Wrigley Building

by Suzanne Hanney

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.

Wrigley Building

Anne Evans, courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center