Transit-Oriented Development Planned For White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, NY — An office complex a block from the White Plains Metro-North station will become a mixed-use development with residences, offices, retail shops and restaurants. Martin Ginsburg, founder and principal of Ginsburg Development Companies, LLC, announced Wednesday the acquisition of The Westchester Financial Center, a 571,000-square-foot landmark office complex located on a square block between Main Street and Martine Avenue. The property was purchased by entities affiliated with principals of Ginsburg and Robert Martin Company, LLC, the original developer of the property.

The new ownership plans to bring this landmark property up to the highest contemporary standards, according to a spokesperson. Rebranded City Square, the redevelopment project will look to create a synergy with the new City of White Plains Transit District Strategic Plan to transform this Main Street gateway into a new pedestrian-friendly district.

The building, located at 50 Main Street, is a 15-story, 309,000-square foot Class A office building that will be renovated with a new lobby and an entire floor of amenities, including a fitness center, yoga studio, game room, lounge and business center. The café will be renovated and expanded to have indoor and outdoor dining. The lobby will be extended, and new art and sculpture displays will be added to enliven the interiors, a spokesperson said.

The main feature of the complex is a unique 2-acre central court which will feature a variety of attractions including a quarter mile (2,000-step) “walk-around” which will go past landscaped areas, a water feature, sculptures and different types of gathering places, including an outdoor lounge and sun deck.

The garage will also be upgraded with new lighting and signage. The building at 1-11 Martine Avenue, a 14-story, 262,000-square-foot Class A office building, will be converted into a mix of luxury residential apartments and office space, each with its own new lobby and elevator banks.

Westchester Financial Center was built in the mid-1980s by Robert Martin Company as a three-building complex and was sold by Robert Martin Company in 1997. The third building, The Metro, a 124-unit luxury apartment building was purchased separately by Ginsburg in 2017. The complex occupies a full city block, bordered by Main Street, Martine Avenue, Bank Street and South Lexington Avenue.

“I have always admired this important gateway complex and so we are thrilled to be working with Robert Martin Company and its founder Bob Weinberg on this exciting project that will reinvent these iconic buildings as a key component of the new 24 hour live-work-play environment envisioned by the City of White Plains at its gateway and train station,” said Ginsburg. “Given its strategic location, we are confident that City Square will be Westchester County’s premier business address,” he added.

In addition to the significant physical improvements to the property, Ginsburg will market and manage City Square with the high standards that have historically exemplified the company over its more than 50-year history.

“We look forward to working with Martin Ginsburg and the real estate and business communities to add to the positive momentum that has been driving recent demand in the downtown office market. The tenants and office brokers are all very excited about what’s going to be happening at 50 Main and 1-11 Martine. It’s going to be very special,” said Robert Martin Principal Robert Weinberg.

White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said he was pleased to see the development moving forward.

"Projects such as City Square align with the goals of the White Plains Transit District Strategic Plan, including activating the street with retail and restaurants, new residential units, improved pedestrian experience, place making, and proximity to mass transit," he said.

City Square is just a block away from the White Plains Metro-North Station, which just began a $94 million restoration and offers 35-minute express service to Grand Central Station. It is also easily accessible to I-287 and Bronx River Parkway and a short walk to Federal and County courthouses, Galleria mall and the White Plains Transportation Center.

Photo credit: Ginsburg Development Companies.