For nearly four decades, the Boyce Thompson Institute plant research center building in Yonkers, NY sat abandoned and deteriorating, its walls covered in graffiti, greenhouses in ruins and grounds overgrown.

Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies joined with Yonkers City Officials to celebrate the remarkable transformation of this historic building into the Boyce Thompson Center, an innovative 85,000-square-foot mixed-use center featuring premier office/medical space, retail stores, restaurants and banking.

“The grand opening celebration represented an important milestone for Simone Development and the City of Yonkers. What was once an eyesore will now be generating tax revenue for the City, creating jobs and bringing new retail and healthcare services to the residents of Yonkers and nearby Rivertown communities. We are especially pleased to be preserving an important piece of history for Yonkers and Westchester County,” said Mr. Simone, the developer of the $35 million project.

Built in the 1920s, the property was acquired by Mr. Simone whose company meticulously restored the main building to its original character with a glorious new plaza and fountain.

Joe Simone said the adaptive repurposing of the Boyce Thompson Center provided the company with a unique development opportunity. “Not only are we restoring an important historic building, we are also creating a mixed-use development that incorporates state-of-the-art medical space with retail, restaurants and other services. As healthcare becomes more consumer-driven, facilities such as the Boyce Thompson Center will become more attractive to medical practices and ambulatory care facilities that want to be located in an environment that offers patients and employees easy access to retail stores, restaurants and free parking,” Mr. Simone said.