Wrigley Square
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wrigley Square | |
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| Type | Public park/Town Square |
| Location | Millennium Park Chicago, Illinois |
| Opened | October 30, 2002 |
| Operated by | City of Chicago |
| Status | Open all year |
Wrigley Square is a public square located in the northwest section of Millennium Park in the Historic Michigan Boulevard District of the Loop area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, USA. The square is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of East Randolph Street and North Michigan Avenue.[1] It contains the Millennium Monument, a nearly full-sized replica of the semicircle of paired Greek Doric-style columns (called a peristyle) that originally sat in this area of Grant Park, near Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, between 1917 and 1953.[1] The square also contains a large lawn and a public fountain.
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The square is a tree-lined section of Millennium Park with a large lawn. The area broadcasts free wifi wireless technology.[2] The square has earned a reputation as an outdoor culture spot by hosting a wide range of cultural events such as local and international art and photography exhibitions, as well as occasional live musical performances.[3] This reputation is reminiscent of the earlier neo-classical meeting place.[3] When Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley dedicated the square, it was dedicated to the donors, known as the Founders Group, who funded Millennium Park.[4]
An architectural model of Wrigley Square and Millennium Monument, designed by O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects, Inc. (OWP&P) in 2000, is on display at the Harold Washington Library Center.[5]
[edit] Original peristyle
In 1917, the original peristyle was designed by renowned Chicago planner Edward H. Bennett, who was Daniel Burnham's partner in the Plan of Chicago and who was known for designing the nearby Buckingham Fountain. It was located in Grant Park in the same location as the current Wrigley Square. The original peristyle rose to 40 feet (12.2 m) and had a diameter of 100 feet (30.5 m).[5] The original was made of concrete, which did not stand up to the Lake Michigan lakefront weather.[6] In 1953 it was razed to make way for the Grant Park North Garage.[5] The original peristyle was on a promenade with balustrades.[3]
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| Millennium Monument |
| O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects, Inc., 2002 |
| Limestone Peristyle sculpture 40 feet by 80 feet (12 m × 24 m) |
| Chicago, Illinois, Millennium Park |
[edit] Millennium Monument
A gift from the William Wrigley, Jr. Company, the limestone replica peristyle rises to a height of nearly 40 feet (12.2 m) (one source says the columns were planned to rise to 36 feet (11.0 m)),[7] restoring a classical elegance to Grant Park. The William Wrigley, Jr. Foundation contributed $5 million to the monument, and the entire square, which cost $5 million to build,[8] was named in its honor.[5] The Millennium Monument is a tribute to the individual, corporate and foundation benefactors of Millennium Park.[6] The pedestal of the peristyle is inscribed with the names of the 115 financial donors (including Oprah Winfrey) who made the 91 contributions of at least $1 million each to help pay for Millennium Park.[9] The New York Times describes the pedestal as French marble,[9] but other sources mention the use of French limestone.[7][6] These 115 donors are referred to as the founders of Millennium Park in official park brochures published by the City of Chicago and distributed at the visitor's centers as well as in other press accounts.[10][4] Their contributions not only paid for the construction of the park, but also provide for its ongoing conservation.[1]
The David Dillon and Michael Patrick Sullivan (of OWP&P) design is based on original drawings by Bennett found in the Chicago Park District's archive.[5]
Wrigley Company officials, including William Wrigley, Jr. II, wanted to contribute to Millennium Park, and the historic aspect of the peristyle was attractive to them partly because the original peristyle was constructed around the same time as the Wrigley Building, the corporate headquarters located a few blocks to the north, and because the classical architectural styles of both are similar.[5]
The 24 paired, fluted columns are the same height as the original peristyle. However, the structure was scaled down to an 80-foot (24.4 m) diameter in order to accommodate the accessible ramp that runs behind the monument.[5] Each of the limestone columns is cut from an Indiana quarry and made of five 2,200 pounds (997.9 kg/157.1 st) sections reinforced by steel rods and plates.[7] The fountain in front of the monument is a bronze-cast replica of the finials that adorn the Wrigley Building.[6] The brass spout was made from a mold of a terra cotta finail on the Wrigley Building.[11]
The front of the monument has a dedication plaque (pictured left). In addition, on the reverse side in approximately the same location, the monument has a special plaque commemorating John H. Bryan's contribution as the head of fundraising for the Park.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Art & Architecture: Wrigley Square and Millennium Monument (Peristyle). City of Chicago. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ Wi-Fi in Millennium Park. City of Chicago. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b c Cremin, Dennis H. and Elan Penn (January 28, 2006). Chicago: A Pictorial Celebration. Sterling, 99. ISBN 1402723873. cited at Wrigley Square. Google Books (2004-07-28). Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b Wrigley Square Dedicated To Donors Who Raised $100 Million For World-Class Park at Chicago's Front Door. Millennium Park News. Public Building Commission of Chicago (Summer/Fall 2003). Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g Millennium Park Inc. - Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square Series. Chicago Public Library. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b c d Millennium Monument Plaque, William Wrigley, Jr. Foundation, dedicated October 30, 2002
- ^ a b c Nevala, Amy E. (2002-03-09). Millennium Park gets look of old - After 5 decades, city re-creates classical peristyle. Chicago Tribune. Newsbank. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ Ford, Liam (2004-07-11). City to finally open its new front yard - Millennium Park's price tag tripled. Chicago Tribune. Newsbank. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ a b Bernstein, Fred A. (2004-07-18). ART/ARCHITECTURE; Big Shoulders, Big Donors, Big Art. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2008-06-01.
- ^ "Millennium Park", a brochure by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, February 2007
- ^ Pictorial Chicago: Fountain in Wrigley Square, Brass Spout. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
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