CHICAGO | City Casino

[urbanpln]

Originally Posted by BrickellBased

Yeah this was certainly a concern of mine, but the casino is only one of many reasons for people to go here, and will be less relevant over time IMO.

I was very on the fence about the site when first chosen, but after seeing the plans & strategy I've convinced myself that this is potentially an exciting catalyst for the North Branch and for downtown Chicago.

The project consists of many parts that would be significant and exciting development by themselves

- Long overdue and large extension and development of the riverwalk up the North Branch. exceeded expectations.

- New 500 key hotel downtown.

- 3000 seat theater.

- 6 new restaurants/cafes/bars/foodhall - 6 opening at once is another major development downtown.

And this is just Ballys - as mentioned if this spurs more development nearby I do think the casino will not be the primary reason that people visit this area.

It's a $1.8 billion development - that is very big. There's clearly a lot more money being spent than just on a casino floor.

Isn't there a residential component too?

[BrickellBased]

Originally Posted by urbanpln

Isn't there a residential component too?

No I don't believe so.

My (very) rough guesses

1M sqft Casino - $900M
500 room hotel - $400M
2000' Riverwalk - $150M
Events Venue - $250M
Restaurants/Food Hall/Other Stuff $100M
=$1.8B give or take.

[Sprinklemoore]

Originally Posted by BrickellBased

Yeah this was certainly a concern of mine, but the casino is only one of many reasons for people to go here, and will be less relevant over time IMO.

I was very on the fence about the site when first chosen, but after seeing the plans & strategy I've convinced myself that this is potentially an exciting catalyst for the North Branch and for downtown Chicago.

The project consists of many parts that would be significant and exciting development by themselves

- Long overdue and large extension and development of the riverwalk up the North Branch. Finally getting the Riverwalk going up the North Branch is a huge win by itself, and it's 2000 ft or .4 miles - huge addition. And the Riverwalk redevelopment along Wacker has been hugely successful and exceeded expectations.

- New 500 key hotel downtown. Plenty of people in town on business or for any reason will stay at the hotel whether or not they actually visit the casino. Staying at a hotel that is connected to the Riverwalk is hugely desirable. A new 500 key all hotel tower Downtown is big development news by itself. Does anyone know the height? I've seen 500 ft in articles but also 34 floors. If it's 500 feet I think this will be the tallest 'all hotel' tower in Chicago?

- 3000 seat theater. This is not an afterthought - Chicago theater seats 3,600. This is basically a new events venue Downtown. Many conferences - probably weekly/monthly will be held at Bally's I suspect. A theater style seating is ideal for conferences that have a keynote and panel speaking schedule and superior to typical ballroom venues where they are usually held downtown. There are tons of these held in Chicago. Also the location is way more central and desirable than McCormick, Hilton, or Venue610 which are kind of far from tourist sites and downtown. Many existing conferences will switch from other hotels to Ballys I supsect. Plus music, standup, etc. This would be a major new development by itself.

- 6 new restaurants/cafes/bars/foodhall - 6 opening at once is another major development downtown. Timeout in Fulton has also been very successful. This also allows you to spend a better fraction of the day here. Hopefully shopping and retail is added here or nearby in time. Restaurants with a river view should be very popular like they already are along the wacker river walk and places like Chicago Cut.

- And of course the casino itself. I'm hoping we get some major poker tournaments here and ESPN coverage or something. Would be pretty cool. Horshoe in Hammond already has.

And this is just Ballys - as mentioned if this spurs more development nearby I do think the casino will not be the primary reason that people visit this area.

It's a $1.8 billion development - that is very big. There's clearly a lot more money being spent than just on a casino floor.

I agree it's a very strong shot in the arm for this dead spot of downtown that only has that fortress of a condo development (Kinzie Park) and the EBC which create a very quiet and closed off feel. The only thing this development is missing is major retail. I love the shopping component of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and I spend way more time there than the casino itself. But hopefully that will follow the money as it (hopefully) comes in

[vexxed82]

Originally Posted by Handro

This project has more potential to become a dead zone, visited only by people bussed in from the suburbs or outer neighborhoods and then bussed straight back, than it does to become a little island of Vegas nightlife on the river. It’s a pointless location for a hotel but for people staying specifically for the casino—and who is making an overnight trip to Chicago to gamble? I’m afraid we have enough evidence of the economic gravity of casinos in Chicagoland to become naively hopeful for this to be anything but a streetside wasteland.

How is the Medinah temple casino doing, in a beautiful, approachable building, in a bustling tourist district?

I think your last point is an interesting question. While foot traffic helps and works in gambling meccas like Vegas, I'm not sure a city-based casino like in Chicago would benefit the same way.

This is totally me guessing, but I'd imagine casinos that have less to do around them (virtually all of the region in the area I can think of) probably fare better because once people are inside they're less inclined to leave. There's a lot more to draw you out of Medinah (food, for instance) than there will be at the Tribune site.

Downtown foot traffic might get you a few new player, but I don't imagine that may "for curiosity" walk-ins are staying as long as regular casino-goers.

Also, I hope thing thing looks 10x better than the Hard Rock in Rockford. See it often on the way to my in-laws and it's dreadful.

[Sprinklemoore]

Originally Posted by vexxed82

I think your last point is an interesting question. While foot traffic helps and works in gambling meccas like Vegas, I'm not sure a city-based casino like in Chicago would benefit the same way.

This is totally me guessing, but I'd imagine casinos that have less to do around them (virtually all of the region in the area I can think of) probably fare better because once people are inside they're less inclined to leave. There's a lot more to draw you out of Medinah (food, for instance) than there will be at the Tribune site.

Downtown foot traffic might get you a few new player, but I don't imagine that may "for curiosity" walk-ins are staying as long as regular casino-goers.

Also, I hope thing thing looks 10x better than the Hard Rock in Rockford. See it often on the way to my in-laws and it's dreadful.

Agree. I think we also have to see the elephant in the room -- Medinah is an awful casino. It's a pretty building and a super cool venue for a Monaco-style casino, but not the way people gamble here. It's crowded it's under-served and most hardcore gamblers I know say it doesn't offer up enough so it's definitely not indicative of what a gaming experience could be in Chicago at full potential.

[Chi-Sky21]

I think with the concerts and food options it will draw in the new location. The ADDED benefit is Medinah will no longer be used as a casino which it never really should have been. Along with Hard Rock closing and rainforest there could be a lot of new life brought into BOTH areas.

[BrickellBased]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

I think with the concerts and food options it will draw in the new location. The ADDED benefit is Medinah will no longer be used as a casino which it never really should have been. Along with Hard Rock closing and rainforest there could be a lot of new life brought into BOTH areas.

Good point - didn't consider that Medinah will be vacated.

I'm eager to see what will move in there.

[lakeshoredrive]

Construction has been halted…

http://https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-...ming-board-reputed-mob-rosemont-difronzo

[mh777]

Wtf.. over a dumpster company… this is literally the only substantive project going on in this city right now and that state halts it over a dumpster company that had mob ties at a point in time? Majority of construction companies in the city have some sort of mob tie I’m sure…what a joke

[twister244]

So.... I'm not an expert in casino-mob ties here, but.... If there's a company being ran by mob affiliates or members...... Then why are they even operating in the first place?

Not trying to suggest Bally's is innocent here, but it's kinda weird to me that there's this stop order due to a dumpster company that is a legitimate company.... But somehow has mob ties?

[munchymunch]

This is absolutely ridiculous at this point. Down right impossible to build in this city.

[cloudbod]

Originally Posted by mh777

this is literally the only substantive project going on in this city right now

No.

I agree though, this seems like a huge overreaction by the IGB over a waste hauling contractor.

[sentinel]

Fuck the mob and what they’ve done to Chicago over time (and every other city in the country).

[twister244]

Originally Posted by sentinel

Fuck the mob and what they’ve done to Chicago over time (and every other city in the country).

I agree, but this sounds like someone looking for a reason to put a stop to this project with a chip on their shoulder. We're talking about shady connections on a dumpster company servicing the construction site...... At worst, give Bally's a time frame to swap out companies and move on.

And again - If it's so bad to begin with, why is this dumpster company operating legally in the first place? Sounds like the IGB is angry at the symptom, not the problem.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by twister244

I agree, but this sounds like someone looking for a reason to put a stop to this project with a chip on their shoulder. We're talking about shady connections on a dumpster company servicing the construction site...... At worst, give Bally's a time frame to swap out companies and move on.

And again - If it's so bad to begin with, why is this dumpster company operating legally in the first place? Sounds like the IGB is angry at the symptom, not the problem.

Part of IGB's mission is to root out any organized crime involvement in the state's legalized gambling program. They do not eff around with this.

Honestly there's a good chance Bally's leaked the information to IGB or the Sun Times on purpose. It's a little bit of bad press, but now Bally's doesn't need to deal with these bloodsucking vampires from the mob.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Part of IGB's mission is to root out any organized crime involvement in the state's legalized gambling program. They do not eff around with this.

Honestly there's a good chance Bally's leaked the information to IGB or the Sun Times on purpose. It's a little bit of bad press, but now Bally's doesn't need to deal with these bloodsucking vampires from the mob.

That would be quite interesting if true, and maybe optimal?

I do get the sense Bally's really wants to get this thing built and off the ground, but keeps running into one problem after another.

[bhawk66]

Well, at least this gives Bally's a bit of breathing room to get better 'organized'. Like with slot chair color selections, etc. Could be helpful, no?

Too soon?

[left of center]

Do we have any idea when this could get started again? How long does it take to switch waste haulers? Or is the IGC going to have to complete some onerous months-long investigation before they can get the green light?

[mh777]

Construction resuming today.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/14/ballys-chicago-resume-casino-construction/

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by mh777

Construction resuming today.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/14/ballys-chicago-resume-casino-construction/

Still looked pretty quiet when I went by on the train this morning.