Bally’s Chicago casino reaches full height as $1.7B riverfront project nears completion
Bally’s Chicago casino has reached full height, marking a major milestone in the $1.7 billion riverfront project.Summary
Bally’s Chicago casino has reached full height, marking a major milestone in the $1.7 billion riverfront project. The topping-off ceremony took place at the former Freedom Center printing site in River West, attended by Mayor Brandon Johnson, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim. The complex will include a 34-story hotel tower, a 3,000-seat theater, an exhibition hall, 10 restaurants, and 4,000 gaming positions, making it the largest casino in Illinois. Originally targeting an early 2026 opening, the project has faced delays due to debris spills, unauthorized waste haulers, and foundation redesigns. Bally’s now expects the permanent site to open in the first quarter of 2027. The temporary casino generated $15.9 million in local taxes last year, but officials anticipate the permanent complex will bring in more than $100 million annually to support police and fire pensions. Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim described the project as a "game changer" aimed at attracting 50 million-plus tourists to the Chicagoland area. Former Mayor Lightfoot emphasized the project's importance to the city's financial future, calling it a "lasting legacy."
(Source：Readwrite)