The Chicago Cubs and partner Marquee Development are moving forward with a two-story triangular addition for the historic North Side ballpark's southeast corner. The 22,350 square foot triangular structure will rise at the former location of the Captain Morgan Club.
Urbanize Chicago reports that the addition doesn't require rezoning since it was already approved under Wrigley's existing Planned Development.
The updated design by architecture firm Gensler went before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks' Permit Review Committee and was approved. The addition has to comply with standards for rehabilitation established by the National Park Service due to Wrigley's status as a National Historic landmark.
"The addition helps us expand our concourse and give additional space for fans to breathe. 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."
Chief legal officer for the Cubs | Michael Lufrano
The triangular building will feature 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 according to Crain's Chicago Business.
When construction does begin, it is expected to take roughly one year to complete.
The Real Deal states that resistance to the sportsbook is expected due to fears that it would compete with a future Chicago casino. Another roadblock is the need for a license from the Illinois Gaming Board to operate the sportsbook, for which the Cubs would need to pay a $10 million fee.
A state law legalized sports betting in Illinois last year. The state can grant up to seven sports betting licenses within a five-block radius of a 17,000 seat stadium, which includes Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field and the United Center.
Crain's Chicago Business states that Alderman Walter Burnett introduced an ordinance to allow sports betting inside the city's major stadiums just last month, but the proposal was sent to the Council's Rules Committee, which could stall its consideration.
Under Burnett's proposal, the city would get annual licensing fees from sportsbook operators - $50,000 for the first year and $25,000 per year after that - and a portion of gambling revenue would go to the state.
The sportsbook addition would be an extension of the massive renovation of the ballpark and redevelopment of its surrounding area that the Ricketts family, which owns the Cubs, has completed over the past seven years.
As part of a highly contentious process several years ago to win approval for the venue's transformation, the family won city approval for a development at the corner of Addison and Sheffield.
The National Park Service last fall also designated the restored ballpark as a National Historic Landmark, making the Ricketts family eligible to be reimbursed for 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs. In 2014 that credit was said to be worth some $75 million. The Park Service also needs to approve the plan for the new facility.
DraftKings co-founder and President Matt Kalish stated that the Wrigley Field sportsbook would be a "flagship destination" for the company and the largest individual sportsbook in the United States. A restaurant and bar are also planned with the sportsbook.
