World Trade Center Developer Releases NY Casino Renderings

Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment finally released renderings of their planned multi-billion-dollar casino-resort in New York.

The plans would completely redefine Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen with a 785-foot skyscraper. Inside the building, designed by the World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein’s firm, would also be a 1,000-room hotel, restaurants, a food hall, and the Avenir casino.

Silverstein already owns the 2.1-acre site at 11th Ave. between 40th and 41st Streets.

Plans for the facility

On top of the basic accommodations for the Avenir, renderings also revealed a 1,000-seat concert hall, 100 affordable housing units, and 600,000 square feet of gaming space spanning eight stories inside the building.

Silverstein estimated 4,000 temporary union construction jobs and at least 5,000 permanent union jobs if the casino receives approval from state officials.

Over the last 40 years, we have invested heavily in this neighborhood, and care deeply about the fabric of this community,” Lisa Silverstein, CEO of Silverstein Properties, said, per the New York Post. “We design as though the neighborhood is a campus, architecturally tying all the elements so they work seamlessly together. 

“It will bring more security, enterprise, and entertainment on a level that doesn’t exist in one establishment and become a sophisticated addition to the New York skyline.”

Silverstein, 93, is late to the game with his proposal for one of three New York licenses that will be awarded before the end of the year. Other bidders, such as New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, shared their plans months or years ago.

Rush Street Gaming, which operates Rivers Casinos in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Virginia, was added to the project last month. Greenwood, a hospitality and gaming firm, oversees two Parx casinos in Pennsylvania and would share management responsibilities with Rush Street.

Taking advantage of the times

Although the Silverstein bid was late to the party, it benefitted from the recent withdrawals of bids by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts in Hudson Yards and Las Vegas Sands in Nassau County.

A proposed facility at Saks Fifth Avenue also shut down its group in April.

Casino license applications are due to the New York Gaming Facility Location Boards by June 27. Applications may not be submitted until they receive approval from their Community Advisory Committee, meet the necessary zoning requirements, and pay a $1 million application fee to the New York State Gaming Commission. 

New York City committees consist of the state Governor, Kathy Hochul, the New York City mayor, Eric Adams, a state senator, an assemblymember, the borough president, and a city councilmember. Two-thirds of the board must approve the application for it to advance.

Silverstein is competing against seven other bidders with planned locations including Times Square, Queens, The Bronx, Coney Island, and Brooklyn.