User:Scott Oglesby/Willis Tower
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Willis Tower | |
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Skidmore, Owings and Merrill | |
References | |
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Willis Tower, formerly named Sears Tower, is a 108-
Although
History
Planning and construction
In 1969,
Sears executives decided early on that the space they would immediately occupy should be efficiently designed to house the small army that was their Merchandise Group. But floor space for future growth would be rented out to smaller firms and businesses until Sears could retake it. Therefore, the floor sizes would need to be smaller, and to have a high window-space to floor-space ratio, to be attractive and marketable to these prospective lessees. Smaller floor sizes necessitated a taller structure. Skidmore architects proposed a tower which would have large 55,000-square-foot (5,000 m²) floors in the lower part of the building, and would gradually taper the area of the floors down in a series of setbacks, which would give the Sears Tower its distinctive, husky-shouldered look.
As Sears continued to offer optimistic projections for growth, the tower's proposed height soared into the low hundreds of floors and surpassed the height of New York's unfinished World Trade Center to become the world's tallest building. Restricted in height not by physical limitation or imagination but rather by a limit imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration to protect air traffic, the Sears Tower was financed completely out of Sears' deep pockets and topped with two antennas to permit local television and radio broadcasts. Sears and the City of Chicago approved the design, and the first steel was put in place in April 1971. The structure was completed in May 1973. Construction costs totaled approximately $150 million USD at the time,[6] which would be equivalent to roughly $950 million USD in 2005. For comparison, Taipei's Taipei 101, built in 2004, cost around the equivalent of US$1.76 billion in 2005 dollars.
Black bands appear on the tower around the 29th–32nd, 64th–65th, 88th–89th, and 104th–109th floors. These are louvers which allow ventilation for service equipment and obscure the structure's belt trusses which Sears Roebuck did not want to be visible as on the John Hancock Center.
In February 1982, two television antennas were added to the structure, increasing its total height to 1,707 feet (520 m). The western antenna was later extended to 1,730 feet (527 m)[7] on June 5, 2000 to improve reception of local NBC station WMAQ-TV.
Post-opening
This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2009) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Willis_Tower_night_2.jpg/220px-Willis_Tower_night_2.jpg)
Sears' optimistic growth projections never came to pass. Competition from its traditional rivals (like
By 1990, Keck, Mahin & Cate, a law firm, considered moving out of its space in the Sears Tower and moving into a potential new development, which would become 77 West Wacker Drive. Brokers who were familiar with the lease negotiations stated that Sears was trying to keep Keck, Mahin & Cate in the building. Keck, Mahin & Cate decided to move into 77 West Wacker, and the Prime Group, developer of 77 West Wacker, finalized the development of the facility. During the time that Keck, Mahin & Cate was scheduled to move out of the Sears Tower, Sears planned to move its offices to its merchandise group facilities in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.[9] Sears began moving its offices out of the Sears Tower in 1992.[citation needed]
In 1994 Sears sold the building to Boston-based AEW Capital Management with financing from MetLife. At the time it was one third vacant. By 1995 Sears had completely vacated the building, moving to a new office campus in Hoffman Estates.[citation needed]
In 1997 Toronto-based TrizecHahn Corp (the owner at the time of the CN Tower) purchased the building for $110 million, and assumption of $4 million in liabilities, and a $734 million mortgage.[10][11]
In 2003 Trizec surrendered the building to lender MetLife.[12]
In 2004 Metlife sold it to a group of investors that includes New York investors Joseph Chetrit, Joseph Moinian, Lloyd Goldman, Joseph Cayre and Jeffrey Feil and Skokie-based American Landmark Properties.[13] The quoted price was $840 million with $825 million held in a mortgage.[14]
Future plans
In February 2009 the owners announced they are considering a plan to paint the structure silver. The paint would "rebrand" the building and highlight its advances in energy efficiency. The estimated cost is $50 million.[15]
Since 2007 the building owners have been considering building a hotel adjacent to the building on the north side of Jackson between Wacker and Franklin on the site of a plaza that is the entrance to tower's observation deck. The tower's parking garage is beneath the plaza. Building owners say the second building was considered in the original design. City zoning does not permit construction of such a tall tower there.[16]
Terrorist plot
In 2006, seven men were arrested by US authorities and charged with plotting to destroy the tower.[17] The case originally went to court in October of 2007;[18] after three trials, five of the suspects were convicted and two were acquitted.[19] The alleged leader of the group, Narseal Batiste, was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison in November 2009.[20]
The Skydeck
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Good_Bye_Chicago.jpg/220px-Good_Bye_Chicago.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Willis_Tower_skyboxes.jpg/220px-Willis_Tower_skyboxes.jpg)
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower opened as The Sears Tower Skydeck observation deck on June 22, 1974. It is located on the 103rd floor of the tower. It is 1,353 feet (412 m) above ground and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Chicago. Tourists can experience how the building sways on a windy day. They can see far over the plains of Illinois and across Lake Michigan to Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin on a clear day. It takes about 60 seconds to soar to the top in either of two special, Schindler Group elevators. The Skydeck competes with the John Hancock Center's observation floor a mile and a half away, which is 323 feet (98 m) lower. 1.3 million tourists visit the Skydeck annually.
In January 2009, the Skydeck began a major renovation including the installation of glass balconies extending approximately four feet over Wacker Drive from the 103rd floor. The all-glass boxes allow visitors to look through the floor to the street 1,353 feet (412 m) below. The boxes, which can bear five tons of weight (about 4.5
A second Skydeck on the 99th floor is used when the 103rd floor is closed. The tourist entrance can be found on the south side of the building along Jackson Boulevard.
In August 1999 French urban climber Alain "Spiderman" Robert, using only his bare hands and feet, scaled the building's exterior glass and steel wall all the way to the top. A thick fog settled in near the end of his climb, making the last 20 floors of the building's glass and steel slippery.[22]
The building's official address is 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Height
Sears Tower remains the tallest building in the
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Skyscrapercompare.svg/220px-Skyscrapercompare.svg.png)
At 1,482.6 feet (451.9 m) tall, including decorative spires, the
• CN Tower
• Willis Tower, Chicago
On August 12, 2007, the
When completed,
Until 2000, the Sears Tower did not hold the record for the tallest building by pinnacle height. From 1969-1978, this record was held by the John Hancock Center, whose antenna reached a height of 1,500 ft (457.2 m), or 49 ft (14.8 m) taller than the Sears Tower's original height of 1,451 ft (442 m). In 1978, One World Trade Center became taller by pinnacle height due to the addition of a 359 ft (109.3 m) antenna, which brought its total height to 1,727 ft (526.8 m). In 1982, two antennas were installed on top of the Sears Tower which brought its total height to 1,707 ft (520.3 m), making it taller than the John Hancock Center but not One World Trade Center. However, the extension of the Sears Tower's western antenna in June 2000 to 1,730 feet (527 m) allowed it to just barely claim the title of tallest building by pinnacle height.
Naming rights
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Willis_Tower.jpg/220px-Willis_Tower.jpg)
Although Sears sold the Tower in 1994 and had completely vacated it by 1995, Sears retained the naming rights to the building through 2003. The new owners were rebuffed in renaming deals with CDW Corp in 2005 and the U.S. Olympic Committee in 2008. London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. leased more than 140,000 square feet of space on three floors in 2009. A Willis spokesman said the naming rights were obtained as part of the negotiations at no cost to Willis.[26] [27][28] The building was renamed Willis Tower on July 16, 2009.[29] The naming rights are valid for 15 years so it is possible that the building’s name could change again in 2024.[30] The Chicago Tribune joked that the building’s new name reminds them of the oft-repeated "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?" catchphrase from the 1980s American television sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.[29] According to a July 16, 2009 CNN article, some Chicago area residents were reluctant to accept the Willis Tower name.[31]
Cultural depictions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Willis_Tower_Chinatown.jpg/220px-Willis_Tower_Chinatown.jpg)
Film and television
The building has appeared in numerous films and television shows set in Chicago such as
On May 25, 1981, Dan Goodwin, wearing a homemade Spider-Man suit while using suction cups, camming devices, and sky hooks, and despite several attempts by the Chicago Fire Department to stop him, made the first successful outside ascent of Sears Tower. Goodwin was arrested at the top after the seven hour climb and charged with trespassing. Goodwin stated the reason he made the climb was to call attention to shortcomings in high-rise rescue and firefighting techniques. After a lengthy interrogation by Chicago's District Attorney and Fire Commissioner, Goodwin was released.[35][36][37]
Position in Chicago's skyline
![The skyline of a city with many large skyscrapers; in the foreground is a green park and a lake with many sailboats moored on it. Over 30 of the skyscrapers and some park features are labeled.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Chicago_skyline_labelled.jpg/1280px-Chicago_skyline_labelled.jpg)
Figures and statistics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Chicago_Sears_Tower.jpg/220px-Chicago_Sears_Tower.jpg)
- The top of Willis Tower is the highest point in Illinois. The tip of its highest antenna is 1,730 feet (527.3 m) above street level or 2,325 feet (708 m) above sea level, its roof is 1,450 feet and 7 inches (442.1 m) above street level or 2,046 feet (623 m) above sea level, the 103rd floor observation deck (The Sky deck) is 1,353 feet (412 m) above street level or 1,948 feet (593 m) above sea level, the Franklin Street entrance is 595 feet (181 m) above sea level. (The highest natural point in Illinois is the Charles Mound, at 1,235 feet (376 m) above sea level.)
- The building leans about 4 inches (10 cm) from vertical due to its slightly asymmetrical design, placing unequal loads on its foundation.
- The design for Willis Tower incorporates nine steel-unit square tubes in a 3 tube by 3 tube arrangement, with each tube having the footprint of 75 x 75 feet (22 x 22 m). Willis Tower was the first building for which this design was used. The design allows future growth of extra height to the tower if wanted or needed.[38]
- The restroomson the 103rd floor 1,353 feet (412 meters) above street level are the highest in the western hemisphere.
Broadcasting
Many
Radio stations
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Also
TV stations
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Gallery
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Willis Tower as seen from John Hancock Center observation deck
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900 North Michigan, Park Tower, the John Hancock Center, the Trump Tower, and Aon Center (L-R) as seen from the Willis Tower Skydeck.
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Westward view from Willis Tower
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Sears Merchandise Building Tower- original Sears Tower
- Sears, Roebuck and Company Administration Building
- Chicago architecture
- List of tallest buildings by U.S. state
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings in Chicago
- List of towers
- World's tallest structures
- List of tallest freestanding structures in the world
- WLS-TV
References
- ^ a b c The tower has 108 stories as counted by standard methods, though the building's owners count the main roof as 109 and the mechanical penthouse roof as 110. Emporis.com Retrieved on June 7, 2008
- ^ Willis Tower at Emporis
- ^ "Welcome to Sears Tower (Chicago, Illinois)". Searstower.org. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ Kerch, Steve (October 20, 1991). "This job is a tall order Sears Tower project is the height of redevelopment." Chicago Tribune.
- ^ The Tallest Skyscraper, TIME, June 11, 1973
- ^ Databank: Sears Tower. Wonders of the World Databank. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ SkyscraperPage - Sears Tower. Federal Communications Commission, CTBUH
- ^ For information on this transformation, see Donald R. Katz The Big Store: Inside the Crisis and Revolution at Sears, New York (Viking), 1987.
- ^ "77 W. Wacker ready to go." Chicago Sun-Times. March 12, 1990. Retrieved on November 12, 2009.
- ^ Cliff Edwards, Associated Press. "TrizecHahn buys control of Chicago's Sears Tower World's 2d-tallest building sold for $110m." The Boston Globe. December 4, 1997. Retrieved February 25, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8455803.html
- ^ Sears Tower may be for sale - Crains Chicago Business - October 31, 1997
- ^ Trizec to sell its last local asset - Crain's Chicago Business - September 27, 2006
- ^ "[ BIZ BRIEFS ]." Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Sun Times. May 1, 2004. Retrieved February 25, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1527288.html
- ^ "MetLife to Complete Sale of Chicago's Sears Tower." Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL). McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. April 30, 2004. Retrieved February 25, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118314848.html
- ^ Sears Tower in silver? - Chicago Sun-Times - February 25, 2009
- ^ David Roeder. "Tall order for Tower?; Sears Tower owners to press city for zoning change, subsidy to add 2nd building as part of mega-million-dollar project next to landmark." Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Sun Times. October 12, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8884264.html
- ^ "Seven charged over 'Chicago plot'". BBC News, 23 June 2006.
- ^ "Sears Tower 'plot trial' begins". BBC News, 3 October 2007.
- ^ "Five guilty in Chicago bomb plot". BBC News, 12 May 2009.
- ^ "Sears Tower bomb plot leader Narseal Batiste jailed". BBC News, 20 November 2009.
- ^ Sears Tower unveils 103rd floor glass balconies
- ^ "'Spiderman' scales Sears Tower in Chicago - August 20, 1999". CNN. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ Burj Dubai surpasses the height of Sears Tower in Chicago[dead link]
- ^ "Freedom Tower ("World Trade Center 1")". NYC Tower. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ Chicago Spire, Chicago - SkyscraperPage.com
- ^ "Sears Tower name to change to Willis Tower". Chicago Tribune. March 12, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
- ^ "Sears Tower Now Willis". Chicago Tribune. July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
- ^ Willis could get Sears Tower naming rights - Chicago Real Estate Daily - March 11, 2009
- ^ a b Podmolik, Mary Ellen (July 16, 2009). "Sears Tower name change: Building today officially becomes Willis Tower". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
- ^ Burns, Greg (July 16, 2009). "Burns on Business, Willis Wants to be Part of Chicago by Way of Jersey". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
- ^ "Sears Tower Now Named Willis Tower". CNN. July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Filming Locations for Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Movie-locations.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ The Sears Tower Dressed In Sears Clothing
- ^ By Keith Darcé (2007-01-31). "Madison Avenue turns to Main Street | The San Diego Union-Tribune". Signonsandiego.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ SkyscraperDefense.com
- ^ Sears Tower in Chicago Is Scaled by Stunt Man Published: May 26, 1981 New York Times
- ^ "Spiderman scales Sears Tower w/Stan Lee interview". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ "Sears Tower". Tallest Building in the World. 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2009-09-14.