Bally’s unveils updated casino plan expected to create 3,000 construction jobs

Chicago Construction News staff writer

Bally’s Corporation has updated a permanent casino site plan that features a 500-room, 34-story hotel tower in a single-phase construction project at the 30-acre former Tribune Publishing site, pending approval of the Chicago Department of Planning & Development.

The development will generate about 3,000 construction jobs and the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC) a minority-led construction partnership, is poised to implement the improved site plan and bring the Bally’s Chicago Casino vision to life.

“We at the Chicago Community Builders Collective are thrilled about the future of Bally’s Chicago Casino and are excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Jimmy Akintonde, CCBC member and President and CEO of Ujamaa Construction. “As the general contractor, we are proud to be at the forefront of this significant development that promises to bring jobs, economic growth, and vibrant entertainment to our city. We look forward to this project’s positive impact on Chicago and are committed to ensuring its success.”

Bally’s has taken possession of the former Tribune Publishing site, located at 777 W. Chicago Avenue. This week, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company, the project’s demolition contractor, began preparing the site for demolition.

In new renderings, there is a hotel tower on the southern end of the casino development nearest Ohio Street along the Chicago River. The hotel tower will include a large pool spa, fitness center and sun deck, as well as a rooftop restaurant bar to enjoy the Chicago skyline. Earlier this year, the hotel tower was moved due to unforeseen underground infrastructure and an adjusted design for a two-phase hotel was approved.“We’ve been working hard in the background to restore the full hotel tower for Bally’s Chicago Casino and absolutely intend to meet the September 2026 opening date as planned,” said George Papanier, President of Bally’s Corporation. “We are also happy to announce that Gaming and Leisure Properties has agreed to finance this entire development in a single phase to ultimately deliver a better project in a more efficient manner.”

Along with the 500-room hotel tower, the plan includes a 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants, cafes and a food hall, and a 2-acre public park. The casino will have space for about 3,300 slots, 173 table games and VIP gaming areas. The lower riverbank will be connected to the property with a 2,000-foot-long extension of the riverwalk extending south from W. Chicago Avenue.Renderings of the improved site plan were prepared by HKS, a global design firm with an office in Chicago that provides award-winning hospitality and entertainment design services. HKS designed the Grand Hyatt Nashville, MGM National Harbor gaming resort in Maryland, The Palazzo in Las Vegas, and

“We are proud to be part of the new site plan for Bally’s Chicago Casino, which highlights a commitment to innovative and iconic design that not only preserves essential infrastructure but also elevates the architectural magnificence of Chicago’s skyline,” said Jess Corrigan, partner and Regional Practice Director of Commercial Mixed-Use at HKS. “We look forward to collaborating with Bally’s and city officials to bring this ambitious project to life.”