The Westchester
An upscale shopping mall in downtown White Plains, New York, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, and Nordstrom.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Westchester is an upscale shopping mall in downtown White Plains, New York, United States. Opened in 1995, it was developed on a historically significant urban site that had previously included a B. Altman & Co. department store and the White Plains terminal of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway. The project incorporated and built around an existing Neiman Marcus location, giving the center a premium department-store profile from the outset. The mall is operated by Simon Property Group, which owns a 40 percent interest. Its tenant mix has traditionally emphasized luxury, premium fashion, home furnishings, specialty retail, dining, and personal services. The center is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, and Nordstrom. The Nordstrom store was the first in New York State and, at opening, was the fourth Nordstrom location serving the New York metropolitan area after stores in Short Hills, Menlo Park, and Paramus, New Jersey. Some retailers at The Westchester have operated locations that were unique within Westchester County, reinforcing the center's role as a regional destination rather than a purely local convenience mall. The Westchester occupies a prominent position within White Plains' downtown retail and hospitality district. Nearby destinations have included major hotels and other shopping and entertainment properties such as City Center at White Plains, The Source at White Plains, The White Plains Pavilion, and the former Galleria at White Plains. This setting supports a shopping experience oriented toward affluent suburban consumers, visitors, office workers, and shoppers seeking department-store and specialty-brand offerings in a walkable urban environment. The center's dining component includes Savor Westchester, a fourth-floor food hall or food-court area featuring operators such as Melt Shop and Shake Shack. The fourth floor previously contained a more conventional food court and a large F.A.O. Schwarz store, which closed in the early 2000s. The evolution of this space reflects the broader shift in enclosed-mall operations toward curated dining and experiential uses. Beginning in February 2016, The Westchester underwent its largest renovation since its 1995 opening. The work included updates to the exterior façade as well as new tile and carpeting, refreshing the center's common areas and reinforcing its upscale positioning. The mall remains an active Simon-operated shopping destination, although its tenant roster and individual store status can change over time.
History
The Westchester stands on a site with a substantial retail and transportation history. Before the present mall was built, the property included a B. Altman & Co. department-store branch that opened in 1930. The location also contained the White Plains terminal associated with the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway's White Plains branch. These earlier uses placed the site within the development of White Plains as a significant suburban commercial center. The site's premium retail identity was further established by Neiman Marcus, which opened at the location in 1972. At that time, the store was notable as an out-of-town location of Bergdorf Goodman, the New York-based sister chain. When The Westchester was developed, the mall was built adjacent to the already established Neiman Marcus store rather than creating an entirely new department-store presence from scratch. The earlier B. Altman site corresponds to the portion later occupied by Nordstrom. The Westchester opened in 1995 as an upscale enclosed shopping center in downtown White Plains. Its development brought together major department stores, premium specialty retailers, home-furnishing merchants, restaurants, and service businesses. The center's anchors became Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, and Nordstrom. Nordstrom's arrival was particularly significant for the regional retail market: the store was the first Nordstrom in New York State and the fourth location serving the New York metropolitan area, following stores in Short Hills, Menlo Park, and Paramus, New Jersey. The mall developed as part of a larger downtown ecosystem that included hotels and nearby retail or mixed-use destinations. Its location near properties such as the Sonesta Hotel, The Opus Westchester Hotel, The Source at White Plains, The White Plains Pavilion, and City Center at White Plains helped position it as a destination within the city's commercial district. The Galleria at White Plains, another nearby shopping property, later closed permanently, leaving The Westchester as one of the area's prominent upscale retail centers. Food and hospitality uses have changed over the mall's history. The fourth floor originally contained a conventional food court and a large F.A.O. Schwarz store. F.A.O. Schwarz closed in the early 2000s, and the dining area later became known as Savor Westchester. The food offering has included brands such as Melt Shop and Shake Shack, reflecting a move toward recognizable fast-casual and food-hall concepts. In February 2016, The Westchester began its largest renovation since its opening. The project refreshed the public-facing architecture and interior common areas with a new façade, updated tile, and new carpeting. The work was intended to maintain the center's premium environment and keep the property competitive as retail expectations evolved. In 2026, the Neiman Marcus store at The Westchester was temporarily placed in a proposed Saks Global closure program covering selected Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus locations. The proposed closure was subsequently withdrawn after Saks stated that it had reached an agreement with the landlord. The episode illustrated the financial pressure affecting department-store operations but did not result in the reported closure of the Westchester location. The Westchester continues to operate as a Simon Property Group-operated upscale shopping center.
- 2026
Proposed Neiman Marcus closure is withdrawn
[1]After the store was included in a proposed Saks Global closure plan, Saks announced that an agreement with the landlord would allow the location to remain open.
- 2016
Major renovation begins
[1]The mall began its largest renovation since opening, updating the façade, tile, and carpeting.
- 2000
F.A.O. Schwarz later closes its mall location
[1]The large F.A.O. Schwarz store on the fourth floor closed in the early 2000s, contributing to the later evolution of the space into a more contemporary dining area.
- 1995
The Westchester opens
[1]The upscale shopping mall opened in downtown White Plains with Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, and Nordstrom among its principal anchors.
- 1972
Neiman Marcus opens at the site
[1]Neiman Marcus established an out-of-town location at the property, originally associated with its sister chain Bergdorf Goodman.
- 1930
B. Altman & Co. opens a White Plains branch
[1]A B. Altman & Co. department-store branch opened on the site later associated with The Westchester.
Products and positioning
An upscale, urban shopping center serving White Plains and the broader Westchester County market through luxury department stores, premium specialty retailers, home goods, and curated dining.
Department stores · 1995
Luxury and premium department-store retail
The Westchester's department-store anchors provide luxury and premium merchandise across fashion, accessories, beauty, home, and related categories. Neiman Marcus has been part of the site's identity since before the mall opened, while Nordstrom added a major regional department-store presence and was the first Nordstrom location in New York State.
Specialty retail · 1995
Specialty fashion and home retail
The center's specialty-retail offer complements its department stores with premium apparel, accessories, home furnishings, décor, and lifestyle merchandise. Crate & Barrel is one of the named anchors and contributes a strong home-goods component to the mall's overall mix.
Dining
Savor Westchester
Savor Westchester is the mall's fourth-floor dining area. It has included fast-casual and food-service operators such as Melt Shop and Shake Shack, giving the center a food-hall-style amenity alongside its retail offer.
Brand decisions
2026
Retain the Neiman Marcus location after proposed closureOtherBackground
Saks Global included the Neiman Marcus store at The Westchester in a proposed nationwide closure program intended to reduce costs and focus on more profitable locations.
Action taken
After discussions with the landlord, Saks announced that it had reached an agreement and would no longer close the location.
Aftermath
The reported closure did not proceed, allowing the Neiman Marcus store to remain part of The Westchester's anchor lineup.
2016
Undertake a comprehensive mall renovationStrategyBackground
The Westchester had been operating since 1995 and required a refresh of its exterior and public areas to sustain its upscale positioning.
Action taken
The mall began its largest renovation since opening, including a new façade and updates to tile and carpeting.
Aftermath
The renovation modernized the center's common areas and reinforced its role as a premium downtown shopping destination.
Recent events
- 2026
Neiman Marcus at The Westchester was included in a proposed Saks Global closure plan[1]
Other
Saks Global announced a plan to close selected Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus stores as part of a cost-reduction effort. The Neiman Marcus location at The Westchester was identified among the proposed closures, but Saks later announced that it had reached an agreement with its landlord and would not proceed with the closure.
- 2016
The Westchester begins its largest renovation since opening[1]
Other
A major renovation began in February 2016, including updates to the mall's façade, tiling, and carpeting.
Sources2 sources
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