Construction Advances at Bally's Casino
Construction on the Bally's Casino in Chicago has reached a new milestone with the completion of a second tower crane "jump." The progress on the major entertainment venue is visible and marks a significant step forward for the project.
- The total investment for the Bally's Chicago project is estimated at $1.7 billion, with a projected opening in late 2026. - The permanent casino will feature 3,400 slot machines and 173 table games, making it the largest casino in Illinois. - A 36-story hotel tower with 500 rooms will anchor the south end of the site, featuring a private members club on the 35th floor and a rooftop restaurant and bar with a terrace on the top floor. - Beyond the casino floor, the complex will include a 3,000-seat theater, a public park, and will extend the Chicago Riverwalk by approximately 2,000 feet. - The facility is being constructed on the former site of the Chicago Tribune printing plant, known as the Freedom Center, in the River West neighborhood. - The architectural design is led by HKS, which envisions the glass hotel tower as a "beacon on the Chicago riverfront." - While construction is underway, Bally's is operating a temporary casino at the Medinah Temple, which has been granted a license to operate until September 2026.
