Esplanade in White Plains to Become Residential Tower
Situated across from the vacant former Border’s Books store in the Pavilion shopping center, which is scheduled for demolition and the construction of two residential towers as part of a $275 million project, the Esplanade residence and hotel in White Plains, has also been slated for a complete renovation.
The proposed development project, made public at the White Plains Common Council work session last week, would bring the existing building into context with other projects in various stages of development in the immediate area. The plan is to take the existing building and re-adapt it to create a full service apartment tower to include studios, one- and two-bedroom rental units with 146 residences in the main tower and 66 in the Annex.
According to the proposed plan, which has been designed by Sullivan Architecture of White Plains, extensive renovations, including replacement of the exterior of the 15-story main building and the installation of energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems, windows and doors would be made.
The Esplanade has been a landmark of White Plains’ recent history, opening some 45 years ago as The White Plains Hotel. For many years, the hotel thrived as a hub for business travelers and social events. To meet the demand, an annex was later added on the south side of Lyon Place and linked to the main building by a pedestrian bridge.
As the hotel market in Westchester evolved, the property was acquired in the late 1990s by an investment group and renamed The Esplanade. The main building then became a residence for seniors while the Annex remained as a hotel.
According to the building’s owners, in recent years the building’s outmoded mechanical infrastructure has become increasingly problematic and engineering studies revealed that a piecemeal approach to bringing the building up to modern standards was impractical. They concluded that the only viable option was to totally revamp the entire complex.
To enable a multi-year overhaul requires the building to be vacated and closed. Management has said that its first priority is to assure that the approximately 150 residents are treated with dignity and assisted with appropriate accommodations during this period of transition.
A press release announcing the planned renovation said: “The approval process will provide the time necessary for the residents and their families to explore suitable alternatives. Management recognizes its responsibility to see that the transition is handled with a minimum of stress. The residents and their families have been notified of the redevelopment of the property. It is not expected that construction will begin in the main building requiring residents to move out for at least six months. To assist the senior residents who have not relocated, the Annex will be made available for additional time for residents who require more time to find new residences. The Esplanade management and staff will also work closely with the residents and their families to find housing either at other Esplanade properties or non-Esplanade properties.”
As a residence, The Esplanade provides meals and housekeeping for seniors but is not licensed to provide assisted living care.
