Mayor Johnson Attends Bally's Chicago Topping Off

Mayor Brandon Johnson stepped onto the River West construction site Thursday as crews raised a signed white steel beam into the sky, officially topping off the Bally's Chicago hotel tower and marking a major milestone for the long-debated casino project on the former Tribune Publishing site.

Topping off marks construction milestone

According to City of Chicago, Johnson attended the topping-off ceremony, which was streamed live from the River West site. City video showed construction workers pausing to sign a white beam before it was hoisted into place, a traditional topping-off custom that signals the structural frame of the building is complete. Officials used the moment to tout the casino as a step toward more jobs and broader economic development for the city.

Project details and location

Bally's has placed the permanent Chicago casino complex at the former Tribune Freedom Center at 777 W. Chicago Ave, per Bally's Corporation. The company describes a single-phase plan that includes a 34-story, 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, multiple restaurants and an extended riverwalk. Bally's also touts roughly 3,300 slot machines and 173 table games on the gaming floor, along with public green space and thousands of construction and permanent jobs. The revised site plan is pitched as a way to protect underground infrastructure and speed up completion of the project.

Progress, schedule and the politics

In early April, the hotel tower was closing in on its 30th floor, with only a few levels left to pour before reaching full height, according to Chicago YIMBY. At the same time, recent reporting has highlighted revenue shortfalls at Bally's temporary Medinah Temple casino and raised doubts about the original 2026 opening target, along with Johnson's own questions about the project, as detailed by ABC7 Chicago. Bally's and city officials maintain that construction and financing are on track, though they acknowledge that the ultimate opening date will depend on permits, inspections and broader market conditions.

Community reaction and next steps

Neighborhood organizations have continued to push for local hiring commitments, traffic controls and protections for the riverbank as work continues. Coverage in community debate and funding developments has followed both the financing deals and the public pushback. With the ceremonial beam now in place, construction is expected to shift from heavy structural work to the facade, mechanical systems and interior build-out in the coming months. City officials say they plan to keep updating residents on progress and on how the project is meeting its obligations.