Wrigley Co. Leaving Namesake Building

Ajit Chouhan

In a move that probably wasn't shocking for its employees, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. announced that it was moving out of the Michigan Avenue building - and landmark - that bears its name and moving employees to the Goose Island campus it built in 2005.

Currently, about 250 Wrigley employees still work at the "Jewel of the Mag Mile," designed by the architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and built between 1921 and 1924. Wrigley vice president of corporate affairs Andy Pharaoh said in the announcement, "We want to co-locate all our functions in a modern environment that encourages creativity and collaboration." 500 Wrigley employees currently work in the new Goose Island campus and the remaining employees at the Wrigley Building will join them by the end of 2012.

The Wrigley Building is currently 60 percent occupied, with some offices having been vacant for over a decade. Wrigley has hired Jones Lang LaSalle to evaluate options, including a possible sale, for the building.

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By Chuck Sudo in News on July 21, 2011 4:40 PM

Comments [rss]

spudart

Are there any tours of the interior of the building? It would be great to see what the inside looks like.

BlueFairlane

Circa two years ago, their security was kinda lax, relatively speaking. You could probably have pulled off ChicagoD's suggestion then. I don't know if that's changed at all. Doubt it.

ChicagoD

Just wander in like you are going to see someone and see if you can get in . . .

Dave Dybczynski

Holy crap, 40% unoccupied? Ouch! Not good for such an iconic, architechturally important building.

I hope they keep the name. I mean, who the hell wants to visit Willis Tower? Or AON Center? Or U.S. Cellular Field? (Is U.S. Cellular even around anymore?) Or perhaps the most evil perpetrator, Macy's? Building names have value beyond business. http://www.npr.org/templates/s...

ChicagoD

That building needs a new owner who updates the mechanicals as well as the pretty parts. Doesn't make sense for Wrigley the gum company, but would for a property owner.

Joseph

What the hell is "U.S. Cellular Field"? Is that where the Shamrocks play?

BlueFairlane

Ever been in the Wrigley Building? It's carved up into tiny pieces, and most of the public areas look to have last been rennovated some 30 years ago. It's a worn building. In a market as flooded as this one, I'm not shocked by this figure.