Real estate developer Larry Silverstein has expanded his bid to develop a casino on Manhattan’s Far West Side by bringing on Rush Street Gaming, a key operator in New York’s gaming industry, as a partner.
Silverstein Properties, known for rebuilding the World Trade Center site, is proposing a 46-story mixed-use complex called The Avenir, to be located at 11th Avenue and 41st Street. The site, a 92,000-square-foot vacant parcel just north of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, is fully owned and shovel-ready, the developer 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,” said Larry Silverstein, founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties.
Rush Street Gaming operates Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady and joins Greenwood Gaming, which runs two casinos in Pennsylvania, on the bid. The expanded team aims to strengthen the group’s case for one of the three downstate New York casino licenses up for grabs.
“Our past projects in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Schenectady were each the first destination casinos in their respective cities,” said Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rush Street Gaming. “We look forward to working with Silverstein, Greenwood and the Far West Side community on the Avenir.”
The Avenir project is expected to create 4,000 union construction jobs and more than 5,000 permanent union jobs once operational, according to Silverstein Properties.
Silverstein emphasized the long-standing local presence of the development team: “Each of our organizations is family-owned, multi-generational, and deeply committed to the neighborhoods in which we work and live,” he said. “Our company has been part of the West Side for over 40 years.”
Casino bids are due to regulators by June 27. Silverstein’s proposal will face competition from high-profile contenders, including a $12 billion Hudson Yards development from Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, as well as proposals for Times Square, Queens near Citi Field, the Bronx, Coney Island, and the East River waterfront.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/05/19/104975-silverstein-adds-rush-street-to-manhattan-casino-bid-ahead-of-june-deadline
