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A new assisted living facility debuted on North Street in White Plains Thursday with the ceremonial opening of The Bristal at White Plains, a 152-resident building and landscaped campus that includes 42 residents in its memory care unit.
The teal-carpeted facility in the refurbished St. Agnes Hospital attracted some 250 Bristal residents, businesspersons, elected officials and county VIPs. Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett said the county had worked to advance the project with Long Island-based assisted living developer The Engel Burman Group, helping underwrite $38 million in bonds.
Engel Burman President Jan Burman told the assembled beneath a flawless sky and outsized umbrellas, “The Bristal enables the vibrant, dynamic generation that built this county the opportunity to enjoy their retirement right here. This is a place to nurture the body and the mind. We have the tranquility of the country and we”™re near New York City. When seniors remain in their communities, we all benefit from their wisdom and insights.”
Engel Burman owns seven assisted living facilities on Long Island, plus commercial, residential, nursing and industrial properties.
Former White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino said the project dated to his administration in 2007. “When this started, it looked like an interesting project,” he said. “It turned into a great project for the city of White Plains. As the former St. Agnes, this building took care of the needy. As a completely refurbished building, now it takes care of the elderly. It is a dream come true.”
Delfino accepted an embrace from long-time White Plains resident and new Bristal resident Richard Stout. “I love it,” he said. “The theme of the Bristal is the celebration of life.”
Stout and fellow resident Josie Kulka cut the ceremonial ribbon as county and city officials held it aloft. “Be careful,” someone warned of the oversized scissors used at dedications, “they really cut.”
“The demand is high for this type of facility,” said Nicholas Wolff, broker associate with Rand Realty in White Plains. “This could have been a hospital, offices or a drug treatment center. This was ideal ”“ very exciting.”
The Bristal”™s boutique hotel ambiance is light years from the former hospital decor of St. Agnes and so is the food. Randy Tremble, vice president of Ultimate Care Management, a Long Island-based food service company that handles food for the Bristal, called it  “top shelf.” For doubters, he said, “Please come join us for a meal. See for yourself.” Executive chef is Portuguese native Jaoa Valente.
