Wrigley Field addition gets OK from landmark officials

Big changes are on deck at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs and partner Marquee Development prepare to move forward with a two-story triangular addition slated for the historic North Side ballpark's southeast corner.

The 22,350-square-foot so-called "mini triangle" structure will rise at the former location of the Captain Morgan Club, which was built in 1990. The Cubs first revealed plans to redevelop the corner site as part of the team's 2013 master plan. The addition doesn't require rezoning since it was already approved under Wrigley's existing Planned Development (PD). 

The updated design from architecture firm Gensler went before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks' Permit Review Committee on Thursday afternoon, where it was approved. The addition must also comply with standards for rehabilitation established by the National Park Service due to Wrigley's status as National Historic Landmark. Those reviews are still ongoing, according to landmark staff.

"[The addition] helps us expand our concourse and give additional space for fans to breathe," said Michael Lufrano, chief legal officer for the Cubs, at Thursday's meeting. "This location is one of few in which we can expand... We continue to work to balance the interests of preservation and of our building—which we know is a treasure to the city—with continuing to make it an exciting destination for our fans and to be able to add amenities that allow them to continue to enjoy it."

The triangular building will house new food and beverage offerings and is being eyed as a potential location for Wrigley's long-discussed on-site DraftKings sportsbook. That aspect of the proposal will require the City Council to pass an ordinance allowing sports betting within the city's stadiums, Crain's Chicago Business reported.

The Cubs organization did not respond to Urbanize Chicago's request for comment or answer questions regarding when they intend to break ground on the addition. When construction does begin, the project is expected to take roughly one year to complete, according to Crain's.