Perched high above Phoenix on the sunny hill, “La Colina Solana”—the Wrigley Mansion—has long stood as a monument to elegance and endurance. Built in 1932 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. as a gift for his wife, Ada, the home reflects his love of craft: vibrant Catalina tiles shipped from his own factory on Catalina Island and hand-painted ceilings by Italian muralist Giovanni Battisti Smeraldi that still crown the rotunda today.
When Geordie and Jaime Hormel purchased the property decades later, they saved it from demolition and reimagined it for the public. “Geordie had such a deep appreciation for history and authenticity,” Jaime recalls. “He didn’t want Phoenix to lose a place that held so much character and promise.”
Under Jaime’s guidance, the Mansion continues to evolve. “We preserve what’s essential—the craftsmanship, the charm, the stories—but we’re not afraid to introduce updates that make it relevant and comfortable for today,” she says. “It’s about harmony, not contrast.”
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A Living Story in Design
That philosophy came to life during “Inside the Wrigley Mansion: A Designer’s Perspective,” a fall event hosted by Teana Wagner Design, where members of Phoenix’s design community, along with leading designers and tastemakers, toured the Mansion with interior designer Wendy Black Rodgers, who led its decade-long renovation.
Rodgers approached the project with deep respect for its history—preserving the Mansion’s residential soul while refining it for hospitality. “I wanted to remember it’s a home,” she says. “It was not a bank lobby—it’s somebody’s home. But it can also be used as a venue.”
She kept the original Catalina tiles, repaired rather than replaced worn wood floors, and softened the formal rooms with a mix of reupholstered and newly acquired residential pieces, layered with texture. “So many people told me, ‘Thank God you didn’t get rid of those worn tiles,’” she says. “That’s the history.”
Culinary Continuity
That same spirit of blending heritage and innovation lives on in Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion, where Chef Christopher Gross, a James Beard Award winner, turns architecture into experience.
Gross worked with architect Wendell Burnette to build Christopher’s along an adjacent wall of the Mansion, drawing inspiration from his work at Amangiri. His goal was subtlety—a guiding principle he calls the Venus Accord. “The idea was that the building would disappear—like it was never there,” Gross says.
From the start, Gross envisioned a place where design, architecture, art, fire and food work in harmony. “We wanted to cook on an open fire in front of everyone,” he says. “It’s not all about me—it’s about the whole experience. It involves all the senses and gives you surprises.”
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Community, Craft and Continuity
From private estate to public treasure, the Wrigley Mansion is now a hub for creativity and connection. This fall’s tour was supported by Sub-Zero, Wolf & Cove, Monique Walker Sells, Candelaria Design, Plush Delicate Installation, Sun Lighting, Emser Tile, Camelback Flowershop and Wendy Black Rodgers Interiors.
Community contributors, including The Collector’s House, Clyde Hardware, urbAna, Waterworks, Fisher Weisman Collection, Spencer’s TV & Appliance, Laura Madden Studios, MaSA, Casa Dragones, Benjamin Moore, Federico Barrault Studio and Mosaic Atelier, curated raffle pieces that showcased the artistry and generosity of Phoenix’s design community and beyond.
“I hope guests leave feeling cared for,” Jaime says. “That’s what drives everything we do—creating an experience where people feel seen, welcomed and appreciated.”
Nearly a century after its creation, the Wrigley Mansion endures not as a relic, but as a living expression of Phoenix’s creativity—proof that longevity in design comes not from preservation alone, but from the courage to keep the story alive.
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