Simone Development’s logistics
facility hosts annual Bronx Ball

Bronx, NY A former supermarket at 1720 Eastchester Rd., redeveloped and converted by Simone Development Companies into a modern warehouse and distribution center in the Morris Park section, was once again transformed - this year into a magical ballroom - to host the 53^rd Annual Bronx Ball. The event marked the culmination of borough-wide Bronx Week, celebrating the borough’s culture, community, and the newest inductees into the Bronx Walk of Fame.

Borough president Vanessa L. Gibson and The Bronx Tourism Council (BTC) co-hosted the event, one of the highlights of Bronx Week and the official celebration of this year’s inductees to the Bronx Walk of Fame. Rhonda James of E218 Events Management; Ralph Mercado of Ralph Mercado Enterprises; and Ruben Rodriguez of Havana Catering collaborated on the Bronx Ball interior transformation.

The 190,000 s/f industrial logistics center designed by Newman Design features 63,000 s/f of indoor warehouse space, 62,000 s/f of rooftop parking and 65,000 s/f of outdoor parking. The warehouse offers 18’ clear ceiling heights and includes multiple loading docks as well as two overhead drive-in doors. The property offers access to local highways, and LaGuardia Airport, JFK and Westchester County airport can also be reached via car. 

The Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), led by president Rob Walsh, partners annually with the office of the borough president and the Bronx Tourism Council, led by director of development Julius Drake, to put on Bronx Week and official events, such as The Bronx Ball and the Bronx Walk of Fame Induction. This year, BXEDC also worked with HubSpire, an app development company, to execute the new Bronx Walk of Fame app, which can be found on the App Store and Google Play by searching “Bronx WOF.”

Every year, organizers of The Bronx Ball select a venue that reflects development and new opportunities in the borough. Last year they selected a closed multi-plex being redeveloped for industrial use. This year the committee selected Simone Development Companies’ new Bronx Logistics Center, located on the site of a former supermarket, adjacent to Simone Development Companies’ Hutchinson Metro Center, a 42-acre mixed-use campus offering class A medical and office space with retail, a major flag hotel, and various other amenities. 

The Bronx Ball honors members of the Bronx media and arts community. The 2025 honorees included Judy Torres, widely known as the “Queen of Freestyle,” a singer, actress, radio personality, model, and TEDx speaker celebrated for hits like “No Reason to Cry.” Also honored was Kemba Walker, the dynamic NBA point guard renowned for his quickness, ball-handling, and clutch performances across several teams. 

Devon Rodriguez, a New York-based artist, content creator, and storyteller was recognized for his poignant portraits of people from around the world. Also joining the honorees was Damian Priest, a WWE Superstar and world-class athlete known for his electrifying wrestling performances. In addition, journalist and television personality Gary Axelbank, winner of the “People’s Choice Award in Media and Arts,” was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame and his banner will be displayed proudly on the Grand Concourse for one year. 

The borough president also presented a Key to the Borough to DJ and record producer Derrick “D-Nice” Jones, and the Bronx Tourism Council presented its annual Tourism Award to Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Music Heritage Center.

“For a long time, the East Bronx has had a critical need for new, modern last-mile warehouse distribution centers to serve the growing delivery needs of the well-established residential communities in the area,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “We are honored that the organizers recognized this transformation and selected our property to host the annual Bronx Ball.”

Simone Development Companies, which has decades of experience in the development and management of all types of commercial real estate including industrial properties throughout the tri-state region, recently completed the multi-million-dollar redevelopment and has engaged Mathew Diana, Paul J. Yuras, and Ranee Jaber of DY Realty Group as the exclusive leasing agents for the property.