Resorts World New York City has commenced construction on the second phase of its multi-billion-dollar resort project, moving into expansion mode less than three months after the property’s grand opening. The start of Phase Two follows closely on the introduction of 1,400 additional slot machines, underscoring rapid ramp-up activity at what is described as the first casino in New York City’s history.
The broader resort is planned as a $5.5 billion integrated destination, and the newly launched phase will significantly increase the scale of the existing complex. The expansion program is designed to add two million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, dining, retail and convention space. This new space will build on an existing one-million-square-foot footprint, positioning the property as a large-format hospitality and entertainment asset within the market.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of the Genting Group, noted that the project team is advancing faster than originally anticipated. He highlighted that the resort is working toward becoming a first-of-its-kind integrated resort for the city and emphasized that the company is proceeding ahead of the timeline outlined in its proposal to the state. According to his comments, the move into Phase Two construction comes sooner than initially planned, and work is now extending beyond the resort’s original building envelope.
Specific components of Phase Two include a substantial expansion of the on-site hospitality offering. Plans call for a new 400-key hotel connected to the existing Hyatt Regency-branded hotel, broadening the range of lodging options available on the property. In addition, the resort will introduce 1,200 more hotel rooms under the Crockfords brand, which will further increase room count and diversify the resort’s positioning within the upper-tier hospitality segment.
The expansion also incorporates new entertainment and mixed-use features intended to support both gaming and non-gaming demand drivers. A 1,700-seat multi-purpose room is slated for development as part of this phase, providing capacity for events, performances, conferences, or other large gatherings. The Kenny “The Jet” Sports and Media Complex is scheduled to open three years earlier than initially promised, indicating an acceleration of that component of the project. A central plaza and a new parking garage are also planned, which are expected to enhance onsite circulation and guest access across the resort.
With Phase Two now underway, the resort is set to transition from a newly opened casino into a substantially larger integrated hospitality, gaming, entertainment, and convention destination. The project’s rapid movement into its next development phase, coupled with substantial new square footage and room count, signals an intent to capture a broad range of visitor segments and solidify the property’s position within the regional hospitality and gaming landscape.
