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The conversion of Beckwith Pointe from beach club to luxury condominiums could signal the end of an era on New Rochelle's Davenport Neck.
Ever since the Siwanoy Indians relinquished a huge swath of land along Long Island Sound in 1654, wealth and economic forces have shaped the uses of the highly-prized waterfront lands. Davenport Neck, a promontory that juts into New Rochelle Harbor, is one such prize.
The peninsula has been the site of Indian encampments that have given way to settlers' farms that have yielded to grand mansions that made way for beach clubs and marinas surrounded by expensive houses. Summer beach clubs have expanded into year-round banquet facilities that have hosted countless weddings, club luncheons, fundraising galas and political functions.
"The beach clubs are very much a part of New Rochelle and our culture." said city historian Barbara Davis. "We've all benefited from the gorgeous views of Long Island Sound."
Access to those vistas could become more scarce.
The city's pending waterfront plan calls for transitioning Davenport Neck from beach clubs to multifamily residences.
Previously, houses could be built there. Now new zoning allows developers to replace private clubs with condominiums.
That's the plan with Beckwith Pointe at the southern tip of Davenport Neck. Zinrock Resources L.P. plans to build luxury condominiums and pay the city $720,000 for the right to privatize the beach.
The city planning board in late June approved the developer's site plan for the project.
Zinrock shares an address with National Realty & Development Corp., an owner and developer...