5 Surprising Ways The Former Lord & Taylor Scarsdale Is Being Reborn In 2025
The iconic, sprawling structure that once housed the beloved Lord & Taylor department store in Scarsdale, New York, has undergone one of the most significant commercial redevelopments in Westchester County history. As of December 25, 2025, the building at 750 White Plains Road is no longer a symbol of retail past but a vibrant, multi-purpose center focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle, a monumental shift that reflects the changing landscape of American commerce. This transformation, spearheaded by LT Eastchester LLC, has successfully repurposed the 70,000+ square foot space, breathing new life into the Vernon Hills Shopping Center.
The closure of the store in 2020 marked the end of an era for many local residents, but the approved and now realized redevelopment plans—which received key approvals from the Eastchester Planning Board and ARB in late 2023—have established the site as a cutting-edge regional destination. The shift from high-end retail to a medical and fitness-centric hub is a powerful example of how former big-box stores are being strategically reimagined for the 21st century. The site's new identity is defined by a major hospital affiliate, a luxury fitness brand, and new dining options.
The New Life of an Iconic Retail Landmark: From 1948 to 2025
To understand the magnitude of the current transformation, one must first appreciate the history of the Lord & Taylor Scarsdale location. This store, while often associated with Scarsdale due to its mailing address, is actually situated in the Town of Eastchester, within the Vernon Hills Shopping Center. Its opening was a landmark moment in retail history.
A History of Retail Significance
- Opening Date: The Lord & Taylor Scarsdale store first opened its doors in 1948.
- Historical Context: It was a pioneering location, serving as only the third branch store opened by Lord & Taylor outside of New York City. This strategic move helped define the suburban shopping experience for decades.
- Location: 750 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709 (Scarsdale mailing address).
- Closure: The store ceased operations in 2020 as part of the total liquidation of the Lord & Taylor brand, leaving a massive retail void in the community.
- Property Owner: The property is managed by LT Eastchester LLC, an entity affiliated with Saks Global.
For over seven decades, the store was a pillar of the local economy and a cultural touchstone, where generations of families shopped for everything from holiday attire to home goods. Its closure, alongside many other big-box stores nationwide, created a challenge for the property owner: how to repurpose a large, single-tenant building in a post-department-store world. The answer was a definitive pivot to health and wellness.
From Department Store to Wellness Hub: The White Plains Hospital Transformation
The most significant and immediate change to the former Lord & Taylor building is the arrival of a major medical facility. This move not only fills the large commercial space but also provides a vital community service, establishing the building as a regional center for specialized medical care.
White Plains Hospital Physician Associates Multi-Specialty Center
The anchor tenant for the redeveloped site is the White Plains Hospital Physician Associates, which has established a state-of-the-art, multi-specialty outpatient center.
- Size and Scope: The facility occupies between 70,000 and 75,000 square feet of the former retail space.
- Services Offered: The center has already begun seeing patients in various specialties, including OB-GYN and orthopedics. This expansion significantly increases White Plains Hospital's outpatient presence in the Scarsdale/Eastchester area.
- Project Approval: The transformational reuse of the space was formally approved by the Town of Eastchester’s Planning Board and Architectural Review Board (ARB) in September 2023.
- Community Impact: The new center offers convenient access to high-quality healthcare, reducing the need for residents to travel to the main hospital campus for specialty services. The ribbon-cutting ceremony in late 2023/early 2024 solidified the building's new purpose.
The conversion required extensive retrofitting of the retail space, transforming fitting rooms and display areas into examination rooms, diagnostic labs, and physician offices. This shift represents a powerful national trend where medical institutions are moving into highly accessible, former retail locations to provide neighborhood-level care.
The Next Wave: Equinox, Cava, and the Future of Vernon Hills
The redevelopment of 750 White Plains Road is not solely focused on medical services. The remaining space is being converted into a holistic wellness and lifestyle destination, featuring a luxury fitness club and new dining experiences, creating a true mixed-use commercial environment.
1. Equinox Scarsdale Club: Luxury Fitness Arrives
One of the most anticipated new tenants is the Equinox Scarsdale Club, a high-end health and fitness facility. Equinox will occupy a significant portion of the remaining space, complementing the medical services offered by the hospital.
- Wellness Synergy: The co-location of a major hospital outpatient center and a luxury gym creates a unique synergy, promoting both treatment and preventative health under one roof.
- Approval Status: Equinox's plans for the space, which will feature modern equipment and studios, have been part of the overall approval process sought by the property owner, LT Eastchester LLC.
2. Cava Restaurant: A New Dining Anchor
The former department store site is also set to become a new food destination. Planning documents explicitly mention the approval for Cava Restaurant, a popular Mediterranean fast-casual chain known for its healthy bowls and fresh ingredients.
- Fast-Casual Trend: Cava's presence aligns with the modern consumer demand for quick, healthy, and customizable dining options, a stark contrast to the traditional in-store dining of the Lord & Taylor era.
3. The Second Dining Establishment
In addition to Cava, planning documents indicate that approval is being sought for a second restaurant space. While the name of this second establishment has not been widely publicized, its inclusion highlights the developer's strategy to create foot traffic and a complete lifestyle experience at the Vernon Hills Shopping Center.
4. Reimagining the Commercial Landscape
The total redevelopment involves five new tenants filling the massive retail footprint, including the hospital, Equinox, and the two restaurants. This multi-tenant approach is a key strategy for mitigating the risk of large-scale vacancies and ensuring the long-term viability of the commercial center. The transformation is a blueprint for how suburban retail properties across the country can evolve from single-purpose department stores into essential community hubs.
The repurposing of the Lord & Taylor Scarsdale building is a clear sign that the future of prime commercial real estate lies in combining essential services—like healthcare and fitness—with lifestyle amenities. The site at 750 White Plains Road is set to be a cornerstone of the Eastchester/Scarsdale community for decades to come, moving from a destination for fashion to a destination for well-being.
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