Silverstein Properties’ casino proposal for New York City, which involves gaming and hospitality companies Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, has revealed its multibillion-dollar vision for a resort in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. 

At the beginning of this month, Silverstein revealed Rush's participation in the proposal. The gaming company located in Chicago manages Rivers Casinos in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Upstate New York. Rush partners with Greenwood and its two Parx casinos in Pennsylvania as potential operators and managers of Silverstein’s casino complex if it secures one of the three downstate New York casino licenses expected to be granted by the conclusion of 2025. 

Although the other seven anticipated NYC bids have been developed over several months, if not years, emphasizing the community and economic advantages they would offer, Silverstein is just now revealing detailed plans. 

Hell's Kitchen Gaming House 

Silverstein Properties, held by 93-year-old real estate magnate Larry Silverstein, renowned for his role in the World Trade Center and the subsequent construction of One World Trade, aims to erect a 785-foot tower on a 2.1-acre parcel he possesses at 11th Ave. located between 40th and 41st Streets. 

Renderings for the Avenir project feature 1,000 hotel rooms, various restaurants and bars, a food hall, a concert hall with 1,000 seats, 100 affordable housing units, and 600,000 square feet of gaming space spread across eight levels of the impressive building. Silverstein states that the initiative, once approved, would generate 4,000 union construction positions and over 5,000 permanent union roles.

"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, told 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 Properties appears to be prioritizing its casino proposal now that Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, which were previously seen as strong competitors, have withdrawn. Both firms encountered significant local opposition, specifically on Long Island at the Nassau Coliseum and in Hudson Yards West in a bid involving billionaire Stephen Ross. 

Saks Fifth Avenue, viewed as a long shot, abandoned its Midtown Manhattan boutique casino idea in April. 

Political Advances 

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board has mandated that casino proposals be submitted by June 27. For consideration, a bid must obtain approval from its Community Advisory Committee, demonstrate adherence to all necessary state and local zoning regulations, and submit a $1 million application fee to the New York State Gaming Commission to offset costs related to examining the proposal. 

Every CAC needs to endorse the casino proposal with a two-thirds majority requirement. In NYC bids, a CAC is made up of six members — the state governor, the NYC mayor, the relevant state senator, assemblymember, borough president, and city councilmember. 

For bids outside NYC, the five-person CAC includes the governor, the relevant county executive, a state senator, an assemblymember, and the highest-ranking elected official of the locality. 

Billionaire Steve Cohen is investing millions in lobbying state and local officials to gain support for his casino proposal with Hard Rock International at his Citi Field MLB stadium in Queens. Resorts World New York City, regarded as a leader alongside MGM Resorts’ Empire City, has paid more than $1 million in gaming lobbyist fees. 

Bally’s Corp., Soloviev Group, and the group backing the Coney Island proposal have invested significantly in advertising their resort projects to lawmakers. 

Silverstein Properties, on the other hand, is one of the most politically linked companies in all of New York.