New renderings for the ambitious Caesars Palace Times Square casino complex have been unveiled, planned for 1515 Broadway in Midtown Manhattan.
This elaborate project is a collaboration between SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation, with an investment of $5.4 billion.
The proposal aims to convert the existing 54-story skyscraper into a hotel with 992 guest rooms, featuring a rooftop observatory and various hotel amenities alongside a gaming facility located in the lower levels.
Positioned strategically between West 44th and 45th Streets, Caesars Palace Times Square is one of eight casino proposals vying for three downstate gaming licenses that are set to be awarded before the year ends.
The latest images, first featured on w42st.com, showcase the planned street-level hotel lobby, situated on the upper floors.
A separate lobby for the gaming facility will be set up along Seventh Avenue, with the gaming floor elevated above street level, requiring security checks for patrons.
As part of the design, no gambling activities will be visible from the street.
Guests will find the gaming area topped with a large glass dome, enhanced by gilded columns and slot machines lining the edges.
Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, the guest rooms promise breathtaking panoramic views of the skyline.
Brett Herschenfeld, project lead and executive vice president of SL Green Realty, stated, “With Caesars Palace Times Square, we are bringing an elevated entertainment experience to the world’s greatest entertainment district.”
He emphasized that the design will intentionally differ from a typical Las Vegas casino, noting that no gaming will occur on the ground floor.
Visitors must enter the lobby, undergo security checks, and choose to proceed upstairs to access the gaming area, creating a more deliberate atmosphere suited for gaming rather than an environment enticing impulse gamblers.
Herschenfeld further mentioned that the development intends to minimize retail space and the number of restaurants compared to a standard casino, aiming to direct patronage towards existing local businesses in Times Square.
“The point of this project is to allow all of the small businesses, workers, hotels, Broadway theaters, and venues to benefit from the enormous economic potential of Manhattan’s first-ever live gaming facility,” he stated.
The ground floor will also feature an interactive art display, a distinct theater entrance, and separate lobbies for both hotel guests and casino customers.
According to the renderings, a series of new LED displays will grace the lower levels of the structure, adding to the urban aesthetic.
Additionally, there will be an expansive terrace complete with an outdoor bar, strategically placed to offer stunning views of Times Square and the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop.
One of the renderings illustrates the hotel’s entrance located along West 45th Street adjacent to Shubert Alley.
The development team anticipates that the property will generate more than $7 billion in tax revenue during its first decade.
Furthermore, the project is expected to create approximately 3,800 permanent jobs and contribute around $26 billion in spillover revenue benefiting nearby hotels, theaters, restaurants, and retailers.
Part of their commitment includes an $81 million public safety strategy that will be created in partnership with former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.
If the team secures a gaming license, they plan to allocate $5 million to support the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community.
Of this commitment, $2 million will bolster existing services in Chelsea, while the remainder will aid in establishing a new Center for Excellence in Sexual Health in Hell’s Kitchen.
The timeline for securing the gaming license begins with a decision from the six-member Community Advisory Committee (CAC), with voting scheduled to conclude by September 30, 2025.
Projects that receive a two-thirds majority approval will advance to the final evaluation led by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which will grant the three downstate licenses by the end of this year.
image source from：newyorkyimby
