As the Cubs return to Clark and Addison to start their World Series defense, another season of work on Wrigley Field will also be on display. The renovations include moving the bullpens underneath the bleachers and the long-anticipated opening of the plaza to the west of Wrigley. Here are the most notable changes to the ballpark as the team continues its multiyear, $500 million project on baseball’s second-oldest site.
Relocated bullpens
The Cubs moved the on-field home and visiting bullpens to new locations under the bleachers. The new home bullpen is under the left field bleachers, and the visiting bullpen is beneath the right field bleachers.
The bullpens feature windows that allow fans in the bleachers to look in from the ground-level concourse. There are also a set of green-tinted transparent doors that allow the players to watch the game from the bullpen. Cameras mounted in the bullpens will allow each team (and the television viewers) to watch pitchers as they warm up.
The Cubs have said they were moving the bullpens for safety concerns.
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WAVELAND
Home bullpen
SHEFFIELD
Visitor
bullpen
New rows
of seats
ADDISON
New rows of seats
The team added four new rows of seats where the bullpens used to be. Many of these seats will be associated with premium clubs that are planned for future seasons.
Replaced seats behind home plate
The seating areas in the lower bowl behind home plate have all been replaced. The area underneath the seats has been dug out to create the future home of the American Airlines 1914 Club. Construction on the club will continue throughout the season. Seven hundred of the new seats are padded, and will be associated with the new club when it opens next year.
The Cubs have also continued replacing seats in the terrace reserved sections.
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Partial facade restoration
Part of the facade facing Addison Street on the south side of Wrigley Field has been restored to match the changes made to the west facade last year. The rest of the facade is scheduled to be restored in future offseasons.
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WAVELAND
South facade
CLARK
ADDISON
Concourse work
The right field concourse ramps and stairs have been replaced, and the bathrooms underneath these ramps have been refurbished. Three new concession stands behind home plate are still under construction and are scheduled to open in June.
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WAVELAND
Right field
concourse
CLARK
ADDISON
Office building and ‘park’
The plaza to the west of Wrigley Field, recently renamed the Park at Wrigley, is having an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning before the Cubs’ home opener.
The new western gate allows access from the Park at Wrigley to the main ballpark concourse. Before and during Cubs games the park is restricted to ticket holders only. Other times it is open to the public, with farmers markets, musical events and movies scheduled for this summer.
The lower floors of the office building are going to house a new team merchandise store, a Starbucks, a tavern-style restaurant and a Jostens jewelry store. In addition, the Cubs 2016 championship trophy will be displayed in a trophy room set off of the plaza.
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WAVELAND
Office
building
The
Park at
Wrigley
CLARK
ADDISON
SOURCES: Chicago Cubs, baiduhai reporting
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