New Roc City in New Rochelle is facing a period of significant decline. the 1.2 million-square-foot complex, once a $200 million cornerstone of local revitalization, now struggles with tenant loss and deteriorating conditions.
A $200 million centerpiece disconnected from New Rochelle's main street
The 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center was originally a massive $200 million investment designed to anchor the local economy. Since its opening in 1999, the facility has seen its once-vibrant atmosphere, which featured an IMAX theater and the Space Shot thrill ride, replaced by a sense of isolation from the surrounding community.
Jim Killoran, a New Rochelle activist, has described the mall as being fundamentally disconnected from the city's main street. He compared the situation to the Wizard of Oz, suggesting that the mall exists in a separate, walled-off world that fails to integrate with the modern, walkable downtown. This disconnect is part of a larger shift in New Rochelle's redevelopment strategy, which has moved toward high-rise, transit-oriented residential buildings designed to attract commuters from the nearby Metro-North station.
Safety concerns and maintenance failures at 33 LeCount Place
Maintenance issues at 33 LeCount Place have been highlighted by local activist James O'Toole, who reported severe physical neglect throughout the facility.. O'Toole has documented non-working elevators, unlit exit signs, and a broken fire system, alongside more visceral issues like the smell of urine and the presence of rats in the complex.
Security incidents in the New Roc parking garage have further heightened local fears and driven away families. According to a report by The New York Post, these concerns include a July 2024 arrest of armed individuals in the garage following a nearby shooting, as well as previous instances of gunfire near a Burger King inside the mall.. These safety lapses, combined with the presence of abandoned cars and construction debris , have created a perception of a facility in deep disrepair.
EPR Properties defends the mall's evolution despite retailer complaints
EPR Properties, the Kansas City-based real estate investment firm that owns the mall, maintains that the shopping center is successfully evolving. A spokesperson for the firm stated that the property remains an active destination, pointing to the presence of new tenants such as an Audi dealership and Soccer Roof as evidence of continued relevance.
The owner's optimistic outlook stands in stark contrast to the experiences of local retailers. As reported by the Post, some tenants have expressed frustration with the mall's failed attempts to remain "cool," with one retailer describing the current situaton as a significant failure. While EPR Properties attributes some of the struggle to the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, local stakeholders see a more fundamental problem with the mall's current direction.
Will the shift toward Metro-North commuters leave New Roc behind?
The future of New Roc City remains uncertain as the city's demographic focus shifts toward transit-oriented commuters. A major unanswered question is whether the mall can successfully pivot to serve this new population, or if its enclosed,traditional design will continue to act as a barrier to the foot traffic required for success.
Retailers have identified a specific gap in the mall's current tenant mix that remains unaddressed. for example, a retailer named Collins suggested that the facility desperately needs medium-level anchor stores, such as Old Navy, Uniqlo, or H&M, to generate the consistent foot traffic necessary to sustain a large-scale shopping center. Whether the current ownership can secure such tenants or if the mall will continue to drift away from the downtown core remains to be seen.
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