The Wrigley Building in Chicago

Written by Julie Greiner

Majestically rising toward the sky on the north bank of the Chicago River at the southern end of the "Magnificent Mile" is one of America's most famous skyscrapers. At nighttime with floodlights streaming - the building is one of the nation's major commercial lighting displays. To Chicago residents and visitors alike - the distinctively illuminated white skyscraper pinnacling to a majestic clock tower is an unforgettable sight.

History of the Wrigley Building in Chicago

William Wrigley, Jr., the successful chewing gum manufacturer, in search of an impressive main office for his company, picked the present location of the Wrigley Building in 1920. The building was completed in 1924 and consists of two sections connected by an open walkways between the 3rd and 14th floors. The north tower consists of 21 stories and the south tower stands 30 stories high measuring 425 feet. The night flood lights were originally turned on in 1921. The illumination consists of some 116, 1,000-watt metal halide lamps installed on the south side of the Chicago River, seven street-level The Wrigley Building in Chicago depicting The Two Towers

The Wrigley Building in Chicago depicting The Two Towers

lamps and 16 halide lamps to the west of the building. The graduating illumination of the building towards the top is achieved by the 62 lights which are mounted on the building itself.

Wrigley Building Clock Tower

The Wrigley Plaza which is now situated between the two towers was originally designed by the Wrigley Building's architects Graham, Anderson and Probst, but was not built until 1957 by Louis Solomon and John Cordwell. The giant two-story clock has four -nineteen and a half feet in diameter clock dials. Each of the dials have an hour hand measuring 6.5 feet and a minute hand equalling 9 feet 2 inches long. The exterior of the structure is a special glazed tile of terra cotta, which gives it a creamy white color. The Celestial Wrigley Guard Cow stands in front of the Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue, unphased by the towering buildings or tourists.

Occupants of the Wrigley Building in Chicago

The building is the national headquarters of the Wrigley Company, and also home to many other companies. Tenants include newspaper and magazine publishers, marketing firms, republic relations companies, a full-service bank, The 410 Club and manufacturing firms. Some 1,300 people work at the Wrigley Building on a daily basis. The Wrigley Building was patterned after the Seville Cathedral's Giralda Tower in Spain. Charles Beersman was the chief designer for Graham, Anderson, Probst and White. The Wrigley Building's famous neighboring buildings are the Tribune Tower built in 1925, the 333 North

The Wrigley Celestial Guard Cow at The Wrigley Building in Chicago

Photo by Eric Carlson

Michigan Avenue Building built in 1928 and the Guarantee Building built in 1923. The Wrigley Building stands out with its white terra-cotta cladding and the nighttime floodlighting. The Wrigley Plaza connects Michigan Avenue with River Plaza and Chicago Sun-Times Plaza with a crosswalk over Rush Street. The Wrigley Building is referred to as the Jewel of "The Mile."