“One of the most iconic buildings in Wrigleyville is being torn down just weeks before Opening Day.

“Demolition is underway at 3631 N. Sheffield Ave., one of three historic Wrigley Field rooftop buildings slated to be torn down and replaced with a 29-unit apartment building.

“Demolition permits have only been issued for 3631 N. Sheffield Ave., while the other two buildings at 3627 and 3633 N. Sheffield Ave. remain intact for now.

“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 Block Club Chicago

• 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
• First Demolition Permit Issued For Three Sheffield Avenue Buildings Next To Wrigley Field, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 2/27/25