Wrigley Building Wrigley Building
Completed in 1921, the 24-story original Wrigley Building was the first major commercial structure constructed north of the Chicago River after the opening of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920, “the new Gateway of Greater Chicago.” As a result, the building “inaugurated the rapid commercial development of North Michigan Avenue during the first half of the 20th century,” according to its City of Chicago landmark designation report. Because it is located at a bend in the Chicago River at the northwest intersection with Michigan Avenue, the Wrigley Building can be seen as far south as Roosevelt Road. Along with its 16-story annex built in 1924, it is one of Chicago’s most recognizable buildings, because it has always been lit at night. Giving it a “wedding cake effect” are its 250,000 terra cotta tiles in varying shades of white, lighter near the top. Commissioned by William Wrigley Jr., owner of the largest manufacturer of gum products in the world, the building was designed by Charles G. Beersman. The main structure is in the 16th century French Renaissance style of Francis I, with fleur-de-lis, gryphons (mythical winged creatures with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion) as well as swags, urns and cornucopia. Its 11-story clock tower was inspired by the Giralda Tower of the Spanish Renaissance Seville Cathedral, with Moorish influences.
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The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance in 1913 and then a bond issue for construction of the bridge and widening of Michigan Avenue. The North Central Business District Association was formed that same year around the same two goals. Bennett, who headed the association’s architects’ committee, advocated public spaces at both ends of the bridge, to provide the setting for “a grand architectural ensemble worthy of the Chicago of the future," on what the North Central Association hoped would become "the World’s Greatest Thoroughfare,” according to the Landmarks Commission. Bennett himself designed the four Beaux Arts style bridge tenders’ houses. In addition, the architects’ committee promoted the idea of monumental buildings at each of the four corners of the Michigan Avenue Bridge as gateposts to the new boulevard. Eventually, their vision was completed with construction of the Wrigley Building (1921), the London Guarantee and Accident Building (1923), Tribune Tower (1925) and 333 North Michigan Avenue (1927-28). Meanwhile, land acquisition began in 1916, Michigan Avenue widening and bridge construction in 1918. When it was completed after two years at a cost of $14.9 million (equivalent to $222.4 million today), the Michigan Avenue Bridge was called the most important realization of the Plan of Chicago since its publication in 1909. A month before the new bridge opened, William Wrigley Jr. announced that he had already laid the foundations for the first commercial structure on Michigan Avenue built north of the river after its widening. Wrigley was the world’s largest producer of chewing gum, with annual sales of $27 million by 1919, and he sought a new site for his corporate headquarters, which had grown rapidly and moved several times around Chicago. Wrigley Building (Anne Evans, courtesy of the Chicago Architrcture Center). The Michigan Avenue Bridge shortly after it opened in 1920 (Library of Congress). London House (Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center).
