Developer Promises Affordable Housing if Granted N.Y.C. Casino License
October 19, 2023 by The Soloviev Group, vying for a casino license near the United Nations in Manhattan, has proposed Freedom Plaza, a project that includes 1,325 apartments, 40% of which would be permanently below market-rate rent, making it the largest affordable housing initiative in the area in a decade. The plan, conditional on obtaining the casino license, also features two residential towers, a 1,200-room hotel, retail and dining spaces, a democracy museum, and 4.7 acres of green space. Despite previous local opposition due to traffic concerns and skepticism, the new proposal addresses housing and green space needs. The casino, planned mostly underground, is essential for the project’s financial viability. The developer is partnering with Mohegan, a casino operator, and the Bjarke Ingels Group for design, and aims to begin construction in 2025 if approved.