Wrigley Building Drawing by Kevin S. What are some features of the Wrigley Building? When was it built? Where is it located? Who was the architect? Why is it important?   Show me a map! Go to a website about the Wrigley Building.   Photo by Doug Fogelson         What are some features of the Wrigley Building? The Wrigley Building is home of the Wrigley Chewing Gum Company, which was founded by William Wrigley Jr. The Wrigley Building has powerful floodlights shining on it at night that make it a very nice scene. It has the pattern of the Seville Cathedral in Spain, which some say looks like "a luscious birthday cake down whose sides someone had drawn his fingers." The Wrigley Building also has a giant clock that has an hour hand that is 6 feet 9 inches long. Part of the movie "The Fugitive" was filmed on the Wrigley Building's lower level. Return to Top       When was it built? The Wrigley Building was built in 1919 and it was the first large office building built north of the Chicago River. When it was built, there was not a north tower. The north tower was added in 1925. Return to Top       Where is it located? It is located at 400 North Michigan Avenue, across the street from Tribune Tower and next to the Chicago River. It is on the "Magnificent Mile," a mile on North Michigan Avenue with great shops and famous buildings. Return to Top       Who was the architect? Charles Beersman, who was the chief designer for the architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, designed the Wrigley Building. Return to Top       Why is it important? The Wrigley Building was founded by William Wrigley Jr. He started off as a soap salesman who gave away baking powder for free if people bought the soap. People started liking the baking powder more than the soap so he started selling baking powder. He gave away chewing gum for free with his baking soda. People liked the gum, so he decided that he should sell chewing gum. He started his own gum company and became a great success. He needed headquarters for his company so he built the Wrigley Building. The Wrigley Building is a memorial to this great man. Return to Top    BUILDINGS | ARCHITECTS | BASICS | GAMES | LINKS | BIBLIOGRAPHY | ABOUT US | EMAIL | HOME