Silverstein, Rush Street and Greenwood team up with Hyatt for Manhattan casino bid

Real estate firm Silverstein Properties and gaming partners Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment have announced a partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corp. for their proposed The Avenir casino project near Hudson Yards in Manhattan. 

If awarded one of New York City’s limited casino licenses, the project would operate under Hyatt’s Destination brand, featuring 1,000 hotel rooms and suites. The planned mixed-use development will also include a casino, a 1,000-seat performance venue, and 100 permanently affordable apartments.

“We are very pleased to be working with Hyatt on this exciting development and tap into World of Hyatt’s 56 million members to help drive new business to Manhattan’s Far West Side,” said Tal Kerret, president of Silverstein Properties. “We’ve assembled an extraordinary team of food and beverage partners, and now a leading hotel brand that will help support and add to New York’s vital tourism and convention industries.”

The Avenir is positioned to capitalize on its proximity to the Javits Center, with developers aiming to attract convention-goers and business tourists to the Far West Side. Hyatt said the project would reinforce its commitment to offering “authentic, immersive experiences.”

“This mixed-use project, which will include a casino, luxury hotel, and more, would represent a significant milestone in our strategic expansion in key travel destinations,” said Dan Hansen, head of Americas development at Hyatt.

The Avenir is among several proposals competing for a downstate casino license. Other bidders include SL Green and Caesars Entertainment for a Times Square location; New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International for a site near Citi Field; and Bally’s, which has proposed a project in the Bronx. Wynn Resorts and Related Companies had previously put forward a Hudson Yards casino plan but withdrew it earlier this year.

The Avenir project has secured the support of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the union representing hotel and gaming workers in New York and New Jersey.

“The Avenir is an extremely impressive proposal that would bring 5,000 casino and hospitality jobs to the Far West Side of Manhattan and would boost the city and state’s economy,” said Rich Maroko, president of the union. “We know from experience that casinos create thousands of permanent, high-quality jobs.”

As part of its workforce development commitments, the Avenir will collaborate with Union Square Hospitality HQ to train staff and launch employment programs in partnership with Hyatt.

While the Avenir and other projects tout economic and tourism benefits, casino proposals across the city have drawn community opposition over concerns such as increased traffic, noise, and the potential displacement of local residents.