Silverstein Expands Casino Plans on Manhattan’s Far West Side

Larry Silverstein, the developer behind the World Trade Center, is intensifying his efforts to establish a casino on Manhattan’s Far West Side. His team is already connected to the Empire State’s gaming landscape.

Silverstein Properties will partner with Rush Street, the gaming operator known for Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady. They plan to construct a casino and a mixed-use complex, Avenir, at vacant lots located at 11th and 41st Streets.

“We’re excited about our collaboration with Rush Street Games and the introduction of Greenwood Games and Entertainment to create a unique entertainment hub on Manhattan’s Far West Side,” said Larry Silverstein in a statement.

He also noted, “Both our organizations are family-owned and multi-generational, dedicated to the communities where we operate. We’ve been part of this area for over 40 years and are eager to pursue projects that foster employment, generate tax revenue, and enhance economic development, including affordable housing.”

By June 27th, regulatory authorities are expected to award up to three casino licenses in the Downstate New York region.

Rush Street is also involved with Greenwood Games, which runs two casinos in Pennsylvania.

Tim Drekov, CEO of Rush Street Games, remarked, “Our previous projects in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Schenectady each became the inaugural destination casinos for those cities. We look forward to collaborating with the West Side community along with Silverstein, Greenwood, and Avenir.”

The Avenir project is set on 92,000 square feet of available land, situated just north of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, and is fully owned by Silverstein, ready for construction pending approval.

Developers anticipate that building this complex will yield 4,000 union construction jobs and over 5,000 permanent union positions once completed.

Competition for the three casino licenses is fierce. For instance, Wynn Resorts is proposing a massive $12 billion casino project at Hudson Yards.

Other casino proposals have emerged for various locations, including Times Square, the East River Waterfront, and Queens near Citi Field, as well as sites in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Coney Island.