The Wrigley Field rooftops have been a long-standing iconic feature of the Wrigleyville landscape. However, three of these buildings, which once provided rooftop seats for viewing the stadium, may soon be demolished to accommodate the construction of a five-story apartment building.
Following approval from the Chicago City Council, three historic century-old buildings on Sheffield Avenue, situated across from Wrigley Field’s right-field bleachers, are scheduled for rezoning to make room for constructing a 29-unit apartment complex. Despite impassioned efforts from local residents to halt the project, citing the buildings’ rich historical significance, the demolition plans have been greenlit.
The ownership group spearheading the development aims to clear the trio of properties located at 3627, 3631, and 3633 N. Sheffield Ave. to erect the new apartment building, which will also feature two pickleball courts.
The new development is due to a lack of occupancy in these three buildings for Cubs games. When Wrigley Field went through renovations, a massive video scoreboard was built in the right field that blocks the view from the rooftops. While they used to sell rooftop tickets, they have remained mostly empty since 2015.
Among these buildings, 3633 N. Sheffield Ave. holds particular stardom for the presence of the “Eamus Catuli” sign, which has proudly adorned it for over two decades. Historically interpreted to mean “Let’s go, Cubs” in Latin, this sign has stood as a symbol of unwavering support for the beloved Chicago Cubs.