Bally's Casino Tower Crane Jumps in River West
Construction on the hotel tower at the Bally's Casino development in Chicago's River West neighborhood continues to progress. A recent report noted the completion of the second tower crane jump, a milestone in the vertical construction of the project, which adds a significant new development to the broader downtown landscape.
- The permanent Bally's Chicago development is a $1.7 billion project slated to open in late 2026. It will replace the temporary casino currently operating at Medinah Temple. - The full-scale resort will feature a 34-story hotel tower with 500 rooms, a casino with 3,400 slot machines and 173 table games, and a 3,000-seat entertainment venue. - Luxury amenities are set to include a rooftop pool, spa, fitness center, and a rooftop restaurant and bar with views of the city skyline. The development also includes plans for six restaurants, a food hall, and a two-acre public park with an extension of the Chicago Riverwalk. - The project is being built on the 30-acre former site of the Chicago Tribune printing facility, known as the Freedom Center, in the River West neighborhood. - The development is projected to create approximately 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs upon opening. - While the permanent casino is under construction, Bally's operates a temporary casino at the Medinah Temple in River North, which features 800 slot machines and 56 table games. - The city of Chicago anticipates the permanent casino will generate significant tax revenue, which is expected to be used for police and fire pension obligations. However, revenue from the temporary casino has been lower than initially projected. - The location of the hotel tower within the development was revised to the southern end of the site to avoid interfering with underground city water pipes.
