Stunning new video shows what a proposed glitzy $12 billion casino complex in Hudson Yards will look like while walking the High Line.
The animated rendering of the ambitious Manhattan project by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts is partly aimed at countering opposition from advocates of the High Line park and other critics who claim the plan would be too intrusive and obstruct views.
The video tries to make the case that the proposed complex — including a 5.6 acre park and spacious greenery between and around the buildings — actually blends in well with the High Line and the waterfront.
The Related/Wynn project — Wynn New York City — would be erected atop a former graveyard for LIRR trains.
The plan features an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River that would house a gaming facility and hotel. Office buildings, apartment towers, and the spacious 5.6-acre park would surround the gleaming casino skyscraper.
Tourists walking along the High Line would wander directly past the site and could enter the massive resort between West 30th Street and 33rd streets and 11th and 12 avenues.
The tower housing the casino would include street-level shops and restaurants, with gaming facilities on the second and third floors. Plans call for a pool deck and green and then 1,700 hotel rooms.
The casino would make up just 3.6% of the square footage of the entire project but be its revenue generator and jobs creator.
Proponents say the centerpiece of the development would be the proposed Hudson Green, a 5.6-acre public green park designed by the award-winning teams of Hollander Design and Sasaki, as part of the a master plan devised by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
“The next phase of Hudson Yards is a $12 billion investment in New York’s future that, if approved by City and State officials, will create tens of thousands of jobs, 1,500 units of housing including hundreds of new affordable apartments, and billions in much-needed revenue for the City and State,” said Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, in a statement.
“At the center of it all is Hudson Green, a 5.6-acre rolling green park with incredible river vistas, hundreds of trees for hot summer days, gardens, a playground and a dog park,’ Green said.
“We truly believe it will be an oasis that becomes the new calling card of the neighborhood. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more details of the extensive, long-term economic and community benefits our vision for Hudson Yards and Wynn New York City will bring to New York.”
The project complies with approved uses in the 2009 zoning plan for Hudson Yards, even with its office tower and casino, Related officials said.
“It’s easy for leaders to talk about wanting to create jobs and invest in the economy and infrastructure, but our proposal to develop Hudson Yards West would actually do it, which is why it continues to garner important support from unions, trade organizations and small businesses,” said Bruce Beal Jr., president of Related Companies.
“Finishing the undeveloped yards will not only create 35,000 unionized construction jobs during development, but 5,000 permanent union careers in the resort, which is the economic engine that supports all of these wonderful community benefits, including the affordable housing, public park and transportation improvements.”
The state is considering awarding up to three casino licenses in the downstate region, including New York City, Long Island and northern suburbs. The winning bidders would have to pay at least a $500 million upfront license fee for the privilege to run a casino.
Wynn New York City must face review from city officials under the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure. Local community boards and some elected officials have expressed misgivings about the project.
The state Gaming Commission is expected to award licenses by Dec. 31, 2025, after review by local and statewide siting boards.
Other proposals still have issues that need time to be worked through.
Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plan with Hard Rock to land one of the licenses and build an $8 billion casino/entertainment complex next to CitiField requires a state law for the right to do so.
The lots around the ballpark are now considered parkland, and the legislature has to pass a bill to reclassify the property for commercial use.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the Queens communities around the ballpark, opposes the legislation and the project.
Other casino bidders are grappling with land-use issues or community opposition, too, including the SL Green/Caesars Entertainment plan for Times Square and the Thor Equities and partners’ proposal for Coney Island in Brooklyn.
Two existing slots parlors — Genting Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Resorts Empire City at Yonkers raceway — intend to bid for licenses to expand and offer table games. They are already on government-owned property and don’t face land issues encountered by others.
