CHICAGO | City Casino - Page 99

ardecila · #**1961** Posted **Jan 15, 2026, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrickellBased

Amazing.

Mindblowing that it will be open later this year!

Don't get too excited. If they do "open" this year, it may just be a token little room with slot machines to meet the legal requirement. Remember that there's currently zero roads to even access the site, with Chicago Ave fully closed and the new Jefferson St connection to the south is not built yet.

That said, they are indeed hauling ass on the construction so I don't doubt they will finish in 2027 - but 2026 seems highly unlikely.

Quote:

Bally's may get another year to open permanent casino in River West
By Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout
Jan 15, 2026, 4:58pm CST

Chicago has waited for decades for the permanent casino and entertainment complex that mayors have long coveted. Now the city might have to wait another year.

At Bally’s behest, State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) introduced a bill on Thursday that could extend the casino giant’s license to operate its temporary casino at Medinah Temple until September 2027.

That would give Bally’s up to another year to complete and open its $1.7 billion casino and entertainment complex in River West, where construction cranes went up in the fall.

------

Bally’s officials said they’re still aiming to open the permanent casino this September, but the legislation is needed as a precaution.

Briguy · #**1962** Posted **Jan 16, 2026, 12:41 AM**

Is there really a 5 story parking garage on top of the casino?

dreamy-developer · #**1963** Posted **Jan 16, 2026, 12:57 AM**

Bally’s Chicago pushes back opening to 2027, seeks 12-month extension on temporary casino

Quote:

With its already extended temporary license to operate at Medinah Temple set to expire in September and construction of the new casino complex racing the clock, state Rep. Kam Buckner introduced a bill Thursday to add up to another 12 months to the temporary license.

munchymunch · #**1964** Posted **Jan 16, 2026, 12:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Don't get too excited. If they do "open" this year, it may just be a token little room with slot machines to meet the legal requirement. Remember that there's currently zero roads to even access the site, with Chicago Ave fully closed and the new Jefferson St connection to the south is not built yet.

That said, they are indeed hauling ass on the construction so I don't doubt they will finish in 2027 - but 2026 seems highly unlikely.

No shot they open this year. Building is just starting to get enclosed and it’s all high end finishes inside. Less than zero percent chance.

BrickellBased · #**1965** Posted **Jan 16, 2026, 11:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamy-developer

Bally’s Chicago pushes back opening to 2027, seeks 12-month extension on temporary casino

Great timing.

Quote:

The proposed legislation by Buckner, whose 26th District includes Medinah Temple, would extend the temporary license by an additional six months, with an option for two, three-month extensions while construction of the permanent Bally’s Chicago facility is completed.

and

Quote:

But Bally’s had been targeting a September 2026 opening — in line with the expiration of the extended temporary casino license — for several years. The launch date got pushed back to the fourth quarter of 2026 last year, and now may extend until September 2027 through the new legislation.

Once the walls are up you can work in parallel on the finishes. Throwing enough manpower at it and working nights/weekend can move mountains, but doesn't seem like that will happen.

I was hoping for an 'Instant Dream Home' - Casino Edition

BrickellBased · #**1966** Posted **Jan 16, 2026, 11:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briguy

Is there really a 5 story parking garage on top of the casino?

There is.

dewbs · #**1967** Posted **Jan 17, 2026, 2:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrickellBased

Great timing.
Throwing enough manpower at it and working nights/weekend can move mountains, but doesn't seem like that will happen.

I was hoping for an 'Instant Dream Home' - Casino Edition

To be fair, they've been out weekends and holidays. They were going when I looked at 7:30 this morning. I see at least two excavators and one of the big cranes active, and I'm sure there's other stuff going on. I usually see a few welders on weekends the past month or two.

dewbs · #**1968** Posted **Jan 19, 2026, 5:52 PM**

Sunday afternoon:

VKChaz · #**1969** Posted **Jan 20, 2026, 8:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briguy

Is there really a 5 story parking garage on top of the casino?

I don't believe the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino floor has much of anything over it. Which would likely make it easier to create those dramatic spaces with high ceilings. This would not have been like that regardless (at least not to that degree). But a garage (like a hotel) stacked on top could not have helped the interior design process. And it didn't do any favors to the overall exterior possibilities

Toasty Joe · #**1970** Posted **Feb 4, 2026, 7:03 PM**

glass getting installed yesterday

Source: @jmisci

BVictor1 · #**1971** Posted **Feb 11, 2026, 11:38 PM**

02.11.26

lakeshoredrive · #**1972** Posted **Feb 12, 2026, 1:32 AM**

The hotel is going to look so much taller than it is. Went by this on the Ohio St ramp and it is so massive at that height. I can’t imagine what the impact will feel like when the hotel is at its full height

Klippenstein · #**1973** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 6:50 PM**

What does everyone think of the precast concrete paneling? It looks way different than the rendering to me so hard to say how it will come together.

Images were posted here

left of center · #**1974** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 6:52 PM**

I have a very low opinion of precast concrete, and this is no different. I would prefer that they cover this up with a cheap glass curtain wall instead, but alas I am not the one signing the checks

r18tdi · #**1975** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 7:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klippenstein

What does everyone think of the precast concrete paneling? It looks way different than the rendering to me so hard to say how it will come together.

Looks about right, based on this rendering. It's your typical ugly parking podium that just so happens to be above the active use portion of the building:

HKS via Urbanize Chicago

dreamy-developer · #**1976** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 1:14 PM**

Found this recent drone footage of the project here - gives some nice backdrops of the skyline.

https://youtu.be/dY6qs7DKc70?si=5KLvH2BpG2AxM0bG

Randomguy34 · #**1977** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 4:23 PM**

^ Wow, it really filled in the gap between River North and River West

NYguy · #**1978** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 4:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamy-developer

Found this recent drone footage of the project here - gives some nice backdrops of the skyline.

https://youtu.be/dY6qs7DKc70?si=5KLvH2BpG2AxM0bG

Love a good drone shot. This is massive. A couple of years before I can see that here...

mh777 · #**1979** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 4:52 PM**

Does the structure continue west further than where they're at now? I.e., will it go all the west to Halsted or does it stop short?

r18tdi · #**1980** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 4:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh777

Does the structure continue west further than where they're at now? I.e., will it go all the west to Halsted or does it stop short?

I don't think the structure extends that far west. Though it does look like they are building some decking to elevate the future Jefferson extension to the same grade as Halsted and Chicago Ave at the north end of the site -- or is that more casino?