Bally's Corporation has unveiled a revised plan for its Chicago Casino development, integrating a 500-room, 34-storey hotel tower into a single-phase construction project in the US.
The initial design of the hotel tower was modified due to the discovery of unforeseen underground infrastructure. This led to an adjusted two-phase hotel plan that has since been revised back to a single-phase approach.
The company signed a $940m funding deal with Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) for the project. This partnership is part of a broader financial arrangement with GLPI, expected to provide Bally's with a total of $2.07bn in funding.
The strategic alliance between GLPI and Bally's focuses on the development of the Chicago casino and the accompanying hotel tower.
Earlier this month, Bally's acquired the 30-acre former Tribune Publishing site at 777 W Chicago Avenue, which is the designated location for the development, subject to approval by the Chicago Department of Planning & Development.
Brandenburg Industrial Service Company, the appointed demolition contractor, has initiated site preparation this week.
Bally’s president George Papanier said: “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.
“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.”
The hotel tower is planned to be situated on the southern end of the casino development near Ohio Street along the Chicago River, with an opening expected in September 2026.
It will feature amenities such as a large pool spa, fitness centre, sun deck, and a rooftop restaurant bar.
The Bally's Chicago Casino development also includes a 3,000-seat theatre, multiple dining venues, a food hall, and a two-acre public park.
It is estimated to create around 3,000 construction jobs and another 3,000 casino jobs upon completion.
Renderings of the updated site plan have been prepared by HKS, a global design company with a presence in Chicago.
Furthermore, the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a minority-led construction partnership, is set to carry out the construction of the improved site plan.
