Caesars Entertainment has unveiled a preview of its ambitious Manhattan casino plan, to be called Caesars Palace Times Square. During an upcoming interview on News12 Connecticut’s “Power & Politics” show with Tara Rosenblum, Caesars CEO Thomas Reeg said Caesars had already paid over $100 million in sports wagering taxes to the state, but the Times Square casino would surpass that amount by “a healthy margin.”
Caesars is one of 10 operators vying for three downstate casino licenses, with many expecting two to go to the current slot-only operators, MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York in Queens.
Reeg personally guided Rosenblum on a tour of the prospective site for the envisioned Caesars Palace Times Square, a 52-story high-rise that would include around 250,000 square feet of gaming space and 950 hotel rooms.
Reeg shared the company’s vision of luxurious terraces with food and beverage bars, all with killer views of Times Square.
To address local opposition from the theater district, Reeg said the Caesars Rewards loyalty program would allow members to redeem points for gift cards valid at the theaters and neighboring businesses.
Meanwhile, developers of the proposed casino at Hudson Yards, a partnership between Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, revealed a revised $10 billion casino bid with several new elements.
Related Companies revealed the revised plan exclusively to the New York Post. It comprises a casino mega-complex including a 3 million-square-foot Wynn-branded resort tower, including a 1,700-room hotel to serve the Javits Center.
“It will be one of the most incredible tall buildings in New York City,” Related CEO Jeff Blau told the Post. The new skyscraper would house a 250,000-square-foot casino along with high-end restaurants and shops.
Blau also revealed a surprise addition to the plan for 6.5 undeveloped acres of Hudson Yards—a second skyscraper housing a 2 million-square-foot office tower.
Related also plans to retain a previously announced 5.5-acre public green park connected to the High Line, a much-needed public school for the area, and a 1-million square-foot rental apartment tower that will include 329 “affordable” units.
“For these reasons we feel we’re in a good position with the best proposal,” Blau told the Post. “We’re looking to win.”
