The Wrigley Mansion overlooks the greater Phoenix area from its perch atop a 100-foot knoll. It was built between 1929 -1931 at a cost of $1.2 million by William Wrigley Jr. as a 50th Wedding Anniversary gift for his wife. This 24 room, 12-bathroom mansion was used as a winter retreat for a few weeks each year. The site was selected by Mr. Wrigley for its panoramic views of the city below and to be near the hotel that he owned, the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
The mansion features some Spanish Colonial influences although it is a unique hybrid of various architectural styles. Frank Lloyd Wright who was an architectural consultant for the Biltmore Hotel project as well as a friend of Mr. Wrigley commented about his dislike of the design.
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt.
Mr. Wrigley did not have time to quibble about the design of the mansion that was his winter cottage. One year after the mansion was completed, William Wrigley died in the master bedroom of a stroke.
The Wrigley Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
George “Geordie” Hormel, heir to the Hormel Spam fortune purchased the mansion in 1992. Geordie Hormel turned the mansion into a private club for meetings, events and similar functions.
Today the Wrigley Mansion is the premier location for weddings, special events and fine dining and has spaces which can host intimate gatherings as small as 10 as well as extravagant receptions for up to 1500 guests.
Some of the exquisite rooms available for get-togethers, meetings and parties include:
The Breakfast Room – Seats up to 10 – This was the informal dining room where the Wrigley family ate most of their meals. It was originally finished with a pine paneling that has been stained a few shades darker. This was a favorite room of Mr. Wrigley because it offered an unprecedented view of Camelback Mountains. The room has been updated with a Swarovski crystal chandelier as well as a hand-knotted carpet from Nepal with an ostrich feather motif.
Paintings by Georgie Hormel
The Pasadena Room – Seats up to 12 - This was the guest bedroom which has been turned into an Art Deco dining room. The room’s original Art Deco fireplace is surrounded in tiles that were imported from Mr. Wrigley’s factory in Catalina. Paintings on the wall from Geordie Hormel. There is an attached balcony which features a Moroccan style railing as well as outdoor carpeting. The attached private bathroom has been renovated to include replica fixtures in a 1930s design.
The Formal Dining Room – Seats up to 40 - This room is highlighted by a hand painted ceiling along with a fireplace. It has an attached covered patio which can seat an additional 15 guests.
The Horse Fair in Paris by Rosa Bonheur
Janelle gives tours around the mansion.
Guided Tours of the Wrigley Mansion are available Tuesdays thru Saturday every 2 hours beginning at 10:00 AM with the last tour at 4:00 PM. A Sunday Tour is also scheduled at 2:00 PM. Tours are 45 minutes to an hour long and may be impacted by special events at the mansion. Reservations are highly recommended.
One of the most popular treasures on the tour is the 1929 Steinway player piano – one of only two in the world.
The best way to Tour the mansion is to partake in the Tour with Lunch. Lunch packages include the Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit, a one course meal starting at $26 per person. The Wrigley’s Big Red lunch is a three-course meal that starts at $37 per person. For couples there is the appropriately named Wrigley’s Doublemint lunch which includes 3 Course meals for two and a bottle of wine.
The majestic appeal of the Wrigley Mansion is matched by the culinary creations of Chef Christopher Gross, a James Beard award winning chef.
The restaurant is named Geordie’s after Geordie Hormel and offers lunch, dinner, bar bites, happy hour, wine dinners, a wine program, member events and a Sunday Brunch. CEO Paola Embry heads the wine program with an extensive list of over 800 bottles. Geordie’s has been honored by WineEnthusiast as a top 100 wine restaurant and The Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence”.
Amuse-bouche
Selections from the kitchen of Chef Christopher include taste treats such as Wrigley House Smoked Salmon with herbs, meadow flowers, crème fraiche, black brioche, caviar.
Terrine of Duck Liver with Petite Salad
Black Tortellini with Delicata squash
Colorado Rack of Lamb
Chocolate Mousse Tower
Another favorite on the Menu is in honor of the restaurant’s namesake The Hormel Spam Cubano, featuring Hormel Spam, pulled pork, white cheddar, pickles, whole grain mustard, with mixed fries.
Happy Hour at the Wrigley Mansion includes Signature Cocktails and Cava Popsicles.
Jamie's Wine Bar
Sunday Brunch begins with breakfast selections including custom made omelets, a Light Fare Station with fruits and cheeses, Healthy Bowls with seasonal greens, grains and vegetables. Capping off the Sunday Brunch choices are the BBQ Station and Dessert Table.
Chef Christopher Gross talks about his new restaurant Christopher's at the Wrigley Mansion.
Exciting new changes are going on at the Wrigley Mansion. Chef Christopher Gross enthusiastically takes us through a tour of a new expansive space that is still under construction but will soon be the ultimate chef’s kitchen with a new custom Hestan Range. There will also be a chef’s table where parties up to 10 can have dinner.
Another dramatic addition to the Wrigley Mansion will be the stunning new restaurant Christopher’s at The Wrigley with glass walls for exceptional city views, cantilevered above a patio and seating for 26 lucky diners. Here chefs will present the meals they prepared for you and individual cutlery will be in drawers at your seat. It will be a very exclusive and high-end experience. It will be a work of art and the expected opening date is late 2019.
Visiting the Wrigley Mansion and sampling their culinary delights is an experience we will not forget. Thank you to Chef Christopher Gross, Janelle and Damion for making our visit special.
Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited capacity and private events.
The new Christopher’s In Terminal 3 of the Phoenix International Airport.
Some photos courtesy of Wrigley Mansion.
Story by Daniel Dachille.
Video voice over by Jim Reynolds