New future unwraps for architecturally significant Mars candy factory

The future of the soon-to-be former Mars Wrigley plant in the Galewood neighborhood is looking pretty sweet.

Last week, Chicago developer McCaffery Interests announced it would buy the historic Spanish Revival plant, 2019 N. Oak Park Ave., from the candymaker.

According to the purchase agreement, McCaffery would then work with the city, community members and Mars representatives to devise a plan to redevelop the 95-year-old factory building and its 20-acre campus.

"We're going to talk to a lot of people before we put pencil to paper on this," said McCaffery Interests CEO Dan McCaffery. He said there will be a series of meetings to get input from stakeholders.

Two years ago, Mars Wrigley announced plans to close the factory at the end of this year. The company's global headquarters on Goose Island will remain, as will its factories in Burr Ridge and Yorkville.

The company makes M&Ms, Twix, Snickers, Milky Way and other candies at the Galewood factory.

Steve Green, chairperson of the Galewood Neighbors resident group, said Mars' deal with McCaffery Interests is a good sign.

"We got to know the Mars people very well," he said. "I have no reason to not trust Mars."

Architecturally significant, the factory was given preliminary city landmark status last year, and it's rightfully on the path toward getting permanent designation.

Communities benefit when a complex such as this one is saved and thoughtfully reused, as opposed to being leveled for, say, yet another logistics warehouse.

For instance, Indianapolis preserved the shuttered, art moderne Homer J. Williamson chocolate factory and in 2018 turned it into 49 units of affordable and supportive housing with a rooftop deck and event space.

The housing was created in response to that community's needs. It will be interesting to see the reuse plan that develops at Mars.

Located at a Metra stop, the large Mars campus could accommodate a host of new uses, including residences, small retail, industry and open space, according to Galewood community groups.

Talks could begin within a few weeks, and a plan might be ready for city approval sometime in 2025, McCaffery said.

The picturesque factory deserves a second life. And it's good to see it's in line to get one.