Bally’s Corp. announced a refreshed plan for Bally’s Chicago Casino that will feature a 34-story, 500-key hotel in a single-phase construction project at the 30-acre former Tribune Publishing site, pending approval of the Chicago Department of Planning & Development. Bally’s took possession of the building on July 5.
In new renderings, the future Bally’s Chicago Casino will have its hotel tower on the southern end of the casino development nearest Ohio Street along the Chicago River. The hotel tower will include a large pool spa, fitness center and sun deck, as well as a rooftop restaurant bar to enjoy the Chicago skyline. Earlier this year, the hotel tower was moved due to unforeseen underground infrastructure and an adjusted design for a two-phase hotel was approved.
“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,” George Papanier, president of Bally’s Corp., said in a statement. “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.”
Bally’s and Wyomissing, Pa.-based Gaming and Leisure Properties also entered into a binding term sheet for a $940 million construction funding facility for the project, along with other financing transactions, that together GLPI expects to fund $2.07 billion to Bally’s. GLPI and Bally’s have agreed to a strategic alliance on the project’s construction and development.
“The improved site plan for Bally’s Chicago delivers all 500 hotel rooms upfront as part of a single-phase development plan, protects all essential infrastructure, and elevates the grandeur of our much-anticipated permanent casino development,” said Christopher Jewett, senior vice president, corporate development of Bally’s. “We look forward to working with city officials to secure approval of our revised site plan.”
The renderings of the improved site plan were prepared by HKS.