The Wrigley Building is one of Chicago's most outstanding architectural symbols since the early 1920s. The building is a gleaming terracotta building that makes Chicago the location of unique American architectural design. In addition, the structure has retained its name and restored its historical integrity through renovation and maintenance. Therefore, it is positioned to provide a new combination of residents of the 21st century (Imanuel 3). In this regard, this work focuses on the importance of the building in the city of Chicago. In addition, it checks the owner of the structure, its architectural style, its architect and its history. Most importantly, it highlights the unique functions and technological innovations associated with it. significance Wrigley Building becomes the focus of the new Gateway to Chicago by creating the aperture of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920. Notably, as the first principal commercial building constructed in the north of the river, it initiated rapid industrial growth of North Michigan Avenue during the 1st half of the 20thcentury (Emanuel 3). Currently, the building serves as a business hub for retailers across Chicago. For instance, Peet's coffee and Tea are situated in the building with Ghirardelli opening a chocolate and ice cream shop in 2015. Also, it serves as a landmark of Chicago, bearing the history of the City.

Ownership

Initially, Wrigley building was the headquarters of Wrigley Company, the leading producer of Chewing Gum, headed by William Wrigler, Jr., who commissioned its construction (The Wrigley Building n.p). However, in 2011, the structure was sold to a group of investors that is BDT Capital Partners and Zeller Realty Group (The Wrigley Building n.p). BDT capital partners, LLC offer family-owned and entrepreneurially-led companies with permanent capital, while Zeller Realty Group offers a complete spectrum to the commercial real estate industry.

Location and description

Wrigley building is located 400-410N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, directly across the Tribune Tower. The structure comprises of two parts; 27-story south building, which has a 121-meter tower and was finished in 1921 (The Wrigley Building n.p). Additionally, the 21-story northern building was completed in 1924. The two structures are linked by an open walkway on street level and two raised walkways, on the 3rd and the other on the 13thfloor. On the other hand, the clock on the south building entails four huge dials. The diameter of each dial is around 6 meters, whereas the aluminum minute and hour hands are more than 2.8 meters and 1.8 meters respectively (The Wrigley Building n.p). More importantly, a cupola crowns the building.

Building style and architects

The building style of Wrigley is a representative of the designer inspired by various factors. For, instance, the designer planned the building about the Giralda Tower of the Cathedral in Seville, Spain. Additionally, the Cupola that crowns the structure was shaped after the Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. In general, the building style combines Spanish Revival technique and French Renaissance with an addition of an American twist. The building outlined by Charles Beersman, the lead architect for Anderson, Graham, White, and Probst, Charles was a successor to Daniel Burnham’s practice (Emanuel 3).

History of building

The history of building dates back to 12000 BCE where the hunter-gatherers of the late Stone Age made the earliest temporary shelters (Fletcher 5). Excavation of stones in circular rings in Europe is believed to be part of the shelters. More importantly, agricultural revolution at around 10000 BCE resulted in a significant stimulus to building and construction where people no longer moved in search of a game but resided in one place to tend their fields (Fletcher 7). For instance, the tholoi in Europe were constructed using dry-laid stone with ill-fated roofs. However, in the New Stone Age, 15200 BC, massive timber structures started to appear, despite the difficulty of cutting them using stones. Later, first fired brick emerged in Mesopotamia and the city was built using the technology. Additionally, bronze development in the same period replaced the stone tools, with tools such as saws and axes, which meant less effort to cut down trees for building. However, ancient Egyptians taught manon how to outline and erect structures, therefore, providing the foundation for man's settlement in a particular home. For example, the pyramids located at Saqqara, Northwest of Memphis were built by Egyptians between 2630 BC-2611 BC, and this revolutionized the field of construction (Fletcher 55). Later, in 1709, development of iron during the first industrial revolution led to machinery. For instance, Henry Cort came up with the pudding process for making polished metal in 1784. In the same year, he invented the 1st rolling mill to produce angles and rolled lengths of the wrought iron. Consequently, this led to standard iron buildings, which gave way to metal building development. As from the 19th-century, manufacturing of building materials, such as bricks was industrialized. Thus, it marks the turning point modernization in the building revolution.

Unique features of Wrigley building

Wrigley building has unique features which make it attractive. For instance, it is made of six shades tiles of white, from blue to white at the bottom to creamy-white at the top. As a result, the building looks brighter as it rises (The Wrigley Building n.p). Also, none of the four corners is at a right angle; the southeast corner is 132o, the northeast is 42o, northwest 102o and southwest is at 84o (The Wrigley Building n.p). On the other hand, there is technical innovation in the building, with floodlights that have more focused beams to minimize light pollution.

Conclusion

The Wrigley building is a symbolic structure in Chicago, bearing the history of the city. In this regard, it is regarded as the Gateway to Chicago by creating the aperture of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, as the first chief commercial building constructed north of the river. The building initiated rapid industrial growth of North Michigan Avenue during the 1st half of the 20th century. Further, it bears the history of building as from the 19thcentury, thus, a crucial structure in learning the development of modern building structure. Lastly, its unique features make it outstanding among other buildings in the world. Therefore, it should be well maintained for posterity.

Work Cited

Emanuel, Rahm. Landmark Designation Report. Chicago: Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, 2012. print.˂https://www.cityofchicago.org/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Wrigley_Building.pdf˃

Fletcher, Banister. A History of Architecture. London: ISBN, 1987. Print.

Group, Zeller Reality. The Wrigley Building. 2017. Inc. 14 November 2017.˂http://www.thewrigleybuilding.com/˃