“The tiered seating has been torn from the rooftop at 3633 North Sheffield Avenue in Wrigleyville, as demolition gets underway for the second of three buildings just beyond Wrigley Field’s right field bleachers. 3631 North Sheffield, famous for the TORCO sign that adorned its rooftop, has already been torn down. To its south, 3627 North Sheffield will meet the same fate, though its demolition permit has not yet been issued. 3633 met its fate after a demo permit was issued April 23rd.

The three buildings are being removed and redeveloped for Chicago’s most infamous rooftop pickleball court, with a five-story, 29-unit residential building below. The project was approved by City Council in August 2024, and the first permit to begin demolitions was issued in February of this year. Precision Excavation razed the building in March, with cleanup work carrying over into spring.” (Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 7/11/25)

“Longtime Chicago Cubs fans will recognize the trio of properties at 3627, 3631 and 3633 N. Sheffield Ave. as having housed the famous Torco billboard on its roof and as well as the property that became famous for its ‘Eamus Catuli’ sign — loosely translated from Latin as “Let’s go Cubs.”

“That sign hung for years atop 3633 N. Sheffield Ave., but has since moved next door. The ‘Eamus Catluli’ sign was joined for years by another sign that tracked the sad reminder of the Cubs’ futility.

“In July, City Council approved the rezoning needed for the project, despite pushback from some neighbors concerned about preserving the century-old buildings and the impact on the neighborhood’s character.” (Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 3/20/25)

“As the area around Wrigley Field went through massive renovations, the owners of the three buildings on Sheffield Avenue essentially drew the short stick. They used to sell rooftop tickets to fans who wanted to watch Cubs games, but those seats have mostly sat empty since 2015 due to the massive video scoreboard in right field that blocks the view from the rooftops.

“Twenty years ago, a lot of these property owners signed a deal with the Cubs to share revenue in order to get their view,” Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) previously told Block Club. “And then 10 years ago, the Cubs changed the deal with the city and blocked their view. Many of them sold to the Cubs — and then you have these guys who had nothing as part of the commercial side.”

“Lisa Sorenson, a longtime Wrigleyville resident who owns property a block away, started an online petition for city officials to reconsider the development and landmark the buildings as historic properties.

“The petition garnered nearly 2,900 signatures, but with the City Council vote on Wednesday, there may not be much neighbors can do to stop the project from moving forward.

“It’s disappointing that the alderman is pushing his and the developer’s agenda without taking into account community feedback,” Sorenseon said Wednesday. “The neighborhood is not anti-development, but to destroy these three iconic buildings is unacceptable.” (Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 7/19/24)

Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY

• Top of the Second Underway At Sheffield Avenue Demolition Trio Next To Wrigley Field, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 7/11/25
• Demolition Begins At Century-Old Wrigleyville Rooftop Apartments; The first of three historical Sheffield Avenue buildings is being torn down ahead of the Cubs’ home opener to make way for an apartment complex, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 3/20/25
• Famous Wrigley Field Rooftops Will Be Torn Down After City Signs Off; City Council on Wednesday approved the rezoning of three iconic properties on Sheffield Avenue — including the Eamus Catuli and Torco buildings — to make way for a single 29-unit apartment building, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 7/19/24