A stunning new video shows what the proposed $12 billion luxury casino complex at Hudson Yards would look like while walking along the High Line.
The animated renderings of Related Companies and Wynn Resorts' ambitious Manhattan Project are also aimed at countering opposition from promoters of the High Line park and other critics who say the plan will be too intrusive and spoil the view.
The video tries to make the case that the proposed complex, which would include a 5.6-acre park and green space between and around the buildings, would actually blend in well with the High Line and the waterfront.
Wynn New York City, a Related/Wynn project, will be built on top of a former LIRR train graveyard.
The plan calls for a gaming facility and hotel in an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River, with the gleaming casino high-rise surrounded by office buildings, condominium towers and a spacious 5.6-acre park.
Tourists walking along the High Line can pass directly by the site and enter the enormous resort between West 30th and 33rd Streets, and 11th and 12th Avenues.
The casino tower would have shops and restaurants on the ground floor and gaming facilities on the second and third floors. Plans also call for a pool deck and lawn, as well as 1,700 hotel rooms.
The casino will take up just 3.6 percent of the project's total area, but it will generate revenue and jobs.
A centerpiece of the development, supporters say, will be the creation of Hudson Green, a 5.6-acre public green space designed by the award-winning team of Hollander Design and Sasaki & Co. as part of a master plan created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
“The next phase of Hudson Yards is a $12 billion investment in New York's future that, if approved by city and state officials, will create tens of thousands of jobs, 1,500 homes, including hundreds of new affordable apartments, and billions of dollars in much-needed revenue for the city and state,” Related Companies CEO Jeff Blau said in a statement.
“At its heart is Hudson Green, a 5.6-acre rolling wooded park with gorgeous river views, hundreds of trees for those hot summer days, gardens, a playground and a dog park,” Blau said.
“We are confident this property will be an oasis that will become a new calling card for the neighborhood, and we look forward to sharing more in the coming months about the far-reaching, long-term economic and community benefits that our vision for Hudson Yards and Wynn New York City will bring to New York.”
Related officials said the project complies with uses approved in Hudson Yards' 2009 zoning plan, which includes an office tower and casino.
“It's easy for leaders to talk about wanting to create jobs and invest in the economy and infrastructure, but our proposal for the Hudson Yards West development would actually do just that, which is why it continues to garner significant support from labor unions, trade groups and small businesses,” said Bruce Beale Jr., president of Related Companies.
“Completing the greenfield yards will not only create 35,000 member construction jobs over the life of the development, but also 5,000 permanent member jobs at the resort, which is an economic engine that supports all these great community benefits, including affordable housing, public parks and improved transportation.”
The state is considering awarding up to three casino licenses for the southern region of the state, which includes New York City, Long Island and the northern suburbs. The winning bidder would have to pay at least $500 million in upfront license fees for the privilege of operating a casino.
Wynn New York City must undergo city review under the Uniform Land Use Review Process. Some local community boards and elected officials have expressed concerns about the project.
The state Gaming Commission is expected to award licenses by December 31, 2025, following review by local and statewide siting committees.
Other proposals still have issues that will take time to resolve.
Mets owner Steve Cohen plans to work with Hard Rock Corp. to acquire a license to build an $8 billion casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field, but needs state legislation to get the rights to do so.
The land around the ballpark is currently considered parkland, and the Legislature would need to pass a bill to reclassify the land for commercial use.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the Queens area surrounding the ballpark, opposes the bill and the project.
Other casino bidders, including the SL Green/Caesars Entertainment plan for Times Square and Thor Equities & Partners' proposal for Brooklyn's Coney Island, have also struggled with land-use issues and community opposition.
Two existing slot parlours — Genting Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Resorts Empire City at Yonkers Raceway — plan to bid for licenses to expand and offer table games. Those parlours are already on government-owned land and don't face the land issues others are facing.
