Bally’s Chicago Marks Structural Milestone
The casino is due for a 2027 opening.
Bally’s Chicago reached a key construction milestone this week with a topping-off ceremony at its permanent casino site on the city’s Near West Side, signalling progress on a $1.7 billion redevelopment that the company says will open in spring 2027.
The ceremony at 560 W. Grand Ave. , part of a 30‑acre project on the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site , saw the placement of the final structural beam.
Attendees included Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., Bally’s Executive Chairman Soo Kim, union leaders and members of the Chicago Community Builders Collective, together with tradespeople working on the project.
Bally’s says more than 1,000 tradespeople have worked on the site to date.
“This is a significant milestone for Bally’s Chicago and reflects the incredible effort of the union trades and partners who have made this moment possible,” Soo Kim said. “We’re proud of the progress to date and excited to move into the next phase as we deliver a one‑of‑a‑kind destination for the people of Chicago.”
Project Scope
Bally’s projects the complex will support roughly 3,000 permanent jobs when complete. The development’s headline components include a 500‑room hotel, a 3,000‑seat entertainment theatre, 3,400 slot machines, 173 table games, 10 food and beverage venues run in partnership with Levy Hospitality, and 3,300 parking spaces.
Public outdoor spaces and riverfront activation are also part of the masterplan, as is a rooftop bar atop the hotel tower.
Design work for the casino interiors is being led by WATG, the company said, and Bally’s released new renderings showing the planned interior and guest experience.
‘Proud of the Progress’
The project occupied a prominent stretch of riverfront between River West and the Near West Side, an area long targeted for redevelopment.
Bally’s says the scheme will “reconnect” neighbourhoods to the Chicago River and improve public access along the river’s edge. The development replaced the Tribune’s Freedom Center, which previously housed newspaper printing operations.
“We’re proud of the progress to date and excited to move into the next phase as we deliver a one-of-a-kind destination for the people of Chicago.” said CEO Soo Kim.
The project has been one of the largest active developments in the city and has involved unions from the start. Bally’s highlighted labour participation during construction; the company’s emphasis on union trades reflects broader local concerns about job quality and community benefits tied to large developments.
Timeline
Bally’s is targeting spring 2027 for opening.
The developer has estimated the project cost at $1.7 billion and the creation of about 3,000 permanent positions.
For local businesses and the hospitality sector, the casino’s opening could shift leisure and convention demand patterns, particularly if the 3,000‑seat venue draws national acts and events.
