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One of the best spots to watch the Chicago Cubs play at their home ground, Wrigley Field, is not inside but outside the stadium, from the rooftops of the neighboring buildings. Sounds odd, but these rooftop seats are in big demand—sometimes more than the seats inside the stadium.
Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago is one of Major League Baseball’s historic stadiums. It first opened in 1914 for a baseball team called Chicago Whales, but since 1916, it has been home to the Chicago Cubs. Wrigley Field was built inside the city on a plot that is surrounded by multistory apartment buildings.
From the rooftops of these buildings across the streets, one can have a clear view of the playing arena, so it was not uncommon for the residents to invite their friends over whenever there was a game. Folding chairs were laid out on the roof, chilled beer handed out and barbecues were fired up. Over time these neighboring rooftops became informal gathering spots for fans who wanted to enjoy free viewings.
The rooftops became a popular spectator area during the 1929 World Series, and then again during the 1938 World Series. It was during the latter tournament, that some enterprising residents began to charge small access fees to the rooftops. Still, it was no more than a few dozen people who sat in lawn chairs and brought their own food and beverages.
It wasn’t until the 1980s, that the practice morphed into a big business. Over the next two decades, businesses and entrepreneurs snatched up the old buildings and rebuilt them into multilevel complexes. Apartment floors were converted into eating areas with incredible sports-bar and clubhouse ambiance, outdoor patios and flat-screen TVs. On rooftops, lawns chairs gave way to multi-level bleachers.
