Wrigley Field “The Friendly Confines”

Even the greatest teams face difficult times. The Cubs, eternally beloved in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois recently put an end to a 108-year-long drought when they became the 2016 World Series Champions, their first World Series win since 1908.

And now, their over Century-old home, Wrigley Field, has undergone an expansive, multiyear, multiphase construction renovation project. Because “The Friendly Confines,” as Wrigley Field is often called, is an official Chicago Landmark eligible for National Historic Landmark status, specific considerations needed to be taken into account during this project.

All planned work on Wrigley Field, and all selected contractors, must be very carefully vetted. With an international reputation for quality and efficiency, BevStream Corp. was an easy choice for the Ricketts family, the owners of the Chicago Cubs.

Phases 1 and 2 of the renovation, conducted during the off seasons in 2014 and 2015, respectively, involved the extension of both the right and left field bleacher sections. In addition, 13 new concession stands and bars were installed, all of which required new Beverage Piping Systems for the Beer and Soda.

Designing and installing these Beverage Piping Systems posed a number of challenges for BevStream. Because of the field’s historic status, we had to navigate numerous building restrictions and ensure that our designs worked around all existing structures.

Delivering components to a worksite located in a densely populated residential area was also a challenge, as were limited working hours, coordinating union participation, and managing various trades and contractors. We had to ensure that we met several local and federal safety codes and that all materials of construction were specified for food industry compliance. Our skilled team was more than up to the task.

The Ricketts family, ICON Venue and Levy Restaurants were all extremely pleased with our work over this multi-year renovation and we are very proud to have been called back for our expertise and quality services throughout the Project.

To learn more about our Beverage Piping and CO2 Systems installation services and our expertise working with historic buildings, contact us today.