[Updated Oct 2020] A guide to executive suites and office space to rent in White Plains NY as well as general information that may be useful if you are considering renting office space in White Plains NY.
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History & Geography
White Plains is one of the largest cities in the state of New York and is the seat of Westchester County. The city lies approximately four miles east of the Hudson River and two miles northwest of the Long Island Sound. South of White Plains is Scarsdale, and to the north the town of Harrison. Originally the area around White Plains was inhabited by the Mohican nation, who called the region ‘Quarropas’. Early settlers who came to the area in the late 1600s dubbed it White Plains due to the numerous white balsam groves scattered around the local hills. In 1683 a group of Puritans from Connecticut created a settlement. By 1758 there was a sizable community and White Plains became the county seat of Westchester County. During the American Revolutionary War White Plains was the site of a major battle and defeat for the American forces. After the war the city continued to grow apace with the population numbering 830 in 1830. In 1866 White Plains was incorporated as a village and in 1916 it became a city. As the 20th century progressed the city became a popular shopping destination with branches of many of the major New York department stores. The expansion of the road system and rising use of the automobile enhanced the city’s prosperity. White Plains continued to be developed throughout the 1950s and 60s with extensive suburbs being constructed, as well as shopping centres and other retail outlets. Additionally many large companies relocated their headquarters from New York to White Plains. Amongst these were Nestle, Heineken, Snapple and IBM. In the 1990s there was an economic downturn in the city and the rate of office vacancy soared. However after fresh investment and further regeneration White Plains prospered again and today is regarded as a premium retail and business location.
Economy
White Plains has a strong economy mostly based on the presence of large companies in the city. Among those who have a major presence in White Plains are ITT, Bunge, Combe, Dannon, Alliance Bernstein, Krasdale Foods, Vimeo, Arcadia Realty Trust and the US headquarters of mobile phone giant Nokia. Another bulwark of the economy is the retail industry. The city has a gamut of malls and shopping centers which attract custom from New York and the surrounding towns and suburbs. Among the most popular retail destinations in the city is a large Macy’s as well as The Source at White Plains, a sizable retail complex which also has a selection of well-known restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and Morton’s of Chicago. White Plains is considered a relatively upmarket city and has a fairly high cost of living, especially the cost of renting an apartment or house. The median income for a family in the city is USD 71,891 and the median income for a family is USD 58,545. The per capita income in White Plains is USD 33,825. Currently, unemployment in the city is 6.2 percent with a job growth rate of -0.15 percent.
Tourism & Culture
White Plains does not have a large tourism industry and is put in the shade by its larger neighbor of New York. However the city does see a fair amount of visitors who mostly come for its retail outlets. Another popular destination for visitors is the White Plains Farmers Market, which is open year-round and sells a range of food products as well as having live music and occasionally street performances. White Plains has a thriving arts scene and an especially active performing arts scene. This revolves mainly around the White Plains Performing Arts Center, which often holds concerts and Broadway plays. The city also has the Westchester Philharmonic, which is the only professional orchestra in the county. Among the more popular parks in the city are Silver Lake Preserve and Saxon Woods Park, where one can play miniature golf or hike one of the many trails around the park. White Hills also has a number of well-known and much-used golf courses, the most popular of which is Westchester Golf Range and Maple Moor Golf Course. White Plains also has a sophisticated restaurant scene and a number of bars and clubs near the downtown area of the city.
Transportation
The closest airport to White Plains is the Westchester County Airport in Harrison, approximately seven miles from the city. Both JetBlue and AirTran Airways use the airport. White Plains itself has a fairly extensive bus system which serves the Bronx in New York, connecting the city to the New York subway system. There are also two railroad stations in the city, served by the Metro-North Railroad. Both are on the Harlem Line and provide service to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Most residents of White Plains use their cars to get around the city, which has an extensive road and highway system.
Office space for rent in White Plains NY
White Plains has a large office market though it has suffered badly in the recent recession. For the last few years, the vacancy rate in the city has not moved below 30 percent, and demand has been slim. However, of late there have been signs of improvement, not least of all the signing of a lease for 267,000 square feet by one of the largest healthcare companies in the country, Oxford Health Plans. As the economy recovers, however, White Plains remains one of the few places in New York state where a company can lease office space of 150,000 square feet of Grade A office space.
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