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Wrigley Field construction update: March 30

Photos from around the ballpark — and Opening Day at the Hotel Zachary.

By Al Yellon
  • Wintrust signage now at Gate D, Addison and Sheffield David Sameshima
  • Former Sheffield Grill/Decades Diner space, along Sheffield Avenue, still exposed David Sameshima
  • Construction tarps mostly removed, along Addison Street David Sameshima
  • Former office space, on the Addison Street side of the marquee, has been rebuilt David Sameshima
  • A wider view of the rebuilt former office space, near the marquee David Sameshima
  • View at Clark and Addison David Sameshima
  • Work ongoing in the upper deck, to the east of the marquee David Sameshima
  • A wide view, at Clark and Addison David Sameshima
  • Another angle, at Clark and Addison David Sameshima
  • The new elevator shaft, to the north of the marquee David Sameshima
  • Signage along the Clark Street curb, waiting to be put up in front of Hotel Zachary David Sameshima
  • Finishing touches at one of the restaurants inside Hotel Zachary David Sameshima
  • Big Star signage, on the Patterson Street side of Hotel Zachary David Sameshima
  • Big Star signage, at the corner of Clark and Patterson David Sameshima
  • Beer trucks making deliveries at Hotel Zachary David Sameshima
  • Construction along Clark Street, across from the Park At Wrigley David Sameshima
  • Temporary narrowed sidewalks on Clark Street, due to new concrete David Sameshima
  • Temporarily closed sidewalks, due to traffic signal installation, at Clark and Waveland David Sameshima
  • Newly installed traffic signals, at Clark and Waveland, flashing red David Sameshima
  • View looking east, at the Clark and Waveland intersection David Sameshima
  • View from the staircase, looking down at the Hotel Zachary entrance David Sameshima
  • Photographs in the entrance of Hotel Zachary David Sameshima
  • View of the bar/restaurant space, at the top of the staircase, on the second floor David Sameshima
  • The “lobby” space, in front of the registration desk, on the second floor David Sameshima
  • The hotel bar, on the second floor. The windows face Wrigley David Sameshima
  • Seating area, next to the bar David Sameshima
  • The windows across from the bar, that face Wrigley David Sameshima
  • Breakfast room, adjacent to the second floor bar David Sameshima
  • Space across from the breakfast room David Sameshima
  • Second floor breakfast room, next to the bar David Sameshima
  • Another look at the second floor bar David Sameshima
  • Rendering of Federal League Park, by Zachary Davis, in the second floor lobby David Sameshima
  • View of the back of the second floor bar David Sameshima
  • A look from the second floor reception desk David Sameshima
  • A wider view of the second floor space in front of the reception desk David Sameshima
  • Books on display in the lobby space. They included books on Zachary Taylor Davis, architecture and design David Sameshima
  • The staircase leading to the second floor lobby David Sameshima
  • Inside the hotel entrance David Sameshima
  • Guests checking into the hotel, on Clark Street David Sameshima
  • The McDonalds, at Hotel Zachary (Photo taken on Friday.) David Sameshima
  • Construction in the upper deck, to the north of the marquee David Sameshima
  • The Clark Street side, north of the marquee David Sameshima
  • View of the Addison and Clark Project, at Clark and Addison David Sameshima
  • View from Clark & Addison David Sameshima
  • Hotel Zachary parking garage not yet open David Sameshima
  • Another view of the hotel parking entrance David Sameshima
  • Delivery truck waiting on Addison Street David Sameshima

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Earlier today you saw Sara Sanchez’ review of the Hotel Zachary. BCB’s David Sameshima was also at the hotel Friday, and in addition, he took a walk around the ballpark to see how things are going with construction, with the home opener just nine days away.

Here’s the report he sent me.

I had the opportunity to visit Wrigley after work on Friday afternoon. I was fortunate enough to arrive after they opened up Hotel Zachary.

Before getting to the hotel, I did spot the new signage at Gate D at Addison and Sheffield. I did take some photos of the ballpark, but did not have time to do a complete walk around.

Due to all the retail space on the first floor of Hotel Zachary, the lobby is located on the second floor. When you walk into the hotel entrance, there is only a small space inside. One takes the stairs, or elevator, up to the second floor. The elevator leads directly to the registration desk. I took the stairs, and it leads directly to the bar/restaurant space.

There is an open lobby type area, between the registration desk and the bar. There is a large table in the center, with seats. Along the wall is a large rendering by Wrigley Field architect Zachary Taylor Davis of a proposed Federal League ballpark, which we now know as Wrigley. Below the rendering are bookcases. The books opened above the bookcases were those about Davis, architecture and design.

Next to the bar area, there was a room that I was informed was going to be their breakfast room. There was also a partially walled-off space across from the breakfast room, that might be the most semi private portion of the bar area.

You will see in my photos that there is no dedicated drop off/pick up space, outside the hotel. Cars were simply pulling up to the curb on Clark Street. There is no space along the Patterson Street side. Big Star Taco is occupying that side of the building. They also have a built in sidewalk level patio space there. None of the first floor businesses are open yet. The parking garage did not appear to be open either. In fact a delivery truck was waiting, blocking the garage entrance.

The traffic signal has been installed at Clark and Waveland. The lights were set to flashing red. I noticed quite a few confused motorists, surprised by the lights and not knowing exactly how to react.

Nine days to go! We’ll have more photos here as we get closer to the home opener, scheduled for a week from Monday.

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