The Wrigley family's architectural legacy spans across multiple states and reflects the immense wealth generated by their chewing gum empire. What began as a teenage soap-selling venture in Philadelphia evolved into one of America's most recognizable brands, with the profits funding an impressive collection of mansions, estates, and iconic buildings that continue to captivate visitors today.
William Wrigley Jr. arrived in Chicago in 1891 at age 32 with a young family and exceptional salesmanship skills. When merchants showed little interest in his father's soap, Wrigley sweetened deals by offering umbrellas and baking powder as incentives, eventually adding chewing gum to the mix. The gum quickly stole the spotlight, and within two years, Juicy Fruit and Spearmint had become household names across America.
By the early 1900s, Wrigley's gum empire was generating over $1 million annually, allowing the family to move from modest Near North Side apartments to grand homes that still impress Chicagoans today. While most people associate the Wrigley name with the famous Wrigley Building on North Michigan Avenue or the ivy-covered ballpark in Lakeview, the family built an extensive portfolio of impressive architectural properties using profits from their minty empire.
"The Wrigley family lived extravagantly," said Robert Sharoff, author of "The Wrigley Building: The Making of an Icon." "Chicago at the turn of the century was on fire, a go-go economy, and they rode that wave. They always wanted to make a big statement, and architecture was one of the boldest expressions of their identity and status."
The family's first major Chicago residence was located at 1401 N. Astor Street, where William, his wife Ada, daughter Dorothy, and son Phillip moved in 1896. Following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, developers had transformed the swampy North Side into what would become the glittering Gold Coast, attracting affluent buyers by invoking the prestige of businessman John Jacob Astor. The Romanesque Revival home reflected the opulence of the Gilded Age, serving as the family residence until 1910, the same year Wrigley began expanding his chewing gum empire internationally into Canada. The historic home is currently listed for sale at $3.4 million.
As Wrigley's business soared, so did his real estate ambitions. In 1911, the family moved to an even grander residence at 2466 N. Lakeview Avenue near Lincoln Park's North Pond. This Renaissance Revival mansion, designed in 1896 by Richard E. Schmidt, featured ornate baroque terra cotta details and a distinctive copper roof. The lavish 15,000-square-foot estate included eight bedrooms, a ballroom, a solarium, and even a walk-in, Prohibition-era safe. This magnificent property sold in 2018 for $4.6 million.
The crown jewel of Wrigley's architectural legacy remains the iconic Wrigley Building, constructed between 1920 and 1924 as corporate headquarters for the Wrigley Company. Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, this Spanish Colonial Revival structure at 400-410 N. Michigan Avenue was William Wrigley Jr.'s architectural love letter to Chicago. The two-tower building, complete with its four-faced clock, drew inspiration from Seville's Giralda Tower while incorporating French Renaissance flourishes and a gleaming white terra cotta facade that brightens as it rises, revealing six distinct shades of white.
Despite costing a staggering $8 million in the early 1920s, the Wrigley Building was never profitable. "It was a statement," Sharoff explained. "Even when elevator automation became the norm, they insisted on employing uniformed, old-fashioned elevator operators. Not for efficiency, but for experience. It was a costly choice, yet it reflected their belief that refinement and personal service mattered." While the Wrigley Company no longer maintains its headquarters in this historic building, it continues operations at the Global Innovation Center on Goose Island as part of Mars Wrigley Confectionery.
In 1921, William Wrigley Jr. acquired controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs and their ballpark, then known as Cubs Park, both as a strategic business move and reflection of his genuine love for baseball. He renamed the venue Wrigley Field in 1926. Originally built in 1914 by Charles Weeghman for the short-lived Chicago Whales of the Federal League, the ballpark is beloved for its ivy-covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard, and iconic red marquee entrance. Designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, often called the Frank Lloyd Wright of baseball, it redefined early 20th-century sports architecture.
During the 1920s, as Wrigley gum production approached 10 billion sticks annually, William and Ada moved into a luxurious nine-bedroom duplex at 1500 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The limestone-and-brick building, designed by renowned New York architect Rosario Candela, featured sophisticated touches including coffered ceilings, silver vaults, and a marble-clad lobby. This development set new standards for high-rise living, with all 57 units selling before the Great Depression struck. The Wrigley family maintained residence here until 1977, and the unit remains privately owned.
Beyond Chicago, the Wrigley family established an impressive collection of vacation properties, particularly around Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. After the Great Chicago Fire, the city's elite sought refuge from smoke and soot, and thanks to convenient train connections, Geneva Lake's shores became known as the "Newport of the Midwest." Green Gables, built in 1892 for sportsman C.K.G. Billings, became the flagship of the Wrigley family estates when William purchased it in 1911. The mansion received mid-century updates in 1966, including electric flagpoles and automated draperies. Phillip Wrigley was living here at the time of his death on April 12, 1977.
The family's Lake Geneva holdings expanded to include Hillcroft, originally named Gay Lynne and built in the 1880s as a hunting lodge before Wrigley acquired it in 1927. This estate features 415 feet of lakefront property spanning nearly 20 acres. In 1958, the Wrigleys purchased Wychwood, built in 1902 for banking magnate and Art Institute of Chicago founder Charles Hutchinson. Named after the native witch hazel plants on its grounds, this estate added further depth to the family's Geneva Lake presence and remains in Wrigley ownership today.
Additional Lake Geneva properties included Northwoodside and Shorewood. Originally built in 1876 for railroad executive Henry Strong, Northwoodside was acquired by Philip Wrigley in the 1970s to prevent subdivision. The Wrigleys carefully restored the home and constructed Shorewood next door, echoing its architectural style. These sister estates, nestled beside Green Gables, remain within the extended Wrigley family, helping preserve Lake Geneva's pristine shoreline.
The family's California presence was equally impressive, beginning with Tournament House in Pasadena. Wrigley's 1914 purchase of this 1906 mansion established his place on the city's famous Millionaire's Row. Surrounded by Wrigley Gardens, featuring over four acres filled with 1,500 varieties of roses, camellias, and seasonal blooms, the 21-room estate includes a grand dining room and solarium. Ada Wrigley particularly enjoyed watching the Rose Parade from the mansion's front porch. Following her death in 1958, the Wrigley heirs donated the estate to the City of Pasadena with the stipulation that it serve as permanent headquarters for the Tournament of Roses. Free guided tours are available from May through August.
Perhaps the most remarkable Wrigley property was Mount Ada on Santa Catalina Island, located about 22 miles off the Southern California coast. William Wrigley Jr. purchased nearly the entire island in 1919, creating a unique retreat where visitors can enjoy beaches, hiking through coastal sage scrub and oak woodlands, and horseback riding past resident bison herds. The family retreat, Mount Ada, was named after the Wrigley matriarch and built between 1919 and 1921. Designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, the same architect behind Wrigley Field, this Georgian Colonial Revival mansion sits at the island's highest point, strategically positioned to capture both morning's first light and sunset's final rays while commanding sweeping views of Avalon Bay and the town below.
Wrigley's love for Catalina Island's natural beauty drove his commitment to its preservation. His descendants donated 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, ensuring protection for future generations. Today, Mount Ada operates as a luxury bed and breakfast, allowing guests to experience the grandeur of the Wrigley lifestyle.
The family's final major architectural acquisition was the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, built in 1931 on the southern slopes of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve within the Camelback Corridor. This Spanish Colonial-style mansion was William's gift to Ada, serving as a convenient midpoint between Chicago and California. The estate became a popular gathering spot for players and company executives. William Wrigley Jr. died while residing here on January 26, 1932, at age 70. Today, the historic home operates as a restaurant and offers guided tours, allowing visitors to experience another chapter of the Wrigley architectural legacy.
From humble beginnings selling soap in Philadelphia to creating an architectural empire spanning four states, the Wrigley family's building legacy demonstrates how American entrepreneurial success translated into lasting cultural landmarks. Their properties continue to serve communities through preservation efforts, tourism, and adaptive reuse, ensuring that the Wrigley name remains synonymous with both confectionery excellence and architectural grandeur.
