, and vibrant.”
The LEED-ND Process
To achieve LEED-ND Gold certification, Ensemble, Mosaic, and Re:Vision addressed requirements in three categories:
Green Infrastructure & Buildings: This credit category focuses on measures that can reduce the environmental consequences of the construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure. Sustainable building technologies minimize waste and use energy, water, and materials more efficiently than conventional building practices.
Smart Location & Linkage: This credit category focuses on a selection of sites that minimize the adverse environmental effects of new development and avoid contributing to sprawl and its consequences. To reduce the impact of sprawl and create more livable communities, preference is given to locations close to existing town and city centers, sites with good transit access, infill sites, previously developed sites, and sites adjacent to existing developments.
Neighborhood Pattern & Design: This credit category emphasizes the creation of compact, walkable, vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with good connections to nearby communities. These neighborhoods provide many essential advantages to residents, employees, visitors, and the environment.
Benefits of LEED-ND
Unprecedented Scale and Environmental Efficiency: As the most extensive LEED Neighborhood Development in the United States, the Navy Yard sets a new standard for eco-conscious urban design. The site’s sheer size allows for sweeping environmental improvements—cutting energy use, enhancing
air and water quality, and minimizing carbon emissions across a footprint that serves thousands of employees, residents, and visitors. This expansive approach makes it a nationwide model for sustainable growth.
Integrated, High-Value Solutions: The Navy Yard’s design leverages every opportunity to layer sustainability with functionality. Green infrastructure, like rainwater gardens and extensive tree canopies, captures stormwater while beautifying the community. Strategic building placement reduces urban heat and optimizes natural light, creating workspaces that are environmentally sound and enhance productivity and health. This approach generates interlinked benefits that are only possible at a neighborhood scale.
Long-Lasting Impact with Compounding Returns: A development like the Navy Yard produces sustainable returns far beyond typical investments. This LEED-certified infrastructure will continue to reduce operational costs, attract sustainability-minded companies, and add long-term real estate value. By establishing a green blueprint for future urban developments, Ensemble/Mosaic’s work positions Philadelphia as a leader in sustainable urban planning, securing environmental and economic gains that will compound over decades.
About Ensemble/Mosaic
Ensemble/Mosaic is a joint venture between Ensemble Investments, LLC and Mosaic Development Partners JV. The partnership is the exclusive developer of a 109-acre mixed-use development at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, including office, life science, retail, hospitality and the first residential complex to be built in the community. Ensemble/Mosaic, in partnership with PIDC, directed the creation of the 2022 Navy Yard Comprehensive Plan. Ensemble/Mosaic has pledged $1B over 20 years to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring and initiatives.
Ensemble Investments, LLC, established in 1989 and with offices in Long Beach, California, Philadelphia and Phoenix, has successfully invested and developed more than $2 billion in real estate across the United States. Mosaic Development Partners JV is a Philadelphia-based, minority certified (MBE) commercial real estate development firm established in 2008. Mosaic focuses on ground up development and adaptive reuse of land and buildings. For more information, visit http://www.ensemblemosaic.com, www.ensemble.net, and www.mosaicdp.com
About PIDC and the Philadelphia Navy Yard
PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation. Since acquiring the 1,200-acre site from the federal government in 2000, PIDC has been the master developer and site operator of the Navy Yard. PIDC’s mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and facilitate developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia—strongly informs its strategy for the Navy Yard, where the focus is on building a cohesive community that fosters employment, innovation, and production. PIDC manages all aspects of the property’s management and development, including master planning, leasing, property management, infrastructure development, utility operation, and structuring development transactions. For more information, please visit www.pidcphila.com|www.navyyard.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Buchholz
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