Onyx Equities wants to create an innovation corridor in White Plains and attract tech companies that might be rethinking office occupancies in a post-pandemic world.
Onyx Equities has revealed plans to create one of the US’ first smart office campuses in a bid to attract tech companies which might be rethinking their office occupancies in a post-pandemic world.
A request for proposal (RFP) has been issued by the New Jersey-based company to turn its WestPark corporate headquarters campus into the ‘linchpin’ of an innovation corridor retrofitted with next-level technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) data retrieval systems.
21st century demands
The goal is to meet 21st century demands in terms of sustainability, energy conservation, health and wellness, security, connectivity and workforce attraction.
“With heightened interest by companies – and employees – seeking to relocate to the suburbs, our goal is to rival some of the most technically advanced campuses in the world,” said DJ Venn, senior vice president of asset management, Onyx Equities.
He continued: “Our vision is for WestPark to serve as a hub of connectivity for a global workforce and be the place where innovation and creativity will thrive.”
According to real estate services and investment firm CBRE, which is marketing the campus, WestPark is already beginning the process with a “leg up” as the two buildings are loaded with amenities, have high-speed fibre, connectivity, an environmentally-sensitive design, natural light on every level, excellent air filtration systems, and plenty of green space.
“Our vision is for WestPark to serve as a hub of connectivity for a global workforce and be the place where innovation and creativity will thrive”
As the WestPark building in White Plains, New York is situated between the Metro-North Harlem and New Haven Lines, and at the intersections of I-287, I-684, and the Hutchinson River and Merritt parkways, it means the campus is ideally positioned to draw on a workforce from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
The buildings have an environmentally sensitive design and natural light on every level
WestPark aims to serve as a hub of connectivity for global workforces
Developers also want autonomous vehicles to set the stage for “re-imagining transportation” along the I-287 corridor, connecting New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
In a second phase of development, the idea is for an autonomous shuttle and other autonomous vehicles to connect the innovation campus with the immediate neighbourhood’s sports, food, and health facilities, and then to the White Plains multi-modal transportation centre and Metro-North train stations.
“Our world-class smart campus and the concept of developing an autonomous transportation loop all play into the vision we have of moving Westchester County into the forefront of smart business”
To that end, WestPark Associates will work proactively with New York State and Westchester County to encourage the development of an I-287 innovation corridor and the use of autonomous transportation along that corridor.
“Both our world-class smart campus and the concept of developing an autonomous transportation loop along the I-287 corridor all play into the vision we have of moving Westchester County into the forefront of smart business, innovation, and healthy living,” added Venn.
“With the advent of Covid-19 and major companies rethinking their desire to headquarter in large cities, WestPark is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our times.”
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