The area around Wrigley Field is getting a makeover beginning next week
Wrigleyville has long been a sort of quasi-destination in Chicago, its crown jewel obviously being Wrigley Field. The local restaurants, shops and hangouts gave (and continue to give) the neighborhood character and keep visitors, as well as locals, coming back for more.
The scene is changing in Wrigleyville though, as the drawn-out process of redesigning the landscape of the neighborhood is about to get underway. A project that has its roots in 2007, prior to the Ricketts family purchasing the Cubs, is finally coming to fruition starting this month.
According to DNAChicago, demolition of a swath of real estate directly adjacent to Wrigley Field is set to begin on June 15. As local favorites such as Red Ivy and Salt & Pepper Diner close up shop for the final time, new, brand-name establishments will be popping up in their place. These new establishments will include a lot of apartments and new restaurants, as well as additional parking, according to the aforementioned DNAChicago article.
While the real estate in Wrigleyville is being updated and will certainly attract a crowd (not to mention bring in plenty of new revenue to the area), it’s hard to avoid the feeling that it may take away some of the charms of the neighborhood.
Change is not necessarily a bad thing, as hard as it can be to accept at times. A prime example of this is how the new video boards inside the park, while resisted by many at first, have become widely accepted. That being said, Wrigleyville’s local watering holes and restaurants add a sort of character that you simply don’t find in many places around the country. It’s a special feeling when you go to the park and see the unique local spots dotting your view around the friendly confines.
There’s a certain excitement surrounding the new demolition and subsequent construction in Wrigleyville. First of all, it’s just exciting to see what sort of new businesses, residences, etc. will neighbor what is arguably America’s most famous ballpark. Secondly, after experiencing years of fighting with aldermen, residents and a gaggle of other parties with varying levels of interest, aren’t we just curious to see what it all is eventually leading to?
The charm of Wrigleyville is still there and will remain for the long haul. We’ll just see it blended together with some dazzling new infrastructure in the near future.
Take a look at some images via Baum Realty below:
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