Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker Secure $370 Million Burlington Headquarters Relocation to Philadelphia

In what state and local officials termed one of the most substantial corporate recruitment victories for the region in recent decades, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced on September 3, 2026, that Fortune 500 retailer Burlington Stores Inc. will relocate its global corporate headquarters to West Philadelphia. The $370 million capital project will establish the company’s administrative base at 3151 Market Street within the expanding Schuylkill Yards commercial innovation district.

The relocation is projected to create at least 2,000 full-time corporate and administrative positions in the city over the next three to five years, with company and economic development officials anticipating an average annual compensation package near $125,000 across executive, merchandising, supply chain, and information technology functions. Burlington will transition from its current suburban campus in Burlington Township, New Jersey, into modern high-density commercial space adjacent to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.

To secure the investment against competitive regional bids, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania assembled a $30 million state incentive package through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), featuring a $20 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant and $10 million from the Pennsylvania First discretionary program. The City of Philadelphia contributed an additional $7 million forgivable loan alongside a $1 million commitment to enroll all relocating employees in the SEPTA Key Advantage program, providing free, unlimited regional rail and transit access to promote public transit usage.

Speaking at an event inside the Schuylkill Yards complex, Governor Shapiro framed the announcement as tangible evidence of Pennsylvania's aggressive approach to interstate economic competitiveness. Shapiro emphasized that coordinated cooperation between executive state agencies and municipal leadership demonstrates that Pennsylvania’s largest metropolis offers top-tier national logistics, academic research pipelines, and commercial connectivity.

Mayor Parker hailed the corporate headquarters arrival as a vital catalyst for Center City and University City revitalization, highlighting that the influx of corporate employees will support downtown restaurants, hospitality vendors, and small service businesses while significantly broadening Philadelphia's municipal wage and business tax base. Company leadership confirmed that interior architectural buildouts will commence immediately, with phased employee onboarding expected to begin as early as late 2028.