Downtown Living Drawing Renters and Downsizers
By April Saxe
Have you noticed the new apartment buildings and developments popping up all over the Sound Shore area? The urban sprawl from New York City is real and happening. We have seen projects at the old Blood Brothers wrecking site in Mamaroneck (https://rentthemason.com), at the old Interstate Lumber in Harrison, the St. Regis in Rye (https://srresidencesrye.com), and the soon-to-come downtown project on Locust Avenue in Rye (www.locustrye.com).
Buyer preferences have shifted to living closer to town with walkability to train, as it has grown ever more difficult to park at the stations. Is this trend here to stay? We don’t know but it has caught our eye in a big way.
What this provides are more options than ever for a downsizer market as well as a place for first time homebuyers to get their feet wet as they leave the city and transition into suburban life. Plus, many of these developments are rental projects, a great way to “test drive” the area.
Many of these developments, like the planned project at Westchester Avenue in Harrison, offer amenities like shopping, restaurants, on-site gyms and concierge service. Even a Wegmans is being built near this multi-purpose site. The Avalon in Harrison is well under way and the streetscape looks great.
Can our towns handle this new influx of residences? Will buyers of the future say goodbye to the center hall colonial and flat backyard? We do not think the Sound Shore traditional housing will ever go out of style, even with the influx of “new digs on the block” that offer swag and style. There’s room for everyone and more choices to be had. The urban sprawl may be here to stay, but the houses that look like the film sets of “Father of the Bride” or “Home Alone” are still my favorites.
<The author is a realtor with Houlihan Lawrence.>
