Bally’s, one of the leading casino corporations, will have to revise the design for its permanent Chicago casino and entertainment complex several months before the company breaks ground for the development scheduled to open in 2026. As reported, the company’s decision to amend the design comes after discovering that the foundation of a 35-story hotel tower of the future complex could damage municipal water pipeline on the River West site.
Seeking Alternative Tower Site:
According to Chicago Sun Times, Bally’s executives are working with the competent city officials to find an alternative position for the tower on the 30-acre site. The source reports that this site, located at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, is the current home to the Chicago Tribune printing plant. The tower foundation cannot be located in the north end of the parcel under the original design “due to unforeseen infrastructure issues,” as Bally’s spokesperson told the source.
Bally’s original design of a 100-room riverbank hotel development at Chicago Avenue was reportedly approved by the City Council in 2022. The development plan also includes a 400-room tower to be built in a second stage within five years. Bally’s proceeded with plans to build the foundation for the 505,000-square-foot tower to find out that the underground structure could damage water piping near the river. As reported, the city agreed with the company’s findings. City officials are currently reviewing a revised plan submitted the Department of Buildings on January 16, 2024.
Relocation to South End:
According to Chicago Sun Times, the revised design relocates the 100-room hotel development to a 74-foot tall building located in the south end of the 30-acre site. Bally’s reportedly said that the tower would be located elsewhere on the site, ”as promised.” A Bally’s spokesperson stated: “We are one step closer to the start of construction of the permanent casino by working closely with all stakeholders including the city. We look forward to getting shovels in the ground in 2024.” As reported, Bally’s intends to start construction works for the permanent casino complex still this summer.
The development scheduled to start in 2024 will reportedly represent an extension of the Bally’s casino operations in Chicago. These operations are reportedly focused on a temporary casino run by the company at the legendary Medinah Temple since the summer of 2023. The source reports that the company generated only about $3.1 million in tax revenues in around three months of operations to go below its budget projections. At the same time, Bally’s needs to focus on a hotel tower construction site that will not interfere with the municipal water system.
$1.34 Billion Development:
As reported, the glass-faced hotel tower proposal helped the company win the Chicago’s casino operator deal over two other companies. The host city deal obliges Bally’s to build the tower, as well as a range of amenities. The company will reportedly also have to invest around $1.34 billion in the project. As reported by Chicago Sun Times, Bally’s plans to leave the temporary Medinah venue and open the permanent casino until September 9, 2026 are reportedly ”on schedule,” but also mandatory under the applicable state law.