The upcoming Caesars Palace Time Square Casino Resort plans to offer employment opportunities through its construction, particularly for those working on the Broadway bridge project.
The Caesars Palace Times Square (CPTS) development, a joint proposal from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z's Roc Nation, and Ticketmaster owner Live Nation Entertainment, has stirred controversy in Manhattan. The multibillion-dollar casino resort plans to rise in Times Square, a move that has divided many in the city.
If approved, CPTS would become the second Caesars Palace marquee facility, following the original in Las Vegas. The proposed development aims to position itself as a luxury destination with a "New York way" appeal, comparable to Caesars Palace Las Vegas but with a smaller footprint and fewer amenities to drive business to surrounding local establishments.
The CPTS project is currently in the competitive licensing process for one of three downstate New York gaming licenses. The project involves an office-to-hotel conversion of the existing 54-story building at 1515 Broadway, with plans for 992 hotel rooms, a rooftop observatory, hotel amenities, and a lower-level gaming floor.
The project is advancing through the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) process, which held its first public hearing on July 23, 2025. The CAC, composed of local government appointees, must hold at least two public hearings and deliver a vote by September 30 to decide if the application moves forward to the Gaming Facility Location Board.
The community benefits package accompanying the bid totals $250 million and includes commitments to local safety, housing, and specific support mechanisms for Broadway workers, who are expected to benefit substantially from bridge jobs associated with the development. This is significant given the recent recovery and ongoing challenges faced by Broadway and its workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The developers emphasize partnership with local businesses and inclusion of historic restaurant partners, aiming to integrate the casinoβs presence into the existing Times Square ecosystem rather than overwhelming it with a massive new development footprint. Union support and collaboration with organizations like the Actors' Equity Association and Local 802 underscore an intentional focus on workforce development for the performing arts community and associated hospitality sectors.
The CPTS application is in the early stages of review by its associated Community Advisory Committee. If approved, the development is projected to create more than 3,000 construction positions, 3,800 permanent jobs, generate $7 billion in direct tax revenue during its first decade in business, and contribute $26.7 billion in local economic activity during the same timeframe.
The developers claim CPTS would create long-term demand for more than 13 million meals annually at local restaurants, over 2,400 hotel rooms each night in surrounding hotels, and more than $800 million in incremental annual retail purchases. However, the proposal has divided many, with opposition coming from Broadway-related groups such as The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund), The Broadway League, The Shubert Organization, Audience Awards, and several iconic restaurants (Sardi's, Joe Allen).
As the CAC prepares for its final vote in late September, the fate of the Caesars Palace Times Square development hangs in the balance. The development plans to conduct monthly job fairs for Broadway union members and offer temporary jobs to actors and crew workers between shows, signalling a commitment to the local community and workforce. Only time will tell if the CPTS project will become a reality and bring a new dimension to the Times Square entertainment district.
[1] New York YIMBY [2] The Real Deal [3] Broadway World [4] The New York Times
- The Caesars Palace Times Square (CPTS) development, launched by SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z's Roc Nation, and Ticketmaster owner Live Nation Entertainment, is a contentious proposition in Manhattan.
- If sanctioned, CPTS would be the second Caesars Palace flagship facility, mirroring the original in Las Vegas.
- CPTS aims to debut as a high-end destination, exuding a "New York way" charm, albeit smaller in scale and offering fewer amenities to stimulate nearby businesses.
- Plans for the CPTS project are under evaluation for one of three downstate New York gaming licenses.
- The project envisions the transformation of the existing 54-story building at 1515 Broadway, comprising 992 hotel rooms, a rooftop observatory, hotel facilities, and a gaming area on the ground level.
- The first public hearing for the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) took place on July 23, 2025, with at least two more hearings scheduled before a decision is made on September 30.
- The $250 million community benefits package encompasses commitments to local safety, housing, and support systems for the Broadway workforce, easing their burden following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The developers endeavor to collaborate with local businesses and historical eateries, assimilating CPTS into Times Square's existing fabric rather than dominating it.
- Support from labor unions like Actors' Equity Association and Local 802 suggest a strong focus on workforce development within the performing arts and hospitality sectors.
- If approved, CPTS is predicted to create over 3,000 construction jobs and 3,800 permanent positions, generating approximately $7 billion in direct tax revenue over the first decade.
- The developers project demand for more than 13 million meals annually at local restaurants, over 2,400 hotel room bookings in adjacent hotels nightly, and over $800 million in additional annual retail purchases.
- However, dissenting voices include Broadway-related groups such as The Entertainment Community Fund, The Broadway League, The Shubert Organization, Audience Awards, and iconic dining establishments like Sardi's and Joe Allen.
- As the CAC gears up for its final vote in late September, the future of the Caesars Palace Times Square development remains uncertain, with promises of union job fairs and temporary jobs for Broadway professionals between shows signaling a pledge to the local community.
