Fortunoff Retail Center | White Plains, NY
Projects
Fortunoff Retail Center
Following an extensive search for a suitable Westchester location, Fortunoff selected an underutilized 6-acre site in the heart of the retail district of White Plains opposite Neiman Marcus and The Westchester Mall. Its next challenge was to complete the design, approvals and construction of the new 265,000 square foot center in time for the Christmas shopping season. The 4-story complex with 1,050 structured parking spaces opened on schedule in September 2003 occupied by Fortunoff and other prime tenants, including Whole Foods Market and The Cheesecake Factory.
DTS worked directly with the Fortunoff family, its developer partner RSquared LLC, and the City of White Plains to provide and coordinate the documentation necessary to expedite the approval process for the site, which had formerly housed a Saks Fifth Avenue department store. Our engineers and landscape architects prepared detailed grading, layout, and planting plans for the roadways, walkways, and ornamental landscape areas on this tight urban site. They also interacted with utility companies and the City’s Department of Public Works on lane adjustments, new streetscape and lighting, and infrastructure improvements along the center’s two roadway frontages.
Our integrated, strategic approach to project planning and implementation balances the concerns of the land owner, the community, and the environment with the specific characteristics of the site, enabling us to create intelligent land use solutions.