Construction On New Hollywood Casino Aurora Making progress
As construction moves into the next phase of development at the new Hollywood Casino–Aurora Resort, many people who have followed the project from the beginning are excited to see long-awaited plans coming to fruition.
The exterior of the $360million development is nearly complete, allowing work to shift to the interior of the resort and marking another major milestone for one of the largest entertainment projects in the area.
Rising along Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road - directly across from Chicago Premium Outlets and just off Interstate 88 - the sprawling complex will replace the city’s longtime downtown casino.
Ground was officially broken in November 2023, and despite a winter marked by unusually heavy, record-setting snowfall, the project has remained on schedule.
Hollywood Casino–Aurora General Manager Greg Moore said the property is expected to welcome guests by the end of 2026.
Nearly all exterior construction has been completed, with only several digital billboards left to install. Most of the landscaping is finished, and work is now focused primarily on interior development.
The past 12 months have brought visible progress. The hotel tower is scheduled to be completed by December 2024, standing seven stories tall and fully enclosed.
The entertainment center is also completely enclosed, including the large precast parking structure that will accommodate 1,000 vehicles.
Construction remains on track. Bathrooms have been installed on the lower floors, and crews are working their way up the hotel one floor at a time.
Most of the kitchen infrastructure has been built out, and the raised gaming floor is expected to be installed soon.
Electrical and other technical wiring—essential to a modern casino floor - continues, and Moore said this work is nearing completion as well.
Once open, the resort will feature approximately 1,200 gaming positions, 220 hotel rooms, an on-site retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment space, a full-service spa, and roughly 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
Multiple restaurants and bars will also be part of the property, designed to attract guests beyond the gaming floor.
Looking For An Online Casino? Check Out Our Latest Reviews!
Dining is expected to be a major highlight. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will open Sorella, an Italian steakhouse offering fresh pasta, steaks, Roman-style pizza, and other Italian specialties, complete with an open kitchen and outdoor seating.
The resort will also debut the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, developed in partnership with McClain Camarota Hospitality and led by James Beard Award–winning chef Shawn McClain.
The food hall lineup will include Lucky Goat, a new burger concept from chef Stephanie Izard; the first suburban locations of Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream; and the Chicago-area debut of Five50 Pizza.
While You Are Here, Why Not Check Out Our: Casino Games Hub & Free Slots?
A similar food hall and a De Laurentiis restaurant are also planned for Hollywood Casino’s new Joliet location.
Beyond its dining and entertainment offerings, the development is expected to be a major employer in the region.
The Aurora casino is projected to employ approximately 800 people at launch, more than double the workforce of the current downtown facility at the start of the year.
As interior construction continues, city officials and casino leaders say the steady progress signals that the long-awaited resort is moving closer to its debut, positioning it as a new entertainment anchor for Aurora and the surrounding region.
