A 30-by-60-foot American flag was raised by crane to mark the completion of the first phase of the $650 million AVE Hamilton Green multi-use project in downtown White Plains on the site of the former White Plains Mall. The project is being undertaken by the Cappelli Organization, RXR and Korman Communities.
“The Cappelli Organization is excited to join our development partners and our partners from the City of White Plains and Westchester County in celebrating the redevelopment of this important property in the heart of downtown,” said Louis R. Cappelli, President of the Cappelli Organization. “A previous developer began work on this project seven years ago and we joined three years ago. We are very proud today as we celebrate a significant milestone in this great new development.”
Cappelli thanked White Plains city officials and Westchester County officials for their cooperation in quickly resolving issues that arose in the early stages of the project.
“This is absolutely not possible without the cooperation of the community and local authorities,” said Cappelli. “From day one, from the first groundbreaking, we encountered so many ‘problems’ in the construction of this project, and how could it not be when you’re trying to do something as complex as this. Every single one of them, especially at the county and city level, was solved intelligently, quickly and to the satisfaction of both parties.”
Joseph Graziose, RXR’s executive vice president of development services, said, “Our vision for this site is becoming a reality: a state-of-the-art, mixed-use, transit-oriented and recreation-focused residential complex.”
Graziose called AVE Hamilton Green a true example of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together to reimagine a city’s downtown.
“Locations like this are pedestrian-friendly, conveniently located and offer the vibrancy of a New York City neighborhood without the cost of living in New York City,” Graziose said.
AVE Hamilton Green is scheduled for completion in phases in 2024 and 2025. It consists of two residential buildings: 25 Cottage, a 12-story, 170-unit building, and 5 Cottage, a 26-story, 307-unit tower. AVE Hamilton Green includes 559-space underground parking, 55,000 square feet of open space, and 39,000 square feet of commercial space. There is a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including two-story lofts and penthouse apartments. There will be some furnished apartments with flexible rental options for stays of 30 days or longer. Phase II of the development includes the construction of 390 additional residential units, 405 additional parking spaces, and 45,000 square feet of commercial space. Pre-leasing of AVE Hamilton Green’s apartments is underway.
The apartments in the complex feature: floor-to-ceiling windows with state-of-the-art viewing glass, stainless steel appliances, soft-close wood cabinets, quartz countertops and backsplashes, walk-in closets and wood-look vinyl plank flooring.
Community amenities include: co-working areas with high-speed WiFi, fitness center with dedicated studio space, a spa with private massage and infrared sauna rooms, a golf simulator, TV and gaming lounges, an indoor pool, a courtyard with grilling stations, a pet spa and indoor run, and a one-acre landscaped plaza.
“AVE Hamilton Green is a momentous occasion for Korman Communities as the organization returns to Westchester County for the first time in over a decade,” said Bradley Korman, co-CEO of Korman Communities. He praised the workers who built the project for their dedication and craftsmanship, as well as Cappelli and Graziose.
State Senator Pete Harckham, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Protection, also spoke at the topping-out ceremony. Cappelli noted that the state’s brownfield rehabilitation program is critical to ensuring an environmentally sustainable construction site. Harckham said the brownfield rehabilitation program has successfully provided more than $2 billion in tax credits for brownfield rehabilitation, resulting in $17 billion in development investments. Harckham said that as an environmentalist, he supports smart developments like AVE Hamilton Green.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer described AVE Hamilton Green as “a development that appeals to everyone, combining residential units, retail space and restaurants with walkable access to downtown White Plains.”
Westchester County Superintendent Joan McDonald noted that the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency is supporting the project with a $13 million sales tax exemption and a $3.5 million mortgage recording tax exemption.
White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said, “Hamilton Green brings us closer to our goal of energizing the transit district and providing housing, shopping and dining for residents and visitors alike.”
