Information
Landmark: Willis Tower (Sears Tower)City: Chicago
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Willis Tower (Sears Tower), Chicago, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Once called the Sears Tower, Willis Tower stands as one of Chicago’s most famous skyscrapers, its dark steel frame once soaring higher than any building on Earth.Finished in 1973, it rises 1,450 feet to the roof, and with its antennas stretching skyward, the total height hits 1,729 feet.It’s still one of the tallest buildings in the country, rising high above Chicago and cutting a sharp silhouette against the evening sky.The Willis Tower, created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with Bruce Graham as lead architect and Fazlur Rahman Khan as structural engineer, uses an innovative “bundled tube” design that let it soar to record heights while staying remarkably stable-like steel columns bound tightly together against Chicago’s wind.Sleek black aluminum frames and wide panes of glass wrap the building, catching the light and giving it a bold, modern presence.At Willis Tower, one of the biggest draws is the Skydeck on the 103rd floor, perched about 1,353 feet above the streets, where the city sprawls far below like a patchwork of lights and rooftops.From one of the tallest observation decks in the country, visitors take in sweeping views of Chicago’s skyline, the shimmering expanse of Lake Michigan, and, on crisp clear days, even a glimpse of neighboring states.One of the Skydeck’s biggest thrills is The Ledge-glass balconies jutting 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) beyond the building, where you can stand and stare straight down at the tiny cars and people far below.This exciting feature offers a fresh angle, and people love snapping photos of it-especially when the light hits just right.Visitor Experience Observation Deck: Open all year, the Skydeck’s elevators sweep you to the top in just about a minute-a quick ride with city lights winking below.Visitors can explore Chicago’s history, landmarks, and geography through bright informational panels and hands-on exhibits-like a touch-screen map that lights up the city’s neighborhoods.The building and Skydeck welcome visitors with disabilities, with ramps and elevators making every area easy to reach.Willis Tower packs in offices, restaurants, and shops, making it a bustling commercial hub in downtown Chicago where the scent of fresh coffee drifts from street-level cafés.The Willis Tower stands as a bold symbol of Chicago’s architectural ingenuity and its economic might, rising high above the city like steel against a winter sky.Sears, Roebuck & Co.first built it as their headquarters, a towering sign of the company’s clout back then, when its name filled busy streets and shop windows.In 2009, the name changed after Willis Group Holdings leased part of the building, hanging their sign high above the busy street.Visiting Willis Tower lets you see Chicago from one of its tallest spots, where sleek steel frames meet sweeping views that stretch past the shimmering lake.Visitors still flock to this landmark, eager to take in the sweeping skyline and marvel at its bold feats of engineering, like the gleaming steel arches that catch the afternoon sun.
