Hyatt Hotels Corporation has been confirmed as the hospitality partner for The Avenir, a planned mixed-use casino and hotel complex on Manhattan’s Far West Side. This partnership places the project under the Destination by Hyatt brand, marking a significant step as The Avenir team continues its pursuit of one of New York City’s sought-after downstate casino licenses.
On June 20th, 2025, the consortium behind The Avenir—comprising Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment—announced they have signed a letter of intent with Hyatt to operate a 1,000-room luxury hotel within the proposed development. The Destination by Hyatt brand, known for its immersive urban experiences, aims to attract tourists and business travelers alike.
Situated near the Javits Center, The Avenir aims to be a focal point for tourism, business events, and entertainment. The development plans include a hotel, gaming floor, 100 units of affordable housing, and a 1,000-seat performance venue.
Tal Kerret, President of Silverstein Properties, highlighted the strategic value of partnering with Hyatt, expressing enthusiasm for leveraging World of Hyatt’s 56 million members to attract new business to Manhattan’s Far West Side. He noted that the collaboration enhances New York’s global competitiveness for major conventions and exhibitions.
Dan Hansen, Hyatt’s Head of Americas Development, described the project as a key milestone in Hyatt’s strategic expansion, emphasizing the commitment to providing authentic, immersive experiences in prime travel destinations.
The Avenir’s developers aim to emulate Hyatt’s success with integrated hotel-event spaces in cities like Chicago.
Beyond tourism, the developers are focusing on union partnerships and workforce initiatives to gain public and regulatory support. The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC), representing over 40,000 hotel and casino workers in New York and Northern New Jersey, has endorsed the plan.
HTC President Rich Maroko stated, “We know from experience that casinos create thousands of permanent, high-quality jobs. The Avenir is an impressive proposal that would bring 5,000 casino and hospitality jobs to Manhattan’s Far West Side and boost the city and state’s economy. We’re excited to see this project advance in the bidding process.”
The team plans to work with Union Square Hospitality HQ for training programs, and additional workforce development partnerships with Hyatt will focus on expanding career opportunities for New Yorkers.
The Avenir joins a competitive field for one of the three downstate casino licenses New York State is expected to award. Other proposals include a Times Square casino by SL Green Realty and Caesars Entertainment, a Queens bid near Citi Field by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, and a Bronx-based proposal from Bally’s Corporation.
Despite previous interest from Wynn Resorts and Related Companies for a Hudson Yards casino, they have withdrawn, offering The Avenir a unique opportunity.
While the project has strong financial and institutional backing, community concerns about potential increases in noise, traffic, and neighborhood disruption remain. The Avenir’s location near major commercial infrastructure is considered a key advantage, providing easy access to existing tourism flows.
If approved, The Avenir would not only bring a luxury gaming destination to the area but also contribute substantial private investment to the local economy.
According to the latest update from the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, the licensing timeline includes the application deadline on June 27, 2025, followed by a September 30, 2025, deadline for Community Advisory Committee (CAC) approvals. The Board expects to make a decision by December 1, 2025, with licenses anticipated to be issued by December 31, 2025.
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com