The Tower Today
Despite
having new owners, construction innovation did not end on the Tower. Today visitors to Willis Tower can see
Chicago from a whole new perspective.
Those willing to brave great heights can visit the observation deck
known as Skydeck Chicago on the building’s 103rd floor. When it is
not cloudy, visitors can see almost 50 miles in each direction including four
states. The elevators in Willis Tower
are some of the fastest in the world.
They can travel up to 1,600 feet per minute. That is equivalent to 18.2 miles an
hour. In 2009, Skydeck Chicago opened
The Ledge. The Ledge was designed by the
original architectural firm that built the Sears Tower, Skidmore, Owings and
Merrill, and can retract into the building for cleaning and maintenance. The Ledge is a large glass box that extends
4.3 feet off of the 103rd floor. Its construction was inspired by
the many forehead prints people left on the windows of Skydeck as they tried to
look straight down. Visitors brave
enough to venture out onto the Ledge can get an unobstructed view above the
city.
For
more than 40 years, Willis Tower has been a part of the Chicago skyline. It stands tall, proud and respectful over the
city. It’s simplicity of design focuses
attention on the structural system.
Instead of ornate decoration, the tower features its tubular construction. The outside of the building shows very little
wear and tear demonstrating its durability and solid design and
construction. In addition to being an
important part of Chicago’s skyline, the Willis Tower and its many details
continue to serve as a contemporary symbol of downtown Chicago. Although the legacy of the Sears Roebuck
Company was weakened by poor business circumstances, the legacy of the world’s
tallest building (at the time of construction) they set out to construct
remains strong.
http://199.19.212.76/project/willis/ WHEN CLICKING LINK PLEASE GO TO THE LEDGE DO NOT GO TO THE 99TH FLOOR TOUR
HOW TO GET THERE: IT WILL START YOU OFF ON THE 99TH FLOOR. THE FLOORPLAN WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE PAGE. CLICK ON THE BUBBLE THAT SAYS ELEVATORS OR THE BUTTON THAT SAYS LEDGE. THERE WILL BE AN ARROW ON TWO OF THE ELEVATORS IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THOSE. TAKE EITHER ONE.
HOW TO GET THERE: IT WILL START YOU OFF ON THE 99TH FLOOR. THE FLOORPLAN WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE PAGE. CLICK ON THE BUBBLE THAT SAYS ELEVATORS OR THE BUTTON THAT SAYS LEDGE. THERE WILL BE AN ARROW ON TWO OF THE ELEVATORS IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THOSE. TAKE EITHER ONE.