Bally’s Chicago holds topping-off ceremony

The $1.7bn development is due to open in spring 2027.

US.- Bally’s Chicago has celebrated a topping-off ceremony at its permanent casino site at 560 W. Grand Ave. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attended alongside Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., Bally’s executive chairman Soo Kim, union leaders, members of the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC) and trades workers building the project.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional signing, lifting, and placement of the final beam.

The $1.7bn development is slated to open in spring 2027. Part of a 30-acre redevelopment of the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site, it will have 3,400 slot machines, 173 table games and 10 food and beverage venues. It will also have a 500-room hotel tower with a rooftop bar, 3,000-seat entertainment theatre and event centre and 3,300 parking spaces.

Bally’s executive chairman Soo Kim said: “This is a significant milestone for Bally’s Chicago and reflects the incredible effort of the union trades and partners who have made this moment possible. We’re proud of the progress to date and excited to move into the next phase as we deliver a one-of-a-kind destination for the people of Chicago.”

To date, more than 1,000 tradespeople have worked on the project. Once complete, it is expected to create approximately 3,000 permanent jobs. Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple, the company’s temporary location, opened in September 2023.