Big changes may be coming to Manhattan’s far west side. Silverstein Properties, the team behind the World Trade Center redevelopment, is planning a new project, known as the Avenir. It will be a massive casino and entertainment skyscraper, designed to rise 785 feet over the city skyline.

The original plan for 2023-2024 was to construct two twin towers that were supposed to be linked by a sky bridge around the 45th floor. The latest update of the project for 2025 includes a single 45-story tower, resting over a sculptural nine-story podium. The base of the tower will include green rooftops, art installations, and many more, redefining luxury living and entertainment in the city.

The Avenir will feature dramatic skyline views and cutting-edge architecture. It will feature world-class dining and high-end retail, as well as private wellness facilities. The tower would provide 1000 hotel rooms, event spaces, and restaurants.

One of the most important features of this grand tower is an exclusive casino, proposed to be located within a nine-story sculptural podium, at the base of the Avenir skyscraper. Despite the growing popularity of online gambling, with the best online casinos with huge game choices and fast withdrawal times just a click away, developers are confident that the city is ready for something big, right in the heart of Manhattan. The exclusive casino will have around 600,000 square feet, making it one of the largest gaming venues in NYC.

Silverstein Properties has teamed up with two gaming operators, Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming. Together, they will bring over 5,500 permanent jobs for the project, 4,000 union construction jobs, and billions in economic activity for the state.

The project will also bring various community benefits: a walkable, all-electric design, a major public plaza, and 100 units of permanently affordable housing. This will be the first housing among New York’s casino bids. The developers hope that these community investments will give them an advantage in the tough competition for one of only three downstate casino licenses.

Silverstein’s proposal isn’t the only big idea on the table. They’re up against some serious competitors, like the flashy Times Square casino backed by Caesars, and Jay-Z Roc Nation, as well as a Coney Island project that wants to breathe life into the boardwalk. There is also a massive resort plan near Citi Field, which is led by Mets owner Steve Cohen.

The final decision is expected by the end of the year and will come from the State Gaming Facility Location Board, and the New York State Gaming Commission. However, the Avenir’s advanced design, sustainable materials, pedestrian-friendly hub, and visually engaging look, make it a standout competitor.

Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: this project could revolutionize the New York landscape. It aims to blend world-class entertainment with meaningful community benefits.

If the Avenir secures a license, it could set a new standard for urban casino development, showing that luxury can be a responsibility.