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Bally’s Chicago has cleared a major construction milestone on its path to a spring 2027 grand opening. The project team marked the occasion April 30 with a traditional topping-off ceremony at 560 W. Grand Ave., where the final structural beam—signed by workers and officials—was hoisted into place overlooking the Chicago River.
The event served as a high-profile gathering of the city’s political and labor leadership. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was on site to witness the milestone, joined by Bally’s Executive Chairman Soo Kim, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., and representatives from the Chicago Community Builders Collective.
For a project that has leaned heavily on its relationship with organized labor, having the city’s executive office and union leadership present carried significant symbolic weight, signaling a unified front as the development enters its most intensive phase.
Workforce powers $1.7B Chicago casino development
The scale of the Bally’s project is reflected in its workforce. To date, construction has involved more than 1,000 skilled tradespeople. The topping-off ceremony paid tribute to that collective effort, emphasizing the human capital behind the steel and concrete. Once fully operational, the $1.7 billion flagship development is expected to support approximately 3,000 permanent hospitality and gaming jobs, providing a long-term economic engine for the city’s West Side.
“This is a meaningful milestone for Bally’s Chicago, and it reflects the extraordinary effort from our union trades and project partners who have made it possible,” Soo Kim said during the ceremony.
“We’re proud of what has been built and eager to move into the next phase as we deliver a one-of-a-kind destination for the people of Chicago.”
Since its inception, the project has been held up as a model for labor-centric urban development. Through a partnership with area unions and the Chicago Community Builders Collective, the developers have prioritized local hiring and diversity in the trades, ensuring that the project’s massive budget directly benefits the city’s specialized workforce.
Bally’s transforming Chicago’s riverfront landscape
Bally’s Chicago is rising on a 30-acre site that was formerly home to the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center. The company’s vision is to transform this industrial relic into a vibrant riverfront destination. By reconnecting the River West and Near West Side neighborhoods, the project aims to restore public access to a long-secluded stretch of the Chicago River, incorporating a new riverwalk and green spaces into the urban fabric.
The gaming floor itself will be a powerhouse of the Midwest market, featuring 3,400 slot machines and 173 table games. However, the site plan reveals an ambition that goes beyond gambling. To establish the property as a premier hospitality hub, Bally’s has entered a partnership with Levy Hospitality to manage 10 unique food and beverage venues. Levy, known for its high-volume excellence at major sports stadiums and entertainment districts, is tasked with creating a culinary ecosystem that mirrors the diversity of Chicago’s food scene.
The broader master plan includes a 500-room hotel tower topped with a curated rooftop bar, a 3,000-seat state-of-the-art theater, and a flexible event center for conventions and private gatherings. To accommodate the expected influx of tourists and residents, the facility includes parking for 3,300 vehicles, though the emphasis remains on the “activation” of the riverfront to encourage pedestrian traffic.
A new midwest gaming and hospitality hub
Coinciding with the topping-off, Bally’s released new interior renderings that offer the public its first look at the guest experience. Global design firm WATG is leading the interior architecture, focusing on creating a seamless transition between the high-energy gaming floors and the more refined social environments.
The design intent centers on “experiential luxury.” By integrating the entertainment theater and hotel tower into the core casino footprint, the architects are building a space intended to draw a broad demographic. The goal is to attract visitors who may be drawn more to a world-class concert or a riverside dinner than the gaming tables.
Bally’s Chicago on track for spring 2027 opening
While Bally’s currently operates a temporary casino at Medinah Temple, the momentum has clearly shifted to the permanent site. With the structural frame now complete, the project moves into the “interior fit-out” phase. The spring 2027 completion target now seems more attainable given this significant structural achievement.
Bally’s Chicago is one of Chicago’s most significant active developments, and city officials have been closely tracking its economic potential.
Mayor Johnson noted at the ceremony that the completed complex is expected to generate more than $100 million in new annual revenue for the city. Bally’s Chicago is now one of the most anticipated casino openings in the country as it moves through the final stages of construction.
