Stunning video shows what the planned $12 billion casino in New York would look like

A stunning new video shows what a planned glamorous $12 billion casino complex in Hudson Yards will look like while walking on the High Line.

The animated depiction of Related Companies and Wynn Resorts' ambitious Manhattan Project is aimed in part at countering opposition from High Line Park supporters and other critics who say the plan is too intrusive and obstructs views.

The video attempts to illustrate that the planned complex – including a 14-acre park and generous green spaces between and around the buildings – actually fits well into the High Line and the waterfront.

The Related/Wynn project – Wynn New York City – is to be built on a former LIRR train track.

The plan calls for an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River that would house a gaming arcade and a hotel. Office buildings, residential towers and the sprawling 14-acre park would surround the gleaming casino skyscraper.

Tourists walking along the High Line would pass directly by the facility and could enter the massive resort between West 30th and 33rd Streets and 11th and 12th Avenues.

The tower housing the casino would house shops and restaurants on the ground floor, while gaming would be available on the second and third floors. Plans call for a pool deck and green space, as well as 1,700 hotel rooms.

Although the casino would only take up 3.6% of the entire project area, it would be a revenue generator and job creator.

Proponents say the centerpiece of the development will be the planned Hudson Green, a 5.6-acre public green park designed by award-winning teams Hollander Design and Sasaki as part of a master plan developed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

“The next phase of Hudson Yards is a $12 billion investment in New York's future that, if approved by city and state officials, will create tens of thousands of jobs, 1,500 housing units, including hundreds of new affordable homes, and billions in much-needed revenue for the city and state,” said Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, in a statement.

“At the center of it all is Hudson Green, a 14-acre rolling green park with incredible river views, hundreds of trees for hot summer days, gardens, a playground and a dog park,” Blau said.

“We firmly believe it will be an oasis that will become the neighborhood's new calling card. In the coming months, we look forward to sharing more details about the broad, long-term economic and social benefits our vision for Hudson Yards and Wynn New York City will bring to New York.”

The project complies with the approved uses in the 2009 development plan for Hudson Yards, even including an office tower and casino, Related representatives said.

“It's easy for politicians to talk about wanting to create jobs and invest in the economy and infrastructure, but our proposal to develop Hudson Yards West would do just that, which is why it continues to receive important support from unions, industry associations and small businesses,” said Bruce Beal Jr., president of Related Companies.

“Completion of the undeveloped yards will not only create 35,000 union construction jobs during construction, but also 5,000 permanent union jobs at the resort, the economic engine that makes all these wonderful community benefits possible, including affordable housing, public parks and transportation improvements.”

The state is considering awarding up to three casino licenses in the southern part of the state, including in New York City, Long Island and the northern suburbs. The successful bidders would have to pay a licensing fee of at least $500 million up front for the privilege of operating a casino.

Wynn New York City is subject to review by city authorities under the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure. Local councils and some elected officials have raised concerns about the project.

The State Gaming Commission is expected to issue licenses by December 31, 2025, after review by local and statewide site committees.

Other proposals still have some problems that will take time to resolve.

Mets owner Steve Cohen's plan to partner with Hard Rock to acquire one of the licenses and build an $8 billion casino/entertainment complex next to CitiField requires state law to be authorized.

The land surrounding the baseball stadium is now considered parkland and lawmakers must pass a law to reclassify the land for commercial use.

State Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the Queens communities surrounding the baseball stadium, opposes the bill and the project.

Other casino bidders have also faced zoning issues or community opposition. These include SL Green/Caesars Entertainment's plan for Times Square and Thor Equities and Partners' proposal for Coney Island in Brooklyn.

Two existing gaming halls – Genting Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Resorts Empire City at Yonkers Racetrack – plan to apply for licenses to expand and offer table games. They are already on state-owned land and do not face the land problems of other locations.