Bally’s Chicago Renderings Unveiled, Façade Will Honor River West Property Past
Posted on: December 9, 2025, 05:32h.
Last updated on: December 8, 2025, 04:34h.
- Bally’s has unveiled additional renderings of its Chicago development
- Some thought the latest casino renderings were underwhelming
Bally’s Corporation has unveiled additional renderings of the forthcoming permanent Bally’s Chicago casino resort in the Windy City’s River West neighborhood.
Chicago YIMBY, a real estate news outlet, whose acronym stands for “yes in my back yard,” first got hold of the new Bally’s Chicago representations. The many interpretations of what the resort will look like come from HKS, a Dallas-based architectural firm that is designing the $1.7 billion destination.
The renderings are perhaps a bit underwhelming, as the casino, restaurant, and lounge spaces, as well as the resorts’ exteriors, could seemingly be images from a casino from any part of the country.
The lone exception is that the property’s corner at Chicago Avenue will feature “Chicago” in the same typeface as the Chicago Tribune. The casino is being built where the newspaper was printed for more than four decades until the Freedom Center was demolished to make way for the casino resort.
Bally’s Chicago is building a 500-room hotel with a casino fixed with 3,500 slot machines and table game positions. A rooftop pool, a spa and fitness center, a 3K-seat theater, and two acres of outdoor public areas are included.
Renderings Fall Shot
HKS has designed two of the most iconic and celebrated casinos in the world, with The Palazzo in Las Vegas and The Venetian in China’s Macau.
Bally’s Chicago, however, doesn’t seem to stand out but fit in. There’s nothing unique from the early renderings, with previews of a casino, high-limit area, and poker room playing it safe.
“Looks already quite dated to me,” read one Chicago YIMBY comment.
It looks like something Vegas spat out 20 years ago. Where’s the ‘wow’ factor?” the commentor asked.
The exteriors are beige in color, with the window-paned hotel skyrise oozing a bit of blue. The surrounding park and pedestrian pathways do fit Chicago, as large staircases take people down to the Chicago River level for boat access and other walking paths.
Overall, this casino observer simply isn’t impressed. In my opinion, Bally’s needed to present The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas or Aria coming to Las Vegas. This feels more like Bally’s Atlantic City than a luxury casino property.
That’s just this man’s take. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Bally’s Overwhelmed?
No casino company has more going on currently than does Bally’s. Along with its $1.7 billion project in Chicago, Bally’s recently secured the opportunity to build a $4 billion casino in New York City by way of the Bronx.
Bally’s also continues to work in Las Vegas on a possible new casino and resort on the former Tropicana site in conjunction with the possible development of a new MLB ballpark for the Oakland A’s. Bally’s is additionally in the process of acquiring Australia’s Star Entertainment.
On Monday, Bally’s announced it had secured $1.1 billion in new credit lending. The company is also expected to sell the real estate of Bally’s Twin River Lincoln in Rhode Island early next year.
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