Bally’s Casino scores another permit at 705 W. Chicago

A core and shell permit has been issued for both the casino building and hotel tower for Bally’s Chicago Casino at 705 W. Chicago Ave. Planned by Bally’s Corporation, the project site is situated along the Chicago River bounded by W. Chicago Ave to the north and N. Halsted St to the west.

Designed by HKS Architects, the future Bally’s Chicago Casino will capitalize on the urban Chicago riverfront site to create inclusive, dynamic spaces, including plans for the 500-room hotel tower, 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants, cafes and a food hall, and a 2-acre public park. 

The seven-story casino building will offer space for approximately 3,300 slots, 173 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. Multiple floors of parking will be included within the building.

The 500-room, 34-story hotel tower will be sited at the southern end of the site near 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 from the north end of the site due to unforeseen underground infrastructure.

With the construction in full swing, the issuance of the core and shell permit follows a slew of additional permits that have allowed construction to begin and continue on the foundations and bases of the buildings. General contractor partnership Chicago Community Builders Collective (“CCBC”) have already received a caisson foundation permit, tower crane permit, superstructure permit for the hotel tower, and superstructure permit for the casino building. With construction ongoing, the casino and hotel are expected to open in late 2026.