Wrigley Mansion is perched on top of La Colina Solana, which means small, sunny hill. The stately home offers superb views of downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain and the wider Valley of the Sun. The 16,850-square feet (1,565-square metre) building was the largest private residence in the state until the early 1960s. Today it is an elegant restaurant and lounge club.
William Wrigley Jr. built the mansion in 1932 as a gift for his wife of 50 years, but the chewing gum magnate died shortly after the pair moved in. The opulent house had 24 rooms and 12 bathrooms, and its architectural styles included California Monterey, Spanish and Mediterranean. Several ownership changes followed until Geordie Hormel, the heir of a large food corporation, purchased the house in 1992 to preserve it for future generations. Under his guidance, the mansion, grounds and gardens were restored to their 1930s splendour. Before he passed away in 2006, Hormel made it a place for hospitality and banquet functions and played the piano for guests during Sunday brunch.
Today, this Phoenix Point of Pride building operates as the private Wrigley Mansion Club. It can only be accessed after signing up at the entrance for a temporary membership, with the fee going to charity. Signing up is more of a formality and hardly stands in the way of coming here for cocktails with finger food during Happy Hour, or fine dining at night in Geordie’s Restaurant & Lounge.
You don’t have to visit at night to see the mansion from the inside. You can visit between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for lunch, or select the least expensive of three Tour and Lunch package deals if you are on a budget.
The mansion operates from Wednesday through to Saturday, except from mid-June to mid-September. It is located near Piestewa Peak Park, northeast of downtown Phoenix.
