Pictured from L to R: Ameet Patel (Senior VP and Regional General Manager, West, Bally’s Corporation), Jimmy Akintonde (President & CEO, UJAMAA Construction, representing the Chicago Community Builder’s Collective), Christopher Jewett (Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Bally’s Corporation), Vice Mayor and 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., Soo Kim (Chairman, Bally’s Corporation), Glenn Eden (Board Chair, Choose Chicago), John Bosca (President Emeritus at Neighbors of River West and Casino Community Advisory Council member) (Photo Credit: Powell Creative Services).
When an excavator claw took down part of the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center at Tuesday’s “Vision to Reality” Demolition Event, it marked a major construction milestone for the future Bally’s Chicago Casino, hotel and entertainment complex.
“The future begins today as we bring our vision for Chicago’s first and only casino one step closer to reality,” said Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally’s Corporation. “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.”
Bally’s Chicago Casino will harness the beauty of the urban Chicago riverfront site to create inclusive, dynamic spaces, including a 500-room hotel tower, 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants, cafes and a food hall, and a 2-acre public park.
The casino will offer space for approximately 3,400 slots, 170 table games and VIP gaming areas. The lower riverbank will be connected to the property with an approximately 2,000-foot-long extension of the riverwalk extending south from W. Chicago Avenue.
“The City of Chicago joins Bally’s in celebrating this historic day,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “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.”
“Investments like this continue to show that Chicago is open for business. Like all Chicagoans, I will be watching eagerly as Bally’s rises along the river,” said Johnson.
The casino development will create 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 casino jobs once Bally’s Chicago Casino becomes operational. Bally’s Chicago Casino has hosted a diversity vendor fair and multiple job fairs in preparation for the permanent location.
“Today is a great day for the 27th Ward and all of Chicago,” said Vice Mayor and Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. “Bally’s will be a game-changing provider of both high-quality jobs and world-class fun. Just as they have been at the temporary casino, I know Bally’s will be great partners once they move into my ward and I look forward to the official ribbon cutting in 2026.”
Prior to and since taking possession on July 5 of the 30-acre site located on the west side of the Chicago River between Chicago Avenue on the north and Grand Avenue on the south, Bally’s Chicago Casino has worked with the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a minority led construction partnership, and Brandenburg Industrial Service Company, the project’s demolition contractor, to prepare the site for demolition.
Here are a few facts about the demolition phase of the project:
- Five demolition permits are needed for the two structures on the property (Tribune building and U-Haul, which has already been demolished).
- Demolition is projected to take five months, weather
- Crews will work daily from 8 m. to 8 p.m., in compliance with the Chicago Noise Ordinance.
- No explosives or wrecking balls will be
- A dust mitigation plan was approved by the Chicago Department of Public
- Trucks will primarily use the Grand Avenue entrance to access the site.
“River West is no stranger to repurposing and repositioning industrial properties to active mixed- use developments,” said John Bosca, President Emeritus at Neighbors of River West and Casino Community Advisory Council member. “Bally’s has done everything they said they would do. We look forward our continued work with the City and Bally’s to create a world class casino and entertainment district!”
Bally’s Chicago Casino will continue to welcome guests to the temporary casino location at Medinah Temple in River North until the permanent location in River West is operational in Fall 2026.
Since the opening of Bally’s Chicago’s temporary casino location 11 months ago, the casino has welcomed more than 1.14 million visitors and has consistently increased monthly admissions.
“Chicago has welcomed us with open arms, and we are committed to serving as a good partner to Chicago, the River North and River West communities, and all of our fellow neighbors,” said Kim. “We have seen the success that Bally’s can have in this city when we all work together, and this development will be a result of the strong partnerships that we have created in a short period of time.”
About Post Author
