[1][2] The building was designed by the architectural firm of Furst & Rudolph and was built in 1891 by Biemolt & Carter at a cost of between $40,000 and $50,000.

[11] The Dairy Farm Products Company opened its plant in the building on October 17, 1912, manufacturing butter.

[13][14] The building would house the factory and offices of the Downey-Farrell Company, a margarine manufacturer that Wrigley was affiliated with.

[19] William Wrigley Jr. gave the Salvation Army use of the building on October 11, 1930 to use as a lodging house for the unemployed.

[26][27] In 1946, the Salvation Army began raising funds for the remodeling of Wrigley Lodge and the construction of new buildings.

[26][27] It was remodeled in the Streamline Moderne style, designed by Albert C. Fehlow, at a cost of $400,000, and was re-dedicated at 2 pm on January 18, 1951.