![]() He was keen on the commerce that Sears’ headquarters would bring to the Chicago Loop area, which was partly undeveloped land. The company found support from Chicago’s mayor, Richard Daley. 3 However, Sears needed Chicago’s support in order to make their move to the city center at South Wacker Drive. 2 With a net income of $441 million that year, the company could financially support the development of an impressive modern building. By 1969, Sears was the largest retailer in the nation, and looking to update their outdated headquarters. 1 In the mid-1920s, Sears transitioned from the mail order business into regional stores. In the years that followed, thesmall company grew tremendously, becoming the largest mail order business in the world by 1906. Sears, Roebuck and Company was incorporated in 1893 by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck. This company, who commissioned the building as their new headquarters in the early 1970s, played an integral role to the final form and size of the Tower. Originally, the Willis Tower was called the Sears Tower, after Sears, Roebuck & Company. The name change will stand for the duration of their ten year lease. In 2010, the building was renamed the Willis Tower after Willis Group Holdings, a London insurance broker and currently the largest tenant of the tower. Those who don't want to buy a City Pass should get there as soon as possible (opening hours 10 am to 6 pm) to avoid the biggest rush of visitors.Major Works Sears Tower (currently Willis Tower)įig 1: The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) dominates the Chicago skylineĬhicago natives now affectionately call the Willis Tower ‘Big Willie’, (Figure 1) to go with ‘Big John’, the John Hancock Center, and ‘Big Stan’, the former Standard Oil Building, a sign that the city may finally be accepting the building’s new name. Tip: Chicago City Pass holders are treated almost as VIPs here and can simply leave the queue in front of the lifts behind. ![]() If you dare, you can look down 412m from there - for those not resistant to heights, vertigo and goosebumps guaranteed! With glass floors, glass walls and glass ceilings, they actually give visitors the feeling of floating in the air above the Chicago skyline and make unique photos possible. Since the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York, the Skydeck is the highest viewing platform in the USA.īesides the impressive view, the observation balconies built in 2009 are particularly spectacular. On a clear day you can see up to 80km in all directions. On a clear day, you can see up to 80km in all directions. The lift takes you up to the 103rd floor at a speed of almost 30km/h. The Skydeck at a height of 412m is particularly interesting for visitors. Visit to the Willis Tower © James Camel / franks-travelbox In common parlance, the name "Sears Tower" is therefore still used to some extent. This renaming was met with disapproval by the residents of Chicago, as the Sears Tower had become a symbol of Chicago in its more than 30 years of existence. It was only after the sale to the London insurance group Willis Group Holdings in 2009 that the Willis Tower was given its current name. The Willis Tower opened in 1974 after four years of construction on South Wacker Drive under the name "Sears Tower". It also held the title of the world's tallest building until 2010, before the Burj Khalifa in Dubai broke all records.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |