Local And National Restaurant Partners Revealed For The Avenir, The Proposed Mixed-Use Casino Complex On Manhattan's Far West Side

Proposed entertainment complex would feature dining options designed by world-renowned Danny Meyer / Union Square Hospitality Group and Stephen Starr / STARR Restaurant Group.

The project will also feature an innovative food hall highlighting local Hell’s Kitchen chefs and restaurateurs.

NEW YORK, NY (June 9, 2025) – Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment today announced their restaurant and food partners for The Avenir, a mixed-use entertainment complex proposed for Manhattan’s Far West Side: a mix of locally loved favorites and globally recognized names that are certain to make the project one of New York City’s most exciting culinary destinations. 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 will be a culinary destination with something for everyone,” said Lisa Silverstein, Chief Executive Officer of Silverstein Properties. “There will be a curated dining experience from local chefs and restaurants to globally recognized names including Danny Meyer, Stephen Starr, Nancy Silverton, Pim Techamuanvivit and sommelier Yannick Benjamin. Our interest is to expand the opportunity from entertainment to a journey’s end for destination cuisine traversing Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and America. We’re excited to offer superb options for all in a beautiful setting.”

Danny Meyer — Founder of USHG.

DINING AT THE AVENIR

USHG, founded by Danny Meyer in 1985 with the opening of the legendary Union Square Cafe, has become a cornerstone of New York City's dining scene. USHG operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars, and cafes, each known for exceptional cuisine and a commitment to hospitality.​ USHG will be a key component of the restaurant and bar development for The Avenir. As part of this partnership, Hospitality Quotient (HQ), USHG’s learning and advisory firm, will provide hospitality training to all employees of The Avenir through on-site workshops and via their digital training platform, HQ+.

“USHG is thrilled to be part of this dynamic project,” said USHG CEO Chip Wade. “We look forward to working collaboratively with Silverstein Properties to help create a one-of-a-kind complex with distinctly New York roots.”

STARR Restaurants is a renowned hospitality group founded by restaurateur Stephen Starr who will be a key leader in The Avenir’s quest to develop the most iconic restaurants and bars. The group operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants in New York City and across several areas, including Philadelphia, Washington D.C., South Florida, and Paris, France. Notable establishments in New York City include Le Coucou, The Clocktower, Pastis, Buddakan, Upland, La Mercerie, and Electric Lemon. Known for creating immersive dining experiences, STARR Restaurants emphasizes theatrical details such as music, lighting, and decor to complement its culinary offerings.

“This is a unique opportunity to create a high-end dining experience in a neighborhood that will attract people from all over the world while serving as a new resource for those living in the neighborhood,” said Stephen Starr, Founder and CEO of STARR Restaurants.

Stephen Starr — Founder of STARR Restaurants —, and Yannick Benjamin — Founder of Wine on Wheels.

In addition to the restaurants operated by USHG and STARR Restaurants, The Avenir will include a collective of acclaimed culinary chefs, experts and establishments:

Yannick Benjamin, a Hell’s Kitchen hospitality professional, is anticipated to join The Avenir as sommelier, with a special focus on the project’s casino bars and lounges. Through his culinary ventures – including his Hell’s Kitchen based wine shop Beaupierre Wines & Spirits, advocacy work, and dedication to inclusivity – Yannick has made a profound impact on the hospitality industry and the broader West Side community.

Nancy Silverton is a celebrated American chef, baker, and author renowned for her significant contributions to the culinary world, particularly in Los Angeles. She will contribute to The Avenir by creating a full-service restaurant as well as a presence in the food hall.

Pim Techamuanvivit is a chef and restaurateur renowned for her innovative approach to traditional Thai cuisine. She is the owner of Nari, Kamin, and Michelin-starred Kin Khao restaurants in San Francisco, and became the executive chef of Michelin-starred Nahm in Bangkok in 2019. Beyond opening a world-class Thai restaurant in The Avenir, she will play a key role with The Avenir’s food and beverage incubator initiative, providing mentorship and support to restaurant and hospitality businesses from Hell’s Kitchen.

“As a Hell’s Kitchen native, I am delighted to bring my passion and expertise to this exciting new development,” said Yannick Benjamin, Founder of Wine on Wheels.

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. Local establishments to date participating in the food hall include:

●      Don Antonio – a Hell’s Kitchen pizza destination.

●      Empanada Mama – Colombian Specialties in Hell’s Kitchen and beyond.

●      Sarge’s Delicatessen and Diner – a cherished NYC institution.

●      So & So's – a Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood piano bar and restaurant.

“Don Antonio has been serving authentic Neapolitan pizza to the residents and visitors of Hell’s Kitchen since 2012,” said Giorgia Caporuscio, owner of Don Antonio. “We are excited to expand our family’s tradition of making exceptional pizza to The Avenir, which will bring even more vibrancy to the neighborhood.”

Chip Wade — CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group —, and Giorgia Caporuscio — owner of Don Antonio.

Other restaurants will include:

Sala De Despiece, a modern Spanish restaurant located in Madrid's Chamberí district, renowned for its innovative approach to tapas and delivering an immersive dining experience. The Avenir will be their first location in the United States.

“We’re extremely proud of assembling such an impressive team,” said Dino Fusco, Chief Operating Officer of Silverstein Properties. “In particular, USHG and STARR Restaurants helped energize Downtown Manhattan and we look forward to bringing that dynamic to the Far West Side.”

ABOUT THE AVENIR

Designed by architects CetraRuddy and Steelman Partners, The Avenir is a 785-foot-tall mixed-use complex with a 1,000-room hotel, first-class casino, more than 12 restaurants and bars, conference and meeting spaces, a spa and fitness center, outdoor pool, a boutique entertainment venue, and a community art gallery. The Avenir will create 4,000 construction jobs, more than 5,000 permanent jobs, and numerous opportunities for local business participation if approved.

The proposed 92,000-square-foot site, on 41st Street and 11th Avenue, is an ideal location for a new hotel to accommodate visitors, promote tourism, and support and attract conventions and other events to the adjacent Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The Avenir will be built to the highest energy efficiency standards; will be all-electric with no fossil fuels on-site; built to the highest contemporary sustainability standards; and will include a number of environmentally friendly components including energy efficient building systems, high-recycled content and renewable construction materials.

The Avenir would generate substantial fiscal benefits for New York City and New York State, fostering economic growth with new jobs during construction and operation, and attracting new visitors, bolstering financial support for local businesses.

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About Silverstein Properties

Silverstein Properties is a privately held, full-service real estate development, investment, and management firm based in New York. Founded in 1957 by Chairman Larry Silverstein, the company has developed, owned, and managed more than 45 million square feet of commercial, residential, retail, and hotel space. High-profile projects include 7 World Trade Center, the first LEED-certified office tower in New York City (2006); 4 World Trade Center (2013); Four Seasons Walt Disney Resort (2014); the Four Seasons Downtown and 30 Park Place (2016); One West End (2017); and 3 World Trade Center (2018).

About USHG

Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) has created some of New York’s most beloved restaurants and bars, which offer outstanding food delivered with its signature warmth and hospitality. Founded by Danny Meyer with the opening of Union Square Cafe in 1985, later adding other acclaimed restaurants including Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Maialino, Ci Siamo, and Daily Provisions, the company extends its innovative approach to hospitality beyond the walls of its eateries. USHG offers operational and hospitality consulting via Hospitality Quotient and its digital learning platform HQ+ and created a growth fund called Enlightened Hospitality Investments. USHG also founded Shake Shack, now a separate public company (NYSE: SHAK). USHG has long supported its communities through hunger relief and civic organizations. USHG holds an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards and has earned numerous accolades for its distinctive style of hospitality.  

About STARR Restaurants

Founded in 1995 by Stephen Starr, Philadelphia-based STARR Restaurants is one of the largest multi-concept restaurant groups in the United States. STARR Restaurants brings a world of flavor to a group of restaurants as diverse as they are daring. From Latin America to Asia, from the US to the UK and beyond, STARR awakens tastes and enlivens palates with creative interpretations of rich cooking traditions from around the world. Over the last two decades, STARR has transformed Philadelphia into one of the most vibrant restaurant cities in the U.S. STARR’s trend-setting success in Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC, Florida and beyond has earned multiple honors, including “Restaurateur of the Year” from both Bon Appétit and Zagat and “Outstanding Restaurateur” from the James Beard Foundation. In 2017, two STARR restaurants, New York City’s Le Coucou and The Clocktower, have been awarded Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation and a Michelin Star, respectively.

About Rush Street Gaming

Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and currently operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Des Plaines, Illinois; Portsmouth, Virginia; and Schenectady, New York. All Rush Street Gaming casinos have been voted a “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members. Rush Street Gaming affiliates also developed and previously operated the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Canada.

About Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment

Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment and affiliates own Parx Casino, the number one revenue-generating casino property in Pennsylvania. Parx Casino is conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia on Street Road in Bensalem, Bucks County. Parx features over 180,000 square feet of gaming and sports wagering space with 3,000 slot machines, 148 live table games, and 48 poker tables in a private room; live thoroughbred horse racing and simulcasting; Xcite Center, a 1,500-seat live entertainment venue; nine restaurants and bars; and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. In 2019, Parx Casino launched sports betting with a $10 million world-class sportsbook and online sports betting. Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment and its affiliates currently conduct online casino gaming in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan; and run sports wagering operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, and Maryland under the betPARX brand.