LAKEVIEW — From 1921 to 1923, William Wrigley Jr. oversaw the construction of a small brick caretaker's house at Wrigley Field.
"He built it for $6,000 for then-grounds superintendent Bobby Dorr," said Julian Green, a Chicago Cubs spokesman. "Mr. Wrigley basically offered a rent-free home for [Dorr] and his family as long as he continued to the take care of the grounds at Wrigley."
Dorr moved in in 1923 and stayed until his death in 1957. Since then, the house has been used as administrative offices.
On Friday morning, the Cubs moved the 470,000-pound house to make way for excavation work as they continue to renovate Wrigley Field. The home was pushed slowly northward on steel plates to the Blue Lot, where it'll be stored until spring 2015.
With the house temporarily gone, Green said, crews can begin underground construction.
"We're getting ready to begin excavation in the lots here so that we can begin to lay the foundation for these new sub-basements, as well as the plaza," he said.
The Cubs in September began the first phase of Wrigley Field renovations. The team hopes to debut expanded bleachers, five outfield signs and two video boards by Opening Day 2015. Crews will also spend the winter laying the foundation for an underground players clubhouse, slated to debut in 2016.
As for the caretaker's house? It'll be restored and brought back to its home at 1053 W. Waveland Ave. by March.
"The plan is to salvage as much brick as possible with the house," Green said. "There will likely be some new brick used ... and we're going to try to restore it to its original brick color."
The Cubs in a statement said they plan to restore the exterior masonry shell of the building, rebuild its front porch area and replace the existing wood frame with a new roof.
"It's too soon to tell what use we will have for the house," Green said, "but it will potentially be used for office space. "
Waveland Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Clifton and Seminary from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
