A 147,000 square-foot casino under construction in northwest suburban Des Plaines is more than one-third complete and on schedule to open in late summer 2011. The $445 million complex, located at River Road and Devon Avenue, will feature a 43,000 square-foot casino floor (including a high-limit gaming area), and a variety of food and beverage venues including a steakhouse, a buffet, a quick casual burger bar, and a sports bar/entertainment lounge, according to Midwest Gaming & Entertainment. When completed, the casino will be home to approximately 1,000 permanent jobs and will generate more than $150 million in annual gaming tax revenue for the state, Des Plaines, and other communities.

Four and a half miles north of the casino’s site is Lexington Park, Lexington Homes‘ new community of two- and three-bedroom townhomes in downtown Des Plaines. All homes at Lexington Park include brushed nickel lighting fixtures; oversized private balconies; kitchens with 42-inch maple cabinets and GE stainless steel appliances; and a dual-bowl, raised-height bath vanities. Buyers also can select options and upgrades, such as fireplaces, alternate bedroom configurations, and additional powder rooms. The three-story homes come standard with two to three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and attached two-car garages, and are base-priced from $239,990 to $259,990.

Lexington Park’s sales center, located at 1232 Harding Ave in Des Plaines, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call 847-299-0500 or visit www.LexingtonChicago.com.