Hands-Off Approach Not Working When it Comes to Preserving the Wrigley Building

Chicago's Wrigley Building is a standout among the city's rich architectural heritage. City officials never formally gave it landmark status because they felt the Wrigley family would never mar their history, but the building has a new owner now.

1 minute read

September 21, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Blair Kamin reports on new efforts to get the building landmarked, after "a clinical, refrigerator-style wall was slapped onto one of the facades facing the plaza". Despite that effort, he says the new owners say they are seeking landmark status, and that it would be to their benefit:

"A special Cook County tax classification known as "Class L" provides property tax reductions if an owner invests at least half of a protected landmark's assessed value in significant rehabilitation. The plan applies to a variety of uses, including large-scale commercial buildings.

On the other hand, the new owners might find landmark designation restrictive."

The Wrigley Building, Chicago. Photo: Wikimedia.

FULL STORY: The Wrigley Building: It's time to protect 'an architectural treasure'

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 in The Chicago Tribune

Architecture History / Preservation Illinois

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