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Saks povlači ponudu za kockarnicu Fifth Av s još tri ponude za Manhattan suočene s utrkom s vremenom

Whilst one Manhattan casino blueprint has been pulled altogether, another three could be in danger of missing out on bidding for one of three downstate licences due to the state’s Gaming Commission’s failure to start the environmental assessments needed to progress.

Saks Fifth Avenue has confirmed it has officially withdrawn from the process to concentrate on ‘other strategic priorities.’ It has planned to use its top three floors for a 1920s-inspired casino, but it faced local opposition from Manhattan’s Community Board 5.

Sarah Helwig, Vice President at Morningstar Credit, said: “The failed casino bid doesn’t come as a major shock given the obstacles to get a license.” 

Another three proposals also set in Manhattan could be about to miss the September 30 deadline for resolving any issues with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). SL Green’s in Times Square, which includes Caesars, Silverstein Properties’ near Hudson Yards and the Soloviev Group’s near the United Nations could all miss the deadline for getting land-use approvals.

A spokesperson for SL Green said, however: “We are not concerned about the ability to meet the SEQRA deadline and look forward to submitting our bid. We’re confident the state can meet the deadline as well. Any further delay would be unwarranted.”

Local media reports have suggested that the Soloviev Group, which is hoping to build a casino on the East Side of New York City’s Manhattan, and Silverstein Properties, which has Hudson Yards earmarked for its development, Avenir, a hotel, casino, entertainment and residential complex , could be disqualified due to issues with SEQRA.