BCB photo by David Sameshima, Saturday, November 7, 2009
Demolition barricades surround the former Yum Yum Donut Shop on Clark St. next to Wrigley Field. The building has been used for Cubs offices in recent years; it will soon be demolished, the first step toward clearing the site for construction of the Triangle Building.
0 recs | 99 comments
Sob I still miss the donuts and the Texas burgers
I know it has been gone for years but it was my favorite place to get food for games.
Doggie Stalker - November 8, 2009
It's been shut down for at least six years, right?
chilango2 - November 8, 2009
At least, probably more.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
It's happening!?!?!?
katie casey - November 8, 2009
Yes.
It is.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
No more Yum Yum
Homer sad…
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
Just give him some beer and he'll be happy
Ace Venom - November 8, 2009
mmm... beer...
Homer very happy…
.
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
No TV and no beer make Homer...
…something something…
lswaidz - November 8, 2009
Go crazy?
DON’T MIND IF I DO!
hip2bsquare - November 8, 2009
here ya go
eths - November 8, 2009
I can't believe no one (BLou) has made a joke about this before:
Shanghai Badger - November 8, 2009
All the cops in the donut shops say:
Way-oh, way-oh…
Zeke - November 8, 2009
♪♫
Shanghai Badger - November 8, 2009
where do you think Hendry was sitting this whole time?
n/t
rgonzale - November 9, 2009
There it is
Finally . . . it was teed up.
Shanghai Badger - November 9, 2009
Should it be completed by opening day?
Chanman25 - November 8, 2009
Doubt that.
Think it’s at least a 2 year project.
Unique - November 8, 2009
Correct.
Construction, from what I understand, is going to start right after the 2010 season is over, continue all winter and through the 2011 season, it will be ready to open in 2012.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Is this what's it supposed to be eventually?
Unique - November 8, 2009
Yes.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Some more renderings can be found...
… here.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
What were the features again?
A batting cage for the players was one of them right? Hopefully an improved weight room was another one.
I wish they would redo the clubhouses also — they are the worst in the league and they need serious updating and spacing.
Unique - November 8, 2009
The batting cage & weight room were among the features.
Also, the team offices are supposed to move there, which would leave space for some club seating and also probably expanded clubhouses, both home and road.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Sounds like a good deal.
I’m all for making the experience of Wrigley great for the players just as much as the fans.
Now all we need is that big screen across the street and we are set. ;-)
Unique - November 8, 2009
weren't they also trying for some sort of restaurant/lounge facility with a view of the field?
above and beyond the batter’s eye thing in centerfield.
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
uh, not literally "above and beyond" the batter's eye.
I guess “in addition to” would have been a better choice of words
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
Hey, I'm all for watching a game from the scoreboard
As long as the beer’s cold…
Clutch16 - November 8, 2009
I've been waiting...
I will be so happy when this thing is done, the Cubs need it soo bad!!!
CubbieBlue1138 - November 8, 2009 via mobile
It's kind of sad...
…that a billion dollar plus organization like the Cubs was running things from a converted donut shop… kinda reminds me of how the mob used to operate out of backrooms and grocery stores…
lswaidz - November 8, 2009
It was just a spillover place
and you could park your bike there. Not like Jim Hendry had his office there.
Doggie Stalker - November 8, 2009
but I did bump into Ryno there a few years ago shortly after his HoF induction
He and a bunch of Cubs folks were leaving out the back door of the “office” and were just about to go through that little gate into the employee parking lot area next to Wrigley Field. I just happened to be walking along that fence at the same time and of course had a ball and pen at the ready.
He obliged me with an autograph and after thanking him, I commented how I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. He smiled and replied “that’s what it’s all about.”
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
Classic Ryno coolness
God I can’t wait until he manages this team.
lswaidz - November 8, 2009
Just for some one who has been away for over 3 decades...
This would be exactly where?
Along the 3rd base/left field foul line, i.e. between N. Clark St., W. Waveland Ave. and N. Seminary Ave.?
eths - November 8, 2009
yep - just north of and right across from the McDonalds if that helps.
not sure if the McDonalds was there 30 years ago or not, though.
This should help – check out this google maps link. Not sure what the scale of the map will be when you open it up but the old Yum Yum building should be in the center of the map.
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
Thanks - It is where I thought it would be
I am fairly sure the McDonalds was not there back in the early/mid 70’s. If I remember correctly, the entire triangular block was a parking lot back then. But seeing I as I didn’t drive at that age and mostly took the El to Wrigley, I usually was on the east / south east side of the building.
Also most of my memories (surprise, surprise) are of the inside of Wrigley Field and not the outside.
eths - November 8, 2009
Can someone explain the significance of this to a non-chicagoan?
what will it be used for?
bren - November 8, 2009
Team offices, workout facilities, parking garage, etc.
Basically, a lot of auxiliary functions of Wrigley Field will be moved to the Triangle Building, which will allow space in the stadium to expand fan amenities and the clubhouses.
hip2bsquare - November 8, 2009
It's hard to understand this if you're not in the area
The Cubs have like absolutely zero space in Wrigley to work with to do all of the necessary expansion they need. The closest land to them to work with is the triangular plot of land bordered by Waveland to the north, Seminary Avenue to the east and Clark to the west .. literally next door to the park. They’ve been wanting to do this for quite a while.
The Google map above will help, so will this one ..
It will provide more room for improvements within Wrigley for concessions, the Cubs front office, and training space.
cubnational - November 8, 2009
Here's another rendering that will help...
… in both showing the location and what the building will look like.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
And as part of the deal, it looks like they've eliminated all rooftop seating... ;-)
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
I don't see any ballhawks there, either. ;-)
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
That &%@$# Tunney and his %$#&@ ordinances...
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
Too bad from the looks of it...
that probably half of that space will be “wasted” on a parking structure. Otherwise, you could build underground tunnels leading over to Wrigley Field (for the players) and actually have the clubhouses for both Home and Visiting teams in this building! Then you could open up and expand the bathrooms and concession areas greatly in the Main Concourse area!
A Win-Win for both the players and the fans!
CubFanSince1970 - November 8, 2009
It won't be half...
… because the Cubs have already said that some of the public parking they had promised in exchange for the bleacher expansion is going to be elsewhere.
You might be right about the underground tunnels and moving the home clubhouse. If you moved the visiting clubhouse there, it would be way too far from the dugout.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
yeah, the game would be over by the time Manny got to the showers... ;-)
ballhawk - November 8, 2009
He'd have to leave in the sixth inning to get there by the time the game was over.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Having taken the ballpark tour at Wrigley and then at other, newer MLB parks...
the Cubs really are jammed into the place.
“Ten pounds of ’taters in a 5 pound sack” as they say.
The players clubhouses are stunningly small…
Zeke - November 8, 2009
Cool, thanks
seems like a sensible addition.
bren - November 8, 2009
The devil's in the details.
I only hope that they make it fit in terms of visual style (seems likely), but also that they don’t make it too tall (i.e. as tall as Wrigley’s facade). I’m not a fan of the crosswalks, either. I like the concept just fine, but I don’t want it to compete architecturally with the park.
Gamecock - November 8, 2009
They kind of have to have the walkways...
… to allow people in and out of the park from the building.
Also, I think they are going to redo the sides of the park to get rid of the ugly chain link fencing and concrete panels that were put up in the 1950’s. I hope they put back the original wrought iron that was there.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Yes, I agrre on that Al
they should come to Detroit and take a look at Comerica Park to get some ideas.
there are many places around Comerica Park that are wrought iron and provide a beautiful view into the ballpark.
CubFanSince1970 - November 8, 2009
Agreed. The Tigers did it right.
We were just there yesterday for a high school marching band competition across the street at Ford Field. You can see into the ballpark from the street at several locations. In fact, the weather was was so nice, I wished the Tigers had been playing after the band competition concluded. 70+ degrees and sunny.
Zeke - November 8, 2009
I know that the brass has been at several of the new parks.
But you know what? When architects design these new parks, guess where they come for ideas? Wrigley Field.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Oh yeah. They did build a LOT of Wrigley touches into Comerica.
My In-laws were with us and they were just stunned at how nice it was. They were old Tiger stadium fans and hadn’t been down to Detroit to see the new park yet. They were very impressed.
Zeke - November 8, 2009
Here's a photo of Weeghman Park from 1914.
You can get the general idea of what they’re going to try to replicate.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Wider view of street from 1914, showing Weeghman Park before it had an upper deck.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Hey! That convertible looks a lot like my first car!
…not…
Zeke - November 8, 2009
You can see a designers rendering of that...
If you pick up Al’s 2009 Cubs Annual magazine. A local designer did several pictures of an updated Wrigley Field for an article in it. In the article her vision has the concrete and chain link fence taken down, and replaced with a more fitting wrought iron facade.
CubbieBlue1138 - November 8, 2009 via mobile
Here's a photo of the exterior of Wrigley in the late 1930's.
Al Yellon - November 9, 2009
Here's a photo of the exterior of Wrigley in the late 1930's.
Al Yellon - November 9, 2009
Obviously putting advertising on Wrigley wasn't an issue back then...
…but boy, those letters sure are big. I wonder what they used to attach them to the side of Wrigley? ;-)
ballhawk - November 9, 2009
Some kind of brace, obviously...
Shanghai Badger - November 9, 2009
Sort of off topic...
… the other day someone asked about the temporary seats they put on Waveland during the 1929 World Series. Here is a photo of the scaffolding they were building for the temporary seating.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
A photo of the completed structure.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
The fire marshall must have been a Sox fan...
Zeke - November 8, 2009
Anyway, that's how they could get 50,000+ people "into" Wrigley Field for a WS game.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
That sucker must have "creaked" a lot when it was loaded. Gulp!
Zeke - November 8, 2009
Question
I thought I read something about a Cub Museum or some such thing in the Triangle. Artifacts, memorabilia and all that. Was that my imagination?
BeerCub - November 8, 2009
No, it's not.
I think that’s also part of the plan.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
Since it seems the Cubs are already beginning preparations to build this thing...
…it would be nice to have some more specifics about what “the plan” actually is. All we have is the press release and conceptual drawings from several years ago, which are probably a bit outdated by now.
hip2bsquare - November 8, 2009
I suspect...
… we’ll get one sometime before the 2010 season begins.
Al Yellon - November 8, 2009
It's amazing how much Wrigley has transformed over the years
The new bleachers, re-sodded field, new constructed rooftop bleachers (including the building that was completely gutted in 2008 on sheffield), the new box seats, now the triangle building is on its way.
It’ll be nice when the Cubs haters can’t call Wrigley a dump anymore after the concourse is updated.
I remember a Brewers fan trashing Wrigley Field up at Miller Park saying how the park smelt like you-know-what. Well when a ballpark is almost a century old compared to a state-of-the-art ballpark built just recently, of course the older ballpark is gonna need some updates. Lets see what Miller Park looks and smells like in 90 plus years.
I’m gonna miss the sunset gleaming through the fence above the terrace seats coming across the field after the triangle building blocks it. I’m sure the first basemen won’t miss it.
#1 iowan cubs fan - November 8, 2009
Beautiful
This is the kind of concrete actions we’ve all been waiting on. The sale has been made, and we can finally get some action that will improve the team. This will make a lot of room for player amenities, front office operations, and stuff for the fans. I think it will really add something to the neighborhood when completed.
Nibbles - November 8, 2009
Looking
at that picture where the new offices might be for front office people and couldnt find where they’re putting Sandy Alderson room for BLou.
Slamdog - November 8, 2009
I seem to remember walking by that old shop several times,
Outside of Wrigley Field when I went to Cubs home games, particularly the Crosstown Classic on June 21, 2008.
Had no idea the Cubs were doing so much from that building. Must go to Wrigley Field again once the building is done!
OT: It is now November 9 here in Vermont. 20 years ago today, a wall dividing Berlin was finally breached and fell.
I have family members in what were then East and West Germany.
Vermont Cubs Fan - November 8, 2009
I remember sitting in front of the television (near Cologne) and not believing my eyes and ears.
In German this date is written like this 9.11.1989 i.e. not 11/9/1989. It is very strange that “Neun Elf” in German has such a very different meaning for me than “Nine Eleven” in English does.
eths - November 9, 2009
I can never forget that day .. I was in college
The live pictures were being flashed throughout the whole world. It was truly electrifying history.
And in the TV lounge next to my dorm room, when I rushed in to watch after I heard about it, they were watching reruns of “Laverne And Shirley.” They refused to change the channel.
The world was changing – and a tired shtick set in 1950’s Brewville was what a bunch of college guys wanted to watch.
There’s a lesson in that somewhere.
cubnational - November 9, 2009
I was in a bar in East Lansing during the MSU-Indiana State basketball championship game in 1979.
Every TV in the place was tuned to the game except one. On that screen, they were showing the news reports of the Jimmy Carter brokered peace accord between Israel and Egypt. And one lone Egyptian college student was transfixed to the TV, amid the roar of everyone else in the bar watching the basketball game. It was somewhat surreal and a visual commentary on the state of the world in East Lansing that day.
Zeke - November 9, 2009
Classic Yum Yum
I really loved that place. When I lived in the area I often went their for breakfast in the off season.
Doggie Stalker - November 9, 2009
I once saw Maddux dunking donuts there
You should have seen the concentration.
Maybe they can put a Yum Yum in the new building, for tradition.
BucknerKongCardenal - November 10, 2009
Bike Valet
They should be sure to include bike valet parking in the new building or find another location for it. During a typical game there are well over 50 bikes stored at the bike valet on that lot.
A minor issue for those who don’t bike but a major convenience and incentive to encourage biking.
mph3 - November 9, 2009
considering how long its been since they first started talking about this.
All I have to say is: It’s about time.
mjk83 - November 9, 2009
About half my comments on BCB are similar to this one
but if the Cubs do this right, this could be just as successful if not more so than the Lambeau Field Atrium. When the Packers built the Atrium, they built it with a Hall of Fame, a huge gift shop and a littler one, a restaurant/bar area, team offices, and banquet facilities. I think more important, its also where the stadium tours originate too. The Atrium has given the Packers a huge new source of revenue and makes Lambeau Field a year-round destination, which give the Packers boatloads of money even when the Packers aren’t there. The Cubs could easily do this and make Wrigley Field a year-round destination as well.
TkGoUWGB - November 9, 2009
that's what I think too - Lambeau Atrium is awesome -
if Cubs do it right they’ll make boatloads of money off the wedding receptions and related parties
doofus cubs guy - November 10, 2009
I'm very happy to learn this project is moving forward.
daver - November 9, 2009
Should we call it the Yum-Yum Triangle Building?
Wonder if they will sell naming rights to the building.
tucsoncubsfan - November 9, 2009
Well, a certain British overseas territory would be a natural fit to sponsor it...
ballhawk - November 9, 2009
eths - November 9, 2009
Couldn't care less about this building
unless it’ll house some sort of factory or laboratory wherein a World Series champion will finally be assembled. Let’s worry about the product on the field and not what kinds of food that’ll be available.
stuartscottslefteye - November 9, 2009 via mobile
Couldn't care less about this building
unless it’ll house some sort of factory or laboratory wherein a World Series champion will finally be assembled. Let’s worry about the product on the field and not what kinds of food that’ll be available.
stuartscottslefteye - November 9, 2009 via mobile
Couldn't care less about this building
unless it’ll house some sort of factory or laboratory wherein a World Series champion will finally be assembled. Let’s worry about the product on the field and not what kinds of food that’ll be available.
stuartscottslefteye - November 9, 2009 via mobile
Couldn't care less about this building
unless it’ll house some sort of factory or laboratory wherein a World Series champion will finally be assembled. Let’s worry about the product on the field and not what kinds of food that’ll be available.
stuartscottslefteye - November 9, 2009 via mobile
you can say that again
jesus christos - November 9, 2009
Wow, a quadruple post - nevr seen that before.
The point you appear to be missing is that the Triangle Building will hold much improved batting cages and training facilities that will directly help the “product on the field.”
daver - November 10, 2009
Exactly.
Al Yellon - November 10, 2009
Plus generate additional revenue
Which can, you know, help the product on the field.
Shanghai Badger - November 10, 2009
Just drove by and Yum Yum is bye bye...
just a scrap heap pile of junk now – (insert your own Bears metaphor here)
ballhawk - November 9, 2009
ouch
cubnational - November 10, 2009
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