A tile-breaking ceremony April 9 marked the announcement by Simon Property Group of its plans to make renovations to The Westchester mall in downtown White Plains.
Robert Guerra, vice president of Simon’s northeast office, said the multimillion-dollar renovations were expected to begin in May and finish in early 2016.
- A rendering of The Westchester after renovations.
Inside the mall, Guerra said the company would add seating areas and mobile device charging stations, upgrade the men”™s and women”™s restrooms with new fixtures and lighting, and replace the flooring on retail levels one and two with natural stone tile and install new carpet on retail level three.
Outside, the entrance will be updated. LED lighting will be installed in the parking garages along with changes to vehicle entrances and the valet lobby.
Signs both inside and outside will be improved.
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said in his speech at the ceremony that the mall plays a big part in tourism dollars in the county.
“Retail is 21 percent of our tourism dollars,” Astorino said. “And 350 million new dollars come into Westchester because of retail, and The Westchester is a very big reason why people come to Westchester.”
White Plains Mayor Thomas M. Roach said he appreciates the investment and reinvestment that Simon has made in the city.
“I understand that this is an extremely competitive market,” he said. “The strong players are going to continue to be strong players, but that only happens if you reinvest.”
After the speeches, the three men stood behind a table and each took a hammer to a tile to mark the official groundbreaking of the renovations to come.
Paula Kelliher, area director of marketing for The Westchester, said this is the first time the mall has seen extensive renovations since it opened in 1995.
“I love when I hear people say, ‘Isn”™t this the most beautiful,'” she said. “They”™re going to be really mesmerized once the renovation is complete.”
