Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment today announced Hyatt’s Destination by Hyatt as the hospitality brand for The Avenir, a mixed-use entertainment complex proposed for Manhattan’s Far West Side.
The Avenir’s luxury hotel will include 1,000 rooms and suites which will be managed by and branded as The Avenir – under The Destination by Hyatt brand. With its proximity to the Javits Center, The Avenir will significantly enhance the convention industry and create economic synergy between gaming, business tourism and hospitality, according to the company.
“We are very pleased to be working with Hyatt on this exciting development and tap into World of Hyatt’s 56 million members to help drive new business to Manhattan’s Far West Side,” Tal Kerret, president of Silverstein Properties, said in a statement. “New York City is competing globally for exhibitions, conventions and meetings. We’ve assembled an extraordinary team of food and beverage partners, and now a leading hotel brand that will help support and add to New York’s vital tourism and convention industries.”
The suites will have high-quality finishes and floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views of the New York City skyline. The project will also boast a vibrant culinary scene, including full-service restaurants and a food hall showcasing local eateries.
“The Avenir hotel will brilliantly reflect the essence of the Destination by Hyatt brand by honoring and celebrating the unique spirit and magic of the most vibrant city in the world,” said Dan Hansen, head of Americas development, Hyatt. “This mixed-use project, which will include a casino, luxury hotel and more, would represent a significant milestone in our strategic expansion in key travel destinations, reinforcing our commitment to offering authentic, immersive experiences in the places that resonate most with our guests and members.”
The Avenir will ensure that the work of operating the hotel and casino will be performed by union workers. The development is expected to provide 4,000 union construction jobs and nearly 5,000 permanent jobs with benefits and comprehensive workforce training and development initiatives.
“We know from experience that casinos create thousands of permanent, high-quality jobs,” said Rich Maroko, President of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. “The Avenir is an extremely impressive proposal that would bring 5,000 casino and hospitality jobs to the Far West Side of Manhattan and would boost the city and state’s economy. We’re thrilled to see this project enter the bidding process.”
The Avenir recently announced a partnership with Union Square Hospitality HQ as a cornerstone workforce training and development partner in the hospitality and culinary areas. The complex will include a total of five restaurants featuring concepts by renowned hospitality groups – Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) founded by Danny Meyer and STARR Restaurants founded by restaurateur Stephen Starr – as well as local sommelier Yannick Benjamin, celebrated chefs Nancy Silverton and Pim Techamuanvivit, and others. The Avenir’s sixth level will contain a curated food hall with venues from local chefs and restaurateurs and is anticipated to include seating for approximately 700 guests with offerings from local establishments including Don Antonio, Empanada Mama, Sarge’s Delicatessen and Diner, and So & So’s.
The Avenir plans to implement workforce development programs in New York City inspired by Hyatt’s workforce initiatives, according to the company. Hyatt properties have previously worked with NYC Employment & Training Coalition, The Doe Fund and the CUNY Hospitality Hub.