The new Bally’s flagship casino in Chicago, gearing up for a fall 2026 opening following a renewed plan unveiled last month, entered a crucial phase this week as demolition began to clear the site for construction.
The casino, with project estimates as high as $1.7 billion, will be built on the site of what was once the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center printing facility.
The site at Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue in Chicago’s River West neighborhood will house a casino resort that includes a 500-room hotel tower, 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants, cafes and a food hall, and a two-acre public park.
It plans for 3,400 slot machines, 170 table games and VIP gaming areas. Bally’s also plans a 2,000-foot-long extension of the riverwalk extending south from W. Chicago Avenue to connect the property to the lower riverbank.
Construction project to employ 3,000
While Illinois online casinos remain illegal, retail casinos, like Bally’s Chicago and Hard Rock Rockford, which opens today, are thriving.
Bally’s will continue to operate its temporary Chicago casino in the Medinah Temple building until its permanent casino is built.
It opened last September and welcomed its one-millionth visitor last month. It collected $10.4 million in adjusted revenue in July, the fourth highest-earning casino last month of the state’s 15 retail casinos.
Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim told CBS Chicago that Chicagoans should be happy with the final product.
“We’re really excited to put something here that befits Chicago as a whole. Obviously, River West matches River North and Fulton Market. I think what we have planned for you is just fantastic, and it’s going to make everyone proud.”
The article notes the project is expected to include 3,000 construction jobs and another 3,000 permanent resort jobs.
From “Vision to Reality”
On Tuesday, Bally’s held a “Vision to Reality” event at the site to commemorate the project milestone.
Speaking at the event, Kim said,
“The future begins today as we bring our vision for Chicago’s first and only casino one step closer to reality. With demolition now underway, we celebrate this milestone, embark on the revitalization of this glorious riverfront location, and eagerly anticipate the world-class casino and entertainment resort that will soon rise up on this spot.”
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson added remarks at the event, noting,
“The City of Chicago joins Bally’s in celebrating this historic day. This $1.7B casino and entertainment development is one of the largest economic investments in Chicago. For many years to come, this project will have an incredible impact on our city as a job creator, hospitality destination and revenue generator.”
Demolition expected to take 5 months
The casino site sits in Alderman Walter Burnett’s 27th Ward. Johnson told CBS Chicago he was personally invested in the project and demanded it involve Chicagoans needing work.
“If my folks don’t eat, nobody eat. So, if Cabrini Green people don’t get to work on this site, there will be no more development in the 27th Ward until I’m satisfied.”
According to Block Club Chicago, the demolition phase will last five months. Crews will work 12 hours a day (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) seven days a week to prepare for construction. The article adds that explosives will not be used in the process; excavators will do the majority of the work.
The crews will also have to take special steps to limit dust created by the work. That includes limiting on-site vehicles to 10 miles per hour and keeping the site wet. Health department officials can halt the project if dust becomes an issue.
