Bally’s Corporation introduced that it has closed a transaction with one in every of Chicago’s main actual property non-public fairness companies. For $200 million, the investor acquired the roughly 30-acre Tribune Publishing Center web site on which Bally’s Chicago will probably be constructed.
The investor was not named within the announcement.
Bally’s entered right into a floor lease with the investor to lease again the land. The floor lease contains an preliminary 99-year time period, adopted by ten separate 20-year renewals at Bally’s choice.
As a part of the transaction, as specified development milestones are accomplished, at Bally’s request, the investor will fund as much as a further $300 million for Bally’s Chicago’s improvement by the bottom lease construction.
The preliminary rental fee underneath the bottom lease is calculated to yield the investor an 8.5% annual capitalization fee, adjusting to a 7.0% annual capitalization fee upon the receipt by Bally’s of sure improvement entitlements and gaming approvals. The lease can also be topic to periodic CPI will increase.
Soo Kim, Chairman of the Board of Bally’s, stated: “We are excited to be partnering with one of Chicago’s leading real estate private equity firms as we progress with building our $1.7 billion flagship property in the Chicago market. We continue demonstrating our commitment to delivering a world-class entertainment facility that supports Chicago’s economy and community.”
Bobby Lavan, Chief Financial Officer of Bally’s, stated: “This transaction is an important step in our development plan for Bally’s Chicago as we continue to work towards opening the temporary casino in mid-2023. With this new real estate partnership, Bally’s has ample liquidity on hand to fund Bally’s Chicago without needing to access the capital markets.”
Bally’s can repurchase the land from the investor at a set capitalization fee throughout years 4 by eight of the lease time period. In addition, if sure milestones are usually not achieved or Bally’s defaults underneath the lease, the investor might require Bally’s to reacquire the land at a specified value.
Bally’s Chicago comes at a $1.7 billion price ticket.
Bally’s Chicago will embrace 3,400 slots and 170 desk video games. The challenge additionally offers Bally’s with the unique proper to function a brief on line casino for as much as three years whereas the everlasting on line casino is constructed.
