Freedom Plaza Mixed-Use Gaming Campus Plan Revealed for Midtown East, Manhattan

Rendering of Freedom Plaza - Courtesy of The Soloviev GroupRendering of Freedom Plaza - Courtesy of The Soloviev Group

Soloviev Group has joined the race to win one of three pending licenses to construct a casino in downstate New York. In collaboration with Mohegan, an extension of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, which owns a global portfolio of gaming resorts, the developers have revealed Freedom Plaza, a 6.7-acre waterfront gaming and residential campus near the United Nations complex in Midtown East, Manhattan.

In approved, Freedom Plaza would include a 1,000-key hotel, two high-rise residential towers, a waterfront ferris Wheel, and a below-grade casino with a large entertainment venue. Solovieiv Group already owns the development site, which is currently zoned for commercial construction.

“As a leader in socially responsible development, we will honor, complement, and advance Mohegan’s principles through sustainable and carbon-neutral property development,” said Stefan Soloviev, chairman at Soloviev Group. “This strategic partnership will not only ensure that Freedom Plaza will be ethically developed, but provide long-term economic prosperity for the local community, a positive impression on regional and international tourism, and a lasting impact on New York City for generations to come.”

Renderings of the campus show three towers standing at least 25 stories tall, all with reflective glass façades and a series of arched voids that will likely serve as amenity spaces or entertainment venues for residents and guests. The surrounding grounds will feature a mix of grasses, trees, walking paths, sports fields, and open space for communal recreation.

If the bid is not accepted by the New York State Gaming Commission, Soloviev Group will move forward with its original plan to build a 1.2-million-square-foot office building. Stefan Soloviev, chairman of the development company, said that the group had considered a bioscience-focused project, but decided to allow the property to sit vacant given post-pandemic economic conditions.

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16 Comments on "Freedom Plaza Mixed-Use Gaming Campus Plan Revealed for Midtown East, Manhattan"

  1. Nothing says freedom like some loose slots and a $40 ferris wheel ride.

  2. We live at 40th and 2nd. My wife appreciates that eastern light will still come from the East River and we will still have what’s left of our view after Soloviev’s 685 First went up a few year ago. Doubtless Soloviev wanted to preserve that view for their tenants too, not for us up the block, but it works out. And the neighborhood desperately needs parks since the U.N. closed its largest park post-9/11 and St. Varten has gone over to the kiddies from the P.S. on Soloviev’s 38th street property and sports fields. Sound like an interesting park, even if we have to share it with gamblers. Gee, can’t New York build anything retail unrelated to vice anymore?
    All in all, we approve and hope CB6 will too.

  3. Worst possible place for congestion is the UES.

  4. David in Bushwick | February 22, 2023 at 11:26 am | Reply

    The words “freedom” and “sustainable” are thrown around so much now that they literally mean the opposite of their true meaning.
    This proposal is really sad and the last thing NYC needs.

  5. A casino below sea level. The Army Corps of Engineers better get moving on those sea gates across the entrances to New York harbor.

  6. I’m a 74 y/o retired NY trial lawyer now living out west but go back to the City every other month for a week. What this proposal says to me is that I’ve outlived the City of New York that I knew. How on earth such a proposal could gain approval is beyond me. If the City wants to attract the “gaming industry,” let the City approve placing this project on Governors Island.

    • Manhattan is getting a casino but this is the worst location proposal of the bunch. I can’t think of anything trashier than a vice den in the shadow of the Secretariat. Freedom plaza? Good heavevns that’s even more tasteless than “Freedom Tower”. The only place in Manhattan for a big vulgar palace of grift is obviously Times Square.

  7. Closest train station would be Grand Central Station? Four
    blocks away.

  8. This is so silly and unnecessary. Yes, it’ll probably be pretty popular and fun, but its location is just terrible. It’s truly a mistake.

  9. I cannot believe this is being seriously considered.

  10. David of Flushing | February 23, 2023 at 6:39 am | Reply

    The Staten Island observation wheel was too far from Manhattan for decent views and was abandoned early in construction. This wheel is closer to Midtown, but the height seems insufficient to see over surrounding buildings. With so many observatories opening, one wonders how successful this would be. NYU-Langone down the road a piece got flooded in Sandy. Thought should be given to this as mentioned.

  11. Why is everyone so upset? Does no one like a little fun and entertainment? What would you do with the abandoned field that stretches from 38th to 41st?

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