Saratoga Casino, Thor Equities & Global Gaming Solutions Unveil New Renderings for Coney Island Casino Plan

New renderings have been unveiled for The Coney, a proposed expansive casino, hotel, and entertainment complex in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Designed by FXCollaborative and developed by Saratoga Casino Holdings, Global Gaming Solutions, Legends, and Thor Equities, this ambitious project aims to secure a downstate gaming license. If successful, The Coney will feature a 32-story, 500-room hotel tower, a 2,500-seat concert venue, 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space, retail and dining options, and a public green space.

Location and Design Features

The Coney’s site is bordered by Surf Avenue, Jones Walk, the Wonder Wheel, and West 15th Street. Key thoroughfares such as West 12th Street, Bowery Street, and Stillwell Avenue/Ruby Jacobs Walk will intersect the property under skybridges. Renderings show Ruby Jacobs Walk with notable landmarks like Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and a pinwheel sculpture. The lower levels of the buildings will have floor-to-ceiling windows, while the façades will feature a diamond-patterned screen with colorful lights. New amusement rides and landscaped terraces will be added to the rooftops.

Architectural Highlights

The hotel tower’s massing consists of rounded rectangular volumes of various heights with a prismatic glass curtain wall and triangular panels, harmonizing with the casino’s diagrid structure. The tower’s pinnacle will be adorned with a colorful mosaic reminiscent of stained glass. From the outdoor terrace atop the podium, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Coney Island beach, Luna Park, and the Atlantic Ocean, with even more expansive views from the hotel rooms.

Community and Regulatory Process

The project must first be reviewed by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, followed by public input and a neighborhood impact study before it can compete for the gaming license. This decision is expected sometime next year. The Coney promises to create nearly 4,000 jobs, with plans for an on-site resource center to address gaming addiction and ensure staff training for a welcoming and responsible environment.

Community Engagement and Economic Impact

For two years, developers have engaged with Coney Island and Southern Brooklyn residents to create a project that fosters careers, supports local businesses, and provides year-round economic benefits. Sam Gerrity, CEO of Saratoga Casino Holdings, emphasizes the importance of accessibility and infrastructure improvement in this densely traveled area. Dan Boren, board chairman for Global Gaming Solutions, highlights the collaboration with the community to propose a project designed to boost the local economy and create thousands of jobs.

Current State and Future Plans

Currently, low-rise food and retail structures line Surf Avenue, and several park attractions cover the development area. These structures will likely be demolished if The Coney receives construction approval. The architect for the project has not yet been announced.