Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment will partner with Hyatt in its planned mixed-use casino development near Hudson Yards, the groups will announce Friday.
The Avenir, if chosen as the winner of a competitive bidding war for a casino license in New York City and approved for development, will operate under the Destination by Hyatt brand and will include 1,000 rooms and suites. The project seeks to capitalize on its proximity to the Javits Center and mix gaming, business tourism, and hospitality in one development.
Earlier plans for The Avenir revealed that developers plan to include 100 permanently affordable apartments in the development and incorporate a 1,000-seat performance hall and casino. The Avenir and Hyatt have entered into a letter-of-intent for the development to operate under the Destination by Hyatt brand, subject to entering into a customary definitive agreement. With the partnership, members of the Hyatt loyalty program will be able to earn points for their stay.
“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 President of Silverstein Properties Tal Kerret in a statement. “New York City is competing globally for exhibitions, conventions and meetings. 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 groups seeking a casino license in Midtown include SL Green Realty Corporation and Caesars Entertainment, which hope to build a casino in Times Square, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, which are seeking a property near Citi Field, and Bally’s, which is betting on a location in The Bronx.
The Avenir plan is separate from the Hudson Yards casino bid backed by Wynn Resorts and Related Companies, which withdrew the casino plan earlier this spring.
Many of the proposals have faced community pushback, with residents expressing concerns over noise pollution, traffic, and resident displacement.
The proposals for Manhattan have emphasized proximity to commerce and entertainment as benefits to the plans. For Hyatt, the development of a hotel in a location already sought after by tourists presents a unique opportunity.
“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, reinforcing our commitment to offering authentic, immersive experiences in the places that resonate most with our guests and members,” said Dan Hansen, head of Americas Development at Hyatt.
The Avenir has the support of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the union for hotel and gaming workers in New York and Northern New Jersey, for the new jobs it will bring to the city.
“We know from experience that casinos create thousands of permanent, high-quality jobs,” said President of the HTC Rich Maroko in a statement. “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. We’re thrilled to see this project enter the bidding process.”
If approved for development, The Avenir will partner with Union Square Hospitality HQ as a training and development partner for the project’s staff. The Avenir also plans to implement workforce development programs in the city in partnership with Hyatt.
