New York suburbs get makeovers to attract millennials

New York

A PAIR of high-rise apartment towers is set to replace a decrepit parking deck in New Rochelle, extending the New York suburb's effort to draw younger residents by touting its urban feel and access to mass transit.

The 28-storey buildings will have 650 to 700 rental units, and will be a three-minute walk to New Rochelle's Metro-North rail station, said Seth Pinsky, executive vice-president of developer RXR Realty. They are part of a master plan designed to revitalise the Westchester County city's downtown to appeal to millennials who might otherwise choose to live in hipper areas like Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood or Brooklyn's Williamsburg.

RXR and other developers are helping to revamp the image of New York's northern suburbs, traditionally a magnet for families escaping the bustle of the city in search of space, a yard and a place to park the car. Today's newcomers to Westchester are more likely to want a variety of restaurants, cultural offerings and a train link to the rest of the metro area, all within short walking distance a…