Cross County Shopping Center
An open-air shopping center in Yonkers, New York, with more than 100 stores and restaurants.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Cross County Center is an open-air shopping center in the Kimball neighborhood of Yonkers, New York, at the junction of the New York State Thruway and the Cross County Parkway. Opened in 1954, it was developed by Sol Atlas and became one of the early large-scale open-air retail destinations in the United States. The center occupies a roughly 72-acre site whose parking area was constructed over what had previously been a peat bog. The property was originally organized around several major department-store anchors. Gimbels, John Wanamaker, and F. W. Woolworth were among the original principal tenants. Through later retail consolidations and store closures, the Gimbels space became Stern's and then Macy's, while the former Wanamaker location was subsequently occupied by Sears and later redeveloped for Target. Woolworth operated both a primary department store and a garden-oriented store; the former has since been absorbed into the mall's general retail space, while the latter went through additional store conversions. Cross County Center has also included entertainment, dining, services, and specialty retail. Its tenant mix has included fashion, footwear, sporting goods, restaurants, a cinema complex, and national chains such as Armani Exchange, Zara, Adidas, Guess, Invicta Watch, Steve Madden, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and LongHorn Steakhouse. Showcase Cinemas is among the center's major entertainment offerings. The site has also been associated with a former hospital and office building located within the broader campus. Cross County Hospital closed in the early 1980s; the property was later reconstructed as a Hyatt Place hotel that opened in 2015 with 155 rooms and related hospitality amenities. A substantial redevelopment program began in 2007 under Macerich's oversight on behalf of the ownership. Completed in 2012, the work enlarged the Macy's building by approximately one third, added a large covered parking structure, expanded the underground loading area, renovated portions of Mall Walk, and replaced or removed a number of smaller retail structures. The changes shifted the center toward a more contemporary open-air format while retaining its role as a regional shopping and dining destination. The former Sears anchor underwent another major transition after Sears announced in 2019 that it would close the store as part of its broader reduction of brick-and-mortar locations. Target later signed a long-term lease for approximately 132,000 square feet in the former Sears premises. Target's first Cross County location was ceremonially opened in October 2023 and began serving customers later that month. The former anchor also became the site of an expansion by Westchester Community College. Announced in 2021 and opened in November 2022, the college's approximately 30,000-square-foot expansion added laboratories, design-school facilities, and other academic space on the building's third floor. Ownership has historically been held through Brooks Shopping Center LLC, associated with Marx Realty and Benenson Capital Partners. Macerich managed the property for much of the redevelopment and subsequent period, but Marx Realty assumed leasing and management responsibilities in January 2020. The center remains an active mixed-use retail property serving Yonkers and the wider Westchester County market.
History
Cross County Center opened in 1954 in Yonkers, New York, after being developed by Sol Atlas. Its 72-acre site was positioned at the intersection of major regional roads and was designed as an open-air shopping destination. The center's parking facilities were built over a former peat bog, an unusual physical feature in the property's development history. The original retail plan relied on several major department-store anchors. Gimbels, John Wanamaker, and F. W. Woolworth were among the principal early tenants. The Gimbels store later became Stern's and ultimately Macy's. The Wanamaker space later became a Sears department store and was eventually redeveloped for Target. Woolworth operated both a main store and a garden store; the former garden-store space passed through later retail uses, while the main store was converted into general mall space. The center's broader campus also included Cross County Hospital and an office building. The hospital, which included a rooftop helipad, closed in the early 1980s. The building was subsequently reconstructed and reopened in 2015 as a Hyatt Place hotel with 155 rooms and amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, business center, and bar. The property has also hosted restaurants, entertainment venues, and specialty stores over successive periods. A 1981 CBS television film, Bill, filmed a Santa Claus scene at the shopping center. Beginning in 2007, Macerich oversaw a major redevelopment program for the owners. Work completed in 2012 expanded the Macy's building by about one third, created a large covered parking facility, enlarged the underground loading complex, renovated buildings along Mall Walk, and removed or replaced several smaller retail structures. Restaurant additions included Red Lobster in 2010, followed by Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse in 2015. The Sears anchor's later closure created another significant redevelopment opportunity. Sears announced in June 2019 that it would close the store as part of its continuing retreat from physical retail. Target signed a 40-year lease for approximately 132,000 square feet in the former Sears premises. Target announced in September 2023 that the store would open in October; a ribbon-cutting took place on October 18 and the store opened on October 22. In late 2021, Westchester Community College announced plans to expand its Yonkers campus into the third floor of the former Sears building. The approximately 30,000-square-foot project added laboratory and design-school space and opened in November 2022. The combination of retail, food, entertainment, hotel, and educational uses reflects the center's evolution beyond its original department-store format. Brooks Shopping Center LLC has long held the property, with ownership associated with Marx Realty and Benenson Capital Partners. Macerich managed the center from 2006 through the redevelopment period and later years. In January 2020, Marx Realty assumed leasing and management from Macerich. Adjacent to the principal center is The Mall at Cross County at 750 Central Park Avenue. That separate shopping complex opened in 1987 as Cross County Square. Its tenant history includes Circuit City, Kids "R" Us, National Wholesale Liquidators, Sports Authority, Century 21, and other discount, specialty, and service retailers. Micro Center replaced Circuit City's former space in 2010. A major renovation announced in 2017 brought Century 21 to the complex, but Century 21 closed its stores in 2020; Burlington subsequently opened in the former Century 21 space in November 2022. A separate National Wholesale Liquidators building was condemned and demolished after a construction accident involving a front-loader and a parking-deck roof. The site remained vacant in the source material's latest description.
- 2023
Target opens
[1]Target opens its Cross County store following an October ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- 2022
Westchester Community College expansion opens
[1]The college opens approximately 30,000 square feet of expanded academic facilities in the former Sears building.
- 2020
Marx Realty takes over management
[1]Marx Realty assumes leasing and management responsibilities from Macerich.
- 2019
Sears closure and Target lease announced
[1]Sears announces its closure, and Target commits to a long-term lease for the former anchor space.
- 2015
Hyatt Place opens
[1]The former hospital and office building is reconstructed as a 155-room Hyatt Place hotel.
- 2012
Redevelopment program is completed
[1]The Macy's building is enlarged, parking and loading facilities are improved, and portions of the center are renovated.
- 2007
Major redevelopment begins
[1]Macerich begins overseeing a substantial renovation and expansion program at the center.
- 1987
Adjacent Cross County Square opens
[1]The separate shopping complex now known as The Mall at Cross County opens as Cross County Square.
- 1981
Television filming at the center
[1]A Santa Claus scene for the CBS television film Bill was filmed at Cross County Center.
- 1954
Cross County Center opens
[1]Sol Atlas's open-air shopping center opens in Yonkers with Gimbels, John Wanamaker, and Woolworth among its original major tenants.
Products and positioning
A regional open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment center combining department stores, national specialty retailers, restaurants, cinema, hospitality, and educational space.
Department store
Macy's
The principal department-store anchor occupies the building that began as Gimbels, later became Stern's, and was substantially enlarged during the center's 2007–2012 redevelopment.
Department and general merchandise store · 2023
Target
Target occupies approximately 132,000 square feet in the former Sears anchor. The store opened in October 2023 after Target signed a 40-year lease for the premises.
Cinema and entertainment
Showcase Cinemas
A cinema complex serving as one of the center's principal entertainment offerings alongside retail, restaurants, and other leisure uses.
Adjacent shopping center · 1987
The Mall at Cross County
A separate neighboring shopping complex at 750 Central Park Avenue. Its current tenant mix includes Michaels, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Micro Center, and Burlington.
Brand decisions
2021
Educational expansion into former anchor spaceStrategyBackground
The former Sears building provided additional space for Westchester Community College's Yonkers academic operations.
Action taken
Westchester Community College planned approximately 30,000 square feet of laboratories, design-school facilities, and expanded academic uses on the third floor.
Aftermath
The expansion opened in November 2022, adding an educational use to the mixed-use shopping-center campus.
2020
Management transition to Marx RealtyStrategyBackground
The property had been managed by Macerich since 2006, including during its major redevelopment.
Action taken
Marx Realty took over leasing and management responsibilities from Macerich.
Aftermath
Marx Realty became the center's direct leasing and management operator while ownership remained associated with Brooks Shopping Center LLC.
2019
Replacement of Sears with TargetStrategyBackground
Sears announced the closure of its Cross County store during its broader contraction of physical retail.
Action taken
Target signed a 40-year lease for approximately 132,000 square feet in the former Sears anchor.
Aftermath
Target opened the replacement anchor in October 2023.
2007
Launch of major center redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The aging open-air property required modernization while retaining its role as a regional shopping destination.
Action taken
Macerich oversaw an extensive renovation and expansion program that enlarged Macy's, improved parking and loading infrastructure, and rebuilt portions of the retail environment.
Aftermath
The redevelopment was completed in 2012 and produced a substantially updated center.
Recent events
- 2023
Target replaces Sears as an anchor tenant[1]
Product launch · Other
Target opened in the former Sears anchor after signing a long-term lease for approximately 132,000 square feet.
- 2022
Westchester Community College expands at Cross County[1]
Other
A roughly 30,000-square-foot Westchester Community College expansion opened in the former Sears building, adding laboratories, design-school facilities, and academic space.
- 2020
Marx Realty assumes Cross County Center leasing and management[1]
Leadership change
Marx Realty took over leasing and management responsibilities from Macerich for the shopping center.
- 2015
Hyatt Place opens in former hospital and office building[1]
Other
A reconstructed building on the Cross County campus opened as a 155-room Hyatt Place hotel with an indoor pool, fitness center, business center, and bar service.
- 2012
Macerich completes major Cross County Center redevelopment[1]
Other
A multiyear redevelopment program begun in 2007 was completed, including expansion of the Macy's building, new covered parking, loading-area improvements, and renovations to portions of the open-air center.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/cross-county-shopping-center · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled