Hamptons Business District Officially Breaks Ground

After years of planning and tireless negotiations at the county, town and local levels, the official ground breaking ceremony took place yesterday for the Hamptons Business District at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.

Selected by Suffolk County in 2009, the property will be developed by Long Island’s largest commercial realty company Rechler Equity Partners, represented at the ground breaking by managing partners Gregg Rechler and Mitchell Rechler. Long Island’s largest owner and operator of commercial property, Rechler Equity Partners will bring its three generational and 55 years of commercial development experience to create an industrial park that will be a state-of-the-art business incubator that creates jobs, increases county and town tax revenue, and ultimately will improve the quality of life for all East Enders.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone noted the significant impact the Hamptons Business District will have on the economy of all the East End. (Photo: Douglas MacKaye Harrington)

As noted by Mitchell Rechler, “What we are commemorating today is the start of construction on a business park that is beyond compare not just on the East End, but throughout the Northeast. Companies locating here will operate in a campus-like environment where every business and employee need has been anticipated. From the latest in sustainable design and green technology to far-reaching amenities that will attract a diverse cross-section of industries, The Hampton Business District is in a class all its own. Rechler Equity Partners is honored to put its resources, talent, and unparalleled experience to work to design and develop such an extraordinary business park on behalf of Suffolk County.”

(Photo: Douglas MacKaye Harrington)

On hand at the ground breaking were numerous political and business dignitaries including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Town Council members Stan Glinka, Bridget Fleming and Bradley Bender and Suffolk County IDA Executive Director Anthony Catapano. “This is an important day for Suffolk County and the economic future of the entire region,” observed County Executive Bellone in addressing the crowd of almost 100 guests and media. “The genesis for The Hampton Business District dates back to the 1970s, when Suffolk County and the Town of Southampton recognized the economic potential of developing non-aviation portions of Gabreski Airport. With today’s groundbreaking, we see that collaborative vision take a major step closer to becoming a reality. All of us in Suffolk County government and economic development congratulate Rechler Equity Partners on this milestone event.”

In her remarks Town Supervisor Throne-Holst also noted the economic importance of the project, “The Hampton Business District will make significant contributions to the continued growth of small and large businesses and to the evolution of the East End economy.” She also went on to say that projects like this would “…allow our children and grandchildren to continue to live and flourish in the community of the Hamptons we cherish and call our home.”

Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst addressing the crowd of almost 100 guests along with Rechler Equity Managing Partners Gregg and Mitchel Rechler. (Photo: Douglas MacKaye Harrington)

The first phase of the Hampton Business District has begun at 220 Roger’s Way, a 60,000-square-foot industrial building that will be followed by eight more buildings totaling 440,000 square feet. There will also be a hotel, a day care center and at least one restaurant on the 50-acre property. Attending the event were officers from the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard whose base is located at Gabreski Airport and joined the festivities to welcome their new neighbors. Business, government and yes, even the military joined together to celebrate the groundbreaking of this business and technology park that will have a dynamic impact on the economic future of the East End for generations to come.

Rechler Managing Partners Mitchell and Gregg Rechler and County Executive Steve Bellone joined by officers of the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard. (Photo: Douglas MacKaye Harrington)