YONKERS-The recent designation of sections of the city as federal Empowerment Zones is expected to attract new commercial and residential development interest here due to state and local tax breaks.

WHITE PLAINS-Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide reports it has secured a new 25-year management contract for the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece and that a $57 million renovation of the facility is now underway.

HARRISON, NY-RPW Group Inc. of White Plains has purchased the Harrison Court Medical Center complex here from GE Capital Corp., for $12.8 million, GlobeSt.com has learned.

NEW ROCHELLE-Simone Development Companies reports it has continued to expand its New York metro area portfolio with new commercial ventures on Long Island and Queens valued at $16 million.

STAMFORD, CT-The Ashforth Company has acquired 707 Summer St., a three-story, 72,000 sf office building here for $9 million and will relocate to approximately 30,000 sf at its new property later this year.

WHITE PLAINS-Pernod Ricard USA, which previously revealed its intent to move some personnel from New York City to Westchester, has leased more space than originally planned and will occupy at least 48,000 sf here.

WILTON, CT-The Louis Dreyfus Property Group has sold its 10 and 20 Westport Road buildings here, which total approximately 540,000 sf of office space, for $140 million to the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, according to local real estate sources.

STAMFORD, CT-Battered by an economic slowdown that caused a large amount of space to come back on the market for sublease in 2001, Fairfield County office brokers and property owners are hopeful that conditions will improve in 2002.