Chicago Cubs
Bleacher Expansion at Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs have once again turned to Osborn for their latest project at historic Wrigley Field. Osborn is working in conjunction with Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK) in the design of a 1,600-seat expansion to the existing bleacher structure. The project design is challenging because the stadium’s superstructure is highly irregular with little uniformity of the existing steel framing system. Other aspects of this renovation project include the restoration of the cast-in-place concrete seat deck structure that was constructed over 50-years ago.
Along with additional seating capacity, the project includes improvements to the restrooms and concessions areas throughout the bleachers as well as upgrades to the existing utility infrastructure. The project incorporates a pair of concourses that will enable the baseball fans to have convenient access to all seating deck areas in the bleachers (unlike what currently exists). One of the concourses will be located at street-level; with the other being an elevated concourse near the top of the new seating deck. The elevated concourse will cantilever out over the City sidewalk and will provide exceptional views of the unique neighborhood that surrounds the ballpark.
Construction is expected to be completed in time for Opening Day of the 2006 baseball season.
