Queens’ native son Nasir Jones, best known by his rap moniker Nas, has partnered with Resorts World to expand a casino in his hometown borough in New York City. It’s a collaboration that will cost over $5 billion to complete, according to Black Enterprise.
“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent and build up the next generation of leaders.” Nas shared in an Instagram post announcing the expansion. “Clearly, with this project, the world is ours,”
The casino originally came to New York City in 2011 but with this expansion, Resorts World hopes to give the casino a complete Las Vegas-style makeover. Forbes reports that the expansion plan proposes to create 1,600 new hotel rooms to the existing Hyatt Regency at JFK Airport, a 7,000-seat entertainment space, a dance club, and a spa.
The casino expansion plan will also include a refinement of the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood. The local community board is all for the casino expansion initiative due to the positive impact it will have on the borough.
“When we stood here more than a dozen years ago to break ground on Resorts World New York City, our vision extended well beyond that already-ambitious original plan — today, that vision can soon become a reality,” Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting America East, the parent company of Resorts World. shared in a statement.
Nas is no stranger to multibillion dollar investments. He started his own investment company, QueensBridge Venture Partners, and has been financially attached to such businesses as Escobar Cigars, the media firm Mass Appeal and more. With Nas as the face of casino expansion project, Resorts World hopes the project will have a positive, trusted impact on the community.
Cover Photo: Nas Partners with Resorts World to Expand $5B Casino in Queens /Photo credit: Instagram