Ritz-Carlton Celebrates Fifth Anniversary in Downtown White Plains [VIDEO]

Five years after its opening in downtown White Plains, The Ritz-Carlton hotel and its two residential towers were saluted on Tuesday by business and government leaders as icons of the revitalization efforts for the city.

"We are pleased to be celebrating five wonderful years in Westchester," said Jeffrey Dziak, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton. "The community response to the hotel has been tremendous, with thousands of events having taken place here since opening five years ago."

The hotel, with 146 luxury rooms, two restaurants, 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a 500-person ballroom, employees 250 people. The hotel is part of a two-tower residential complex built and owned by developer Louis Cappelli.

White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, who was among public officials who gathered at a party for the hotel on Tuesday, said The Ritz-Carlton and the residential complex at 3 Renaissance Square has had a significant impact on White Plains because it has injected people into the core of downtown area.

"That's what brings a downtown back, having people right there," said Roach.

Roach said that having a recognized luxury hotel right in downtown White Plains has helped the city's efforts to entice new businesses to come to the downtown area. Roach noted that the hotel's presence has been helpful in ongoing discussions with projects he is anticipating will soon been announced.