Renovations at Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers are now underway following the groundbreaking celebration ceremony on Wednesday April 8.
The joint venture of North American Properties, Nuveen Real-estate, and Taconic Partners acquired the property from Australian developer QIC in May of 2022. Since acquiring the property, the companies have worked to streamline and maintain daily operations through moves such as software improvement, daily pressure washing and landscape updates, property rebranding, and working to create a new consistent calendar of events. Swiftly following the acquisition in late 2023, the companies secured approval for more extensive renovations and upgrades to the shopping center.
What to Expect
Improvements to the 74-acre space include a reimagining of the “town square,” currently a 74,000-square-foot central playground area, into a more open green space. This will allow the facility to more seamlessly host an expanded selection of planned outdoor events. In a further effort to expand space to accommodate events, Second Street will be closed to traffic. This will create an additional 10,000-square-feet of space.
In addition to the allocation of this additional space, a 17,000 square-foot area in the northern portion of the complex will become the center’s new family-designated zone. This zone will include soft seating, cafe tables, and greenery, replacing current fountains. It will be located within close proximity to popular retailers.
Town Square rendering
Ridge Hill ownership also recently gained the approval of the Yonkers Planning Board to reimagine the building which previously housed Lord and Taylor, which has been vacant since 2021. Architectural master planner Beyer Blinder Belle plans to demolish part of the store front and second floor of the building in order to create an open-air area which will function as an extension of the main green space. The centralized green space will be surrounded by the center’s many shops, dining, and entertainment options. Construction on this part of the facility begins in the Fall.
Developers unveiled more specific details during the groundbreaking ceremony, including renderings for a covered performance stage and 18′ X 11′ LED screen in the central green space area. The Planning Board unanimously approved both updates. Developers hope that this multi-phase project will add value to the mixed-use property and create a more community-centered space for individuals to connect, shop, dine, and enjoy quality time with others. The first phase of the project will focus on the emphasis of community programming, modernizing shopping options, and updating design aesthetics while providing guests with resort-inspired quality services.
This redevelopment endeavor marks the seventh such venture for North American Properties, which specializes in redevelopment. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, members of the City Council, and Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza, all attended the groundbreaking.
It’s good to see a company like North American Properties that has the ability to run shopping centers with the success they’ve had in this changing retail market. I’m so excited about what they’ve proposed to do here at Ridge Hill. Thank you for investing in Yonkers, to have your commitment is big for our City.
Mike Spano – Mayor of Yonkers
Those interested in following the ongoing progress can visit ridgehill.com/redevelopment or follow Ridge Hill on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
