Greenwood Gaming and Silverstein Properties are collaborating on a casino and hotel proposal for Midtown Manhattan in New York. Both companies are deeply committed to the communities in which they operate. The Avenir project was accepted by the New York Gaming Commission, but certain challenges remain before the final approval.
Partners in community
Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment owns and operates Parx Casino in Pennsylvania. Parx is the largest operator in the Philadelphia region and one of the highest-grossing casinos. The betPARX app is a wholly owned subsidiary of Greenwood Gaming that allows players to play casino games and place sports bets online.
Silverstein Properties is a national real estate investment, development, and management firm. The project site is already owned by Silverstein and will be shovel-ready upon approval. Silverstein Properties has been a driving force for progress in New York City for decades.
License timeline
Renderings of the plans for the project have been presented to planning boards and the local community to secure key zoning approvals. This must take place before the State Gaming Facility Location Board makes its decisions.
As of April 2025, the project hasn’t yet received approval. There are 11 proposals in the running for three new licenses. The deadline for submitting bids has been extended to June 27. State officials will award the licenses by the end of the year.
Overview of the project
The Avenir will be situated on 11th Avenue on the far west side of Manhattan. The site consists of 92,000 square feet of undeveloped land close to the Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods.
The aim of the design is to be eco-friendly, energy efficient, and to fit seamlessly into the surroundings. The iconic architecture will enhance the New York City skyline with two 46-story towers connected by a public sky bridge.
- On the 45th floor will be a performance hall that seats 1,000 people. It will be available for use by the local community, and world-class concerts will also occur there. It will complement rather than compete with Broadway theaters.
- A 1000 luxury hotel rooms will be in the eight-story building.
- A 600,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment complex will be situated at the base of the building. The casino itself will feature a state-of-the-art design with a variety of games, cutting-edge LED displays, and gaming screens that help to prevent digital eye strain.
- At the base of the building will also be at least 12 full-service restaurants and a food hall showcasing local restaurants.
- Public exhibition space will be reserved for local artists to display their work.
- Over 100 units of permanently affordable housing will also be available.
Benefits of the project
The developers are committed to working together with the local community. They want the Avenir project to serve the neighborhood and its residents.
The project could fuel economic growth and tourism in New York. The development will be in an underutilized part of Manhattan’s West Side without any need for commercial or residential displacement.
Another benefit is the affordable housing the project will offer. The housing will be available through the New York housing lottery system.
The project is also likely to create about 4,000 union construction jobs and 5,500 permanent union jobs.
The site is in an area rich with history, character, and opportunity. It has important connections to the City’s transportation systems. The Avenir project could elevate and connect the area in new ways. It could create a hub of employment, affordability, entertainment, and engaging urban experiences.
