Rush Street Gaming signs up as casino operator behind the proposed Avenir in New York City
Rush Street Gaming would be the casino operator of Avenir casino in New York City, the proposed development fronted by Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming, looking to open up on Manhattan’s Far West Side, if it wins out on one of three New York City casino licenses.
If successful, Avenir would boast a 600,000 square foot gaming, entertainment, and restaurant complex. The project site is located on 92,000 square feet of undeveloped land at 41st Street and 11th Avenue, just north of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It is fully owned and controlled by Silverstein and is shovel-ready upon approval. The site is also free of complex logistical hurdles, such as land-use approvals, the need for residential or commercial displacement, and the need for subsidies from the government to construct a large support deck. The project will create 4,000 well-paid union construction jobs and more than 5,000 permanent union jobs with industry leading benefits. It will also generate billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic activity for the State and the City, as well as funding specifically for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Lisa Silverstein, chief executive of Silverstein Properties, said: “We are excited to announce our partnership with Rush Street Gaming, as well as Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment to create a home-grown entertainment complex on Manhattan’s Far West Side.”
“Each of our organizations is family-owned, multi-generational, and deeply committed to the neighborhoods in which we work and live. Our company has been part of the West Side for over 40 years, and we look forward to continuing to work together on a project that will bring much needed jobs, tax revenue, economic development, and affordable housing to the City and State.”
Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, added: “We greatly admire what Silverstein Properties has accomplished in terms of developing important projects in New York City. Our past projects in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Schenectady were each the first destination casinos in their respective cities, and we look forward to working with Silverstein, Greenwood and the Far West Side community on the Avenir.”
Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Chief Executive Eric Hausler added: “We are excited to join forces with Silverstein Properties and Rush Street Gaming to create a gaming, leisure, and entertainment destination that will reflect the unique character and spirit of New York City, and attract visitors from all over the globe.
“We are a company with deep roots in our communities. Over the past two years, we have enjoyed working with the Hell’s Kitchen, Hudson Yards, and Far West Side communities’ elected, civic, and labor leaders to create something that serves the neighborhood and its residents.”
A national leader in destination casino development and operations, Rush Street has developed six destination casinos in the US and Canada since its founding in 1998. The firm has significant experience in New York State, where it developed, owns, and operates Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady. Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is part of Mohawk Harbor, a thriving mixed-use development in the Capital Region, on the site of a former long-closed locomotive plant. Rush Street will operate the Avenir, and complement Silverstein’s existing gaming partner, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, which will remain a partner, advisor, and investor on the project. Rush Street has been working with Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming on the project for more than a year.
