Key Points
- 58,000 square feet of new retail underway at Cross County Center
- Two new buildings plus a 4-acre public park planned
- Expansion reinforces one of Westchester’s top lifestyle retail hubs
What 58K SF of New Retail Means for Yonkers’ Leasing Momentum
Marx Realty is underway on a 58,000-square-foot retail expansion at Cross County Center in Yonkers, New York. The project includes two new buildings, one spanning 14,000 square feet on a single level and another totaling 44,000 square feet across two floors. Cross County Center already spans 1.2 million square feet and hosts more than 100 retail, dining, education, and entertainment tenants. Originally opened in 1954 with just 30 stores, the property has evolved into one of the dominant open-air retail destinations just north of New York City. For retail landlords, this move signals confidence in brick-and-mortar demand in high-density suburban corridors with strong commuter access.
What the 4-Acre Park Strategy Says About Experiential Retail
Beyond retail square footage, Marx Realty is investing in a 4-acre park that will host farmers’ markets, SummerFest events, wellness programming, and seasonal activities. An adjacent boardwalk with café-style seating and shaded umbrellas will serve as the new front entrance to the center. This is not just an expansion. It is repositioning. Lifestyle centers are increasingly competing on experience rather than pure retail mix. Creating programmed public space drives repeat foot traffic and increases dwell time, which translates into higher tenant sales productivity. For owners of open-air centers, placemaking is becoming a core leasing tool rather than an afterthought.
What This Means for Westchester Retail Fundamentals
Cross County Center’s tenant roster includes national brands such as H&M, Foot Locker, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, Crocs, and Chase Bank. The expansion reinforces the center’s role as a regional draw in Westchester County. Suburban retail in the New York metro area has remained resilient, especially in open-air formats with strong parking access and convenience. Expansions at stabilized centers typically signal healthy occupancy and retailer demand rather than speculative risk. For investors tracking New York retail outside Manhattan, Yonkers continues to benefit from population density, commuter traffic, and limited competing large-scale developments. Marx Realty’s investment suggests long-term confidence in experiential suburban retail as a durable asset class in the current cycle.