Wrigley Building
[Wrigley Building (1921/1924) Charles G. Beersman; Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, architects /Image & Artwork: designslinger]
In October 2006, Bill Wrigley, Jr. II turned over the reins of running his great-grandfather's company to a non-family member, and for the first time in its history the William Wrigley, Jr. Company didn't have a Wrigley in the CEOs chair. In April 2008, the Mars Inc., makers of candy and assorted goods, bought Wrigley for $23 billion in cash. Bill kept his title as chairman, thereby keeping the family name connected to the business. In January 2010 however, Wrigley sent an inter-office email to employees informing them that he would be stepping down as chairman at the end of the month, and there were no more Wrigleys at Wrigley. Then, on September 19, 2011 it was announced that Mars, Inc. had sold the world-famous building combo bearing the Wrigley name to a group of Chicago investors for a reported $30 million. William Wrigley, Jr. had spent about $7 million ($93m in today's inflated dollars) in the early 1920s to build his two, sparkling, terra-cotta towers.
[Wrigley Building, 410 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago /Image & Artwork: designslinger]
When Wrigley decided to build his corporate headquarters on the bank of the Chicago River in 1919 the property looked very different. Michigan Avenue, north of the river, was called Pine Street and there was no Michigan Avenue Bridge. The river was still lined with warehouses, taking in and unloading freight from ships moored right along the buildings' riverside edge. One such building sat where the Bridge and Wrigley's building are located today, occupied by the James S. Kirk Company, soap makers. Wrigley started his company selling soap and baking soda, and as an incentive to buy his product placed a stick of chewing gum into each package, and when the gum proved to be more popular than the soap or soda he got into the gum business.
[Wrigley Building /Image & Artwork: designslinger]
The Wrigley offices were across the river in 1919, but the chewing gum magnate saw potential in the run down industrial site at the foot of Pine Street when the city of Chicago announced plans to build a bridge across the river at Michigan and Pine. He purchased long term leaseholds on the land and hired the classically-inclined architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White to design the building. A young, up-and-coming architect at the firm, Charles G. Beersman, was given the assignment, and construction of the clock tower building rose up over the construction site of the nearly finished bridge. The building opened in 1921, with the Wrigley company occupying floors 14, 15 & 16, while the remainder was rented out to other tenants.The building and site proved to be a powerful draw since the tower was 95% leased before constrcution was completed. If one building could lease so well, why not two? So 1924, the North Building opened, and in the early 30s a sky bridge was built connecting the pair.
The new owners plan on a complete revamp of the interior, wiring it for the 21st century. They are also applying to have the building designated a historic landmark, something the Wrigleys never sought to do. It will give the investors a series of tax breaks, which means that the exterior cannot be altered without going through a lengthy series of hearings. Will the Wrigley name stay? The remaining Wrigley employees will move to a research center that the company owns on the city's near north side at Goose Island, so only time will tell. The Sears company vacated their tall tower in 1992, but the name stuck until 2010. The Marshall Field's store occupied the corner of State and Randolph for 138 years before being renamed Macy's on State Street, although in a nod to history and the outcry over the name change, the building still has the bronze plaques that read Marshall Field & Company, attached to its corners.
Posted by designslinger at 9/26/2011 4:17 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Architects, History
Tags: Graham Anderson Probst and White Charles G. Beersman Michigan Avenue Michigan Avenue Bridge
Categories: Architecture, Architects, History
Tags: Graham Anderson Probst and White Charles G. Beersman Michigan Avenue Michigan Avenue Bridge
Hello -
First of all, thanks for this wonderful blog! I just found it through the article in the Reader and it is WONDERFUL.
I'm wondering if there is any way to search for a word throughout all you've posted on the site, e.g., the name of a street or architect?
You don't need to post this, I didn't see another way to contact you.
Again, thanks! This makes me so happy to be a Chicagoan!
cheers, Mary
Wow! You're so generous in your compliments. Thanks!! Unfortunately our blog hosting service program doesn't have a search feature. Bummer. But, we try to link you up to other posts that might be of interest related to the architect, street or neighborhood, as well as including tags that may lead you to more information. Hope that helps. And again, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
What do you know about the 2000 Lincoln Park West building? it was also built by Wrigley in the 20's. there are interesting reliefs on the building including devils..any info?
Don't have much info on the building. Thanks for asking though. Looks like we have another post topic to add to a very long list!