On Monday, a giant American flag was slowly raised in front of the new 26-story glass AVE Hamilton Green tower, one of two new residential complexes under construction in White Plains.

At the topping-out ceremony, developers, government officials and hundreds of construction workers celebrated the completion of the top floor. As the flag was raised, jazz singer Vanessa Racci sang the national anthem.

The $650 million mixed-use, transit-oriented development on the site of the former White Plains Mall is set to break ground in 2022. Hamilton Green’s two apartment buildings are a 12-story, 170-unit building at 25 Cottage Road and a 26-story, 307-unit tower at 5 Cottage Road. Pre-leasing for 25 Cottage Road will begin after Labor Day.

There will be an underground car park with 559 parking spaces, 5,190 square metres of open space and 3,600 square metres of commercial space.

“Here we are, 19 months later, ready to open the first building here at 25 Cottage Road around the beginning of November,” said Louis Cappelli, president of the Cappelli Organization.

Cappelli touted the benefits of building the transit-oriented development in White Plains, noting that the buildings are just two blocks from the Metro-North train station. He also praised the city’s strong infrastructure, good schools and medical facilities, and praised the county and city officials who worked together on the project.

“Without the cooperation of local communities and governments, this is absolutely not possible,” he said.

Mayor Tom Roach talked about how the new residential buildings would change the neighborhood.

“These buildings will make this area, Main Street and Hamilton, less sterile and more walkable for people,” Roach said. “We have great momentum here in this city, this is a great location and a wonderful community.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer praised those who had the vision to create AVE Hamilton Green and thanked the many construction workers who were honored with a special luncheon following the ceremony.

“These men and women used their hands, their minds and their backbone to do the concrete, electrical and carpentry work, and the final product is their work,” he said.

Latimer also thanked the “development team” as well as state and local officials for carrying out the project.

“It takes all of us and our unique talents working together and collaborating; what we can do together starts with a vision and is followed through to the end,” Latimer added.

Phase II will include 390 additional residential units, 405 self-parking spaces and 4,200 square meters of commercial space.

The four mixed-income multifamily buildings will include a total of 860 rental units, including 78 on-site affordable units, accessible open space and a variety of restaurants, retail and commercial spaces. Pricing for the units has not been disclosed to the public.

The apartments have been described as state-of-the-art, offering spacious lofts, studios, and one, two and three bedroom apartments for rent. Community amenities include co-working spaces with high-speed WiFi, 24-hour fitness centers with dedicated studio areas, a spa with private massage and infrared sauna rooms, a golf simulator, TV and gaming lounges, an indoor pool, a speakeasy, a courtyard with grilling stations, a pet spa and indoor enclosure, and a lush 4,000-square-foot planted plaza.