White Plains to Convert Vacant Lots Into Mixed-Income Apartments

The White Plains Common Council has approved a $48 million plan by the owner of two vacant lots to transform the mostly unused space into a two-building apartment complex aimed at empty nesters and other locals seeking larger, cheaper accommodations within the city.

The proposal came from Hale WP Owner LLC, the combined brainchild of Martin G. Berger, principal of Saber Real Estate Advisors in Armonk, and Johnathan Stein, founding partner at Diversified Realty Advisors in New Jersey. The two have commissioned plans by architectural firm Minno & Wasko that will see the lots at 97-111 Hale Ave. and 100-104 Hale Ave. transformed into seven- and eight-story apartments complete with parking.

Currently, the lots are both paved for parking use, but only one is in operation. The plan would be to construct two separate buildings: 70 apartments on ten floors plus 102 parking spaces in two levels of basement parking in the east building, and an additional 57 apartments over eight floors with 68 parking spots in the west building.

Of the 127 apartments, 36 would be two-bedroom models, while 80 would be one-bedrooms and the remaining 11 would be studio apartments. All would feature two walk-in closets and double vanities in the bathrooms, and several would get their own balconies. Each building would also have shared rooftop space, including decks, a lounge, and a fitness center.

Speaking to the city planning board this past August, project attorney Mark Weingarten touted the benefits of larger apartments than those most recent development projects have focused on: “Empty nesters are looking for the apartment downtown, and they need a larger closet, they need an extra room,” he says. “Larger space is something that’s missing from the market and could help us rent our building.”

The best part? Roughly six percent (13) of the units will be made available at affordable housing rates, for those earning between 60 and 79 percent of the area median income. This should make the complex extra enticing for retirees, empty nesters, and other local residents looking to downsize their costs without being forced out of the area they’ve historically called home.