Dezeen Magazine

A residential and entertainment complex in New York City

Two linked skyscrapers proposed for casino complex in New York City

Real estate developer Silverstein Properties has enlisted architecture studio CetraRuddy for a proposed entertainment complex near New York City's Hudson Yards neighbourhood.

Designed in collaboration with Las Vegas-based architecture studio Steelman Partners and New York firm CetraRuddy, the project will feature two 46-storey skyscrapers.

A rendering of a casino and residential tower
Real estate developer Silverstein Properties has proposed a residential and entertainment complex near Hudson Yards

Called the Avenir, the project's proposed site is a 92,000-square-foot lot of undeveloped land just north of New York's Javits Convention Center. Renderings show a series of glass-clad forms with metallic details.

The complex will house a hotel, affordable housing units, and a theatre atop an eight-story casino and entertainment complex.

A building with two towers with a glass facade
The proposal features a casino, hotel, theatre, restaurants, and affordable housing

According to the developers, affordable housing is a "cornerstone" of the property, which will feature more than 100 apartments that will be available through New York City's housing lottery.

"Our city and state face a confluence of historic challenges right now,” said Silverstein Properties chairman Larry A Silverstein.

"These include a housing crisis, public safety challenges, budget shortfalls, and a commercial real estate market in transition."

The residential units will feature a mixture of unit types and sizes.

An entrance to a building at night
The building features two 46-story high towers atop a casino complex

1,000 luxury hotel rooms are also proposed to be housed in the skyscrapers.

The towers will be connected by an enclosed walkway at the 45th floor, which will feature a 1,000-seat performance hall that will host local community and public performances.

A rendering of a glass facade with curved corners
The project will feature 100 apartments and 1,000 luxury hotel rooms

The 600,000-square-foot (55,741 square metres) casino at the project's base will feature at least 12 restaurants, gaming and entertainment spaces.

According to the developers, the Avenir will feature sustainable design strategies and will be built to the "highest contemporary sustainability standards."

A colorful entrance to a casino with a large glass window
The project will be 1.8-million-square-feet

Silverstein Properties is also exploring strategies to mitigate pollution and smog caused by traffic at the nearby Lincoln Tunnel to lessen its effect on the hotel and surrounding neighbourhood.

The developer will also partner with consulting firms AKRF on environmental impact, traffic, and public safety analysis for the project and Karp Strategies to provide a deeper understanding of the local community.

Upon approval, the project is "shovel ready" according to the team.

A residential unit with city views and a bright painting
Sustainable strategies will be integrated into the building

Silverstein Properties will partner with Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment (Greenwood) and affiliates on the Avenir casino.

Greenwood currently owns and operates Pennsylvania's Parx Casino, which is the "highest-grossing" casino complex in Pennsylvania.

The top of two towers connected with a covered walkway
The proposal hopes to secure one of up to three casino licenses for the greater New York City area

With the project, Silverstein Properties hopes to receive one of up to three casino licenses currently available in the greater New York City region.

The developer is well-known for its development of high-profile architecture projects in the city including the Two World Trade Center skyscrapers that are being built in downtown Manhattan.

The Avenir is one of several projects recently proposed and completed in New York City, including designs for a Penn Station renovation and a glulam bridge addition to the High Line.

The imagery is courtesy of Silverstein Properties.