Wrigley Square

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.[11] The original peristyle rose to 40 feet (12.2 m) and had a diameter of 100 feet (30.5 m).[10] The original was made of concrete, which did not stand up to the Lake Michigan lakefront weather.[12] In 1953 it was razed to make way for the Grant Park North Garage.[10] The original peristyle was on a promenade with balustrades.[6]

Millennium Monument
Artist	O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects, Inc.
Year	2002
Type	Limestone Peristyle sculpture
Dimensions	40 feet (12 m)
Location	Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois

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)),[13] 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,[14] was named in its honor.[10] The Millennium Monument is a tribute to the individual, corporate and foundation benefactors of Millennium Park.[12] 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.[15] The New York Times describes the pedestal as French marble,[15] but other sources mention the use of French limestone.[12][13] 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.[7][16] Their contributions not only paid for the construction of the park, but also provide for its ongoing conservation.[2]

Millennium Monument plaque

Monument with Smurfit Stone Building, One Prudential Plaza and Aon Center

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.[10]

The naming rights of the space belong to Wm. Wrigley Jr, the foundation that created the world's famous chewing gum.[17] 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.[10]

Viewed with Smurfit Stone Building

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.[10] Each of the limestone columns is cut from an Indiana quarry [18] and made of five 2,200 pounds (997.9 kg; 157.1 st) sections reinforced by steel rods and plates.[13] The fountain in front of the monument is a bronze-cast replica of the finials that adorn the Wrigley Building.[12] The brass spout was made from a mold of a terra cotta finail on the Wrigley Building.[19]

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.

The original model of the Millennium Monument was the starting point of the Peristyle appearance in Chicago. To this day, it is said to not compare to the once "commanding presence" that once stood in its place, before being demolished and replaced with an underground parking garage.[20] The new monument was downsized by approximately 15% to accommodate a wheel-chair ramp for the disabled in a tight space.[20] It also includes a "classical" take on the original, incorporating a fountain at the base of the limestone, Doric, column monument.[20] The monument, despite being relatively small in comparison to the rest of Grant Park, makes its presence known as the central focus to shape Wrigley Square and the surrounding landscape.[20] Wrigley Square is unique for its fountain that, unlike Buckingham Fountain, which is fenced off, remains open with a circular ledge to allow park-goers the freedom to sit next to the open water to enjoy the atmosphere.[20]