Urban Outfitters is expanding operations in Philadelphia and Bucks County that will create at least 1,050 new jobs, retain existing jobs, and build a new facility for its Nuuly brand in Falls Township.
URBN will invest at least $150 million in capital, create 450 jobs at its headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and create an additional 600 jobs at its new, state-of-the-art Nuuly facility in Bucks County. The company will also retain existing positions in Lancaster and Indiana counties.
“URBN’s roots are firmly in Philadelphia, from our beginnings at 43rd and Locust 56 years ago, to our 20-year history here at the Navy Yard. Celebrating this anniversary alongside the opening of Building 16 is a proud moment for our company,” said Richard A. Hayne, Chief Executive Officer, URBN. “Our relationship with the state has been vital to our success, and we look forward to creating more jobs and continuing our investment in Pennsylvania.”
Beyond their initial commitment, URBN may spend more than $50 million in additional capital investments that could further raise the number of new jobs created in the Commonwealth.
Founded in 1970, URBN has grown from one store in West Philadelphia into a global portfolio. Today, the company includes retail brands like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, FP Movement, and Terrain, as well as a rental subscription service, Nuuly, and restaurants and event venues under the Menus & Venues banner.
The company relocated its headquarters from Center City to the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 2006, investing more than $100 million to transform several historic shipyard facilities into offices, meeting spaces, photo studios, a coffee shop, a cafeteria, and a gym for URBN employees. The company’s presence at the Navy Yard has grown from five buildings to fifteen ― including the newly-opened 117,000 square foot Building 16 — and from 500 hundred employees to more than 2,500.
As part of URBN’s commitment to growing in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth extended state level Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) benefits to the company.
“URBN has been a key player in transforming the Philadelphia Navy Yard back into a thriving center for economic activity and we’re proud to support their continued investment in Pennsylvania,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger. “This new investment from the company not only retains critical jobs in Central and Western Pennsylvania, but also serves as an engine for job growth in Philadelphia and Bucks County.”
