Rush Street Gaming Jumps into New York Casino Race with Avenir Project

^{The initial design concepts for a casino-resort at 514 Eleventh Avenue in New York City. (Rendering courtesy of Silverstein Properties)}

The Avenir, a casino proposal vying for one of three downstate New York gaming licenses, announced that it is partnering with casino operator Rush Street Gaming in its bid.

Rush Street Gaming joins Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment as operator partners alongside Silverstein Properties in the bid to place a casino near the Jacob Javits Convention Center on the Far West Side of Manhattan.

Powerhouse Developer Partners with Experienced New York Operator

While Silverstein is a premier real estate developer in New York City – it is perhaps best known for rebuilding the former site of the World Trade Center – The Avenir had mostly slid under the radar while nearly a dozen competing projects have generated headlines over the past two years.

But while other proposals are being dropped and potential operators have backed of the race, Silverstein now appears to be strengthening its bid just before the deadline to submit an application to New York’s gaming authorities.

“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,” Larry Silverstein, founder of Silverstein Properties, said in a statement released on May 15. 

Greenwood Gaming is the Pennsylvania-based owners of Parx Casino near Philadelphia. They partnered with Silverstein Properties as part of The Avenir development in 2023.

“Each of our organizations is family-owned, multi-generational, and deeply committed to the neighborhoods in which we work and live,” Silverstein stressed. “Our company has been a 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.”

While Rush Street Gaming isn’t the same level of powerhouse as Ceasars, Hard Rock, or Genting – all of which are involved in projects that will likely apply for a downstate license – the partnership is still a shrewd one for Silverstein. 

Rush Street operates the Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, one of four upstate New York casinos, meaning state regulators have an existing relationship with the operator.

“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,” Rush Street Gaming CEO Tim Drehkoff said in a statement.

Bids for Three Downstate Licenses Due in June

The Avenir project is planned for a 92,000 square foot vacant space at 11^th Avenue and 41^st Street. According to Silverstein, the company completely owns and controls the site, meaning that the project is “shovel-ready” should it earn a casino license. The proposal includes a casino and a 46-story mixed use complex.

The announcement likely pushes The Avenir back into the pack as a viable contender for a casino license, something that was in doubt after nearly two years with little news or movement on the proposal. Other significant bids include those from racinos in Yonkers and Queens, Steve Cohen’s bid for a Metropolitan Park complex adjacent to Citi Field, and a Caesars-backed proposal for a casino in Times Square.

Bids for the three available downstate licenses are due by June 27. The New York State Gaming Commission is due to award those licenses by the end of 2025.