Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the original name of the Willis Tower?
What was the original name of the Willis Tower?
Sears Tower
Which architectural firm designed the Willis Tower?
Which architectural firm designed the Willis Tower?
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
What significant change did the city of Chicago make in 1955 that impacted the construction of skyscrapers?
What significant change did the city of Chicago make in 1955 that impacted the construction of skyscrapers?
The city lifted its height restriction.
In what year did construction of the Willis Tower begin?
In what year did construction of the Willis Tower begin?
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How tall did the Sears Tower reach upon its completion in 1974?
How tall did the Sears Tower reach upon its completion in 1974?
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What architectural feature helps the Willis Tower withstand high winds?
What architectural feature helps the Willis Tower withstand high winds?
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Which building overtook the Sears Tower as the tallest building in the world?
Which building overtook the Sears Tower as the tallest building in the world?
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What significant event marked the completion of the construction of the Willis Tower in May 1973?
What significant event marked the completion of the construction of the Willis Tower in May 1973?
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What significant change occurred regarding Kmart and Sears in 2005?
What significant change occurred regarding Kmart and Sears in 2005?
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What feature distinguishes the elevators in Willis Tower?
What feature distinguishes the elevators in Willis Tower?
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In what year did Sears file for bankruptcy?
In what year did Sears file for bankruptcy?
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Who climbed Willis Tower in 1981 and what was unique about their attire?
Who climbed Willis Tower in 1981 and what was unique about their attire?
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What is the SkyDeck and where is it located in Willis Tower?
What is the SkyDeck and where is it located in Willis Tower?
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What kind of space does the basement level of the Willis Tower include?
What kind of space does the basement level of the Willis Tower include?
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What artistic feature is found in the Wacker Drive Lobby?
What artistic feature is found in the Wacker Drive Lobby?
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What legal event allows individuals to climb the stairs of the Willis Tower?
What legal event allows individuals to climb the stairs of the Willis Tower?
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When was the building renamed Willis Tower and after whom?
When was the building renamed Willis Tower and after whom?
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What happened to the laminated glass flooring of one of the glass boxes in 2014?
What happened to the laminated glass flooring of one of the glass boxes in 2014?
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Willis Tower was originally known as the ______ Tower.
Willis Tower was originally known as the ______ Tower.
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Sears, Roebuck and Company commissioned the building and was originally a ______ company.
Sears, Roebuck and Company commissioned the building and was originally a ______ company.
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The Sears Tower held the title of the tallest building in the world from its completion in 1974 until ______.
The Sears Tower held the title of the tallest building in the world from its completion in 1974 until ______.
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The building is served by 97 elevator cabs, with 83 ______ accommodating single and double-decked elevators.
The building is served by 97 elevator cabs, with 83 ______ accommodating single and double-decked elevators.
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The Skydeck features four glass boxes known as 'The ______'.
The Skydeck features four glass boxes known as 'The ______'.
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The building's total height reached 1,729 feet after ______ antennas were added in 1984.
The building's total height reached 1,729 feet after ______ antennas were added in 1984.
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Willis Tower has a dedicated freight elevator for the Chicago Fire Department that travels to the ______-foot level.
Willis Tower has a dedicated freight elevator for the Chicago Fire Department that travels to the ______-foot level.
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In 2009, Sears lost its majority ______ in the building.
In 2009, Sears lost its majority ______ in the building.
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The tower features 103 ______, including 14 double-decked elevators.
The tower features 103 ______, including 14 double-decked elevators.
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The tower's construction faced multiple challenges due to its ______ and location.
The tower's construction faced multiple challenges due to its ______ and location.
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The Willis Tower, formerly known as the ______ Tower, is located in Chicago.
The Willis Tower, formerly known as the ______ Tower, is located in Chicago.
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Dan Goodwin famously climbed the Willis Tower wearing a homemade ______ suit.
Dan Goodwin famously climbed the Willis Tower wearing a homemade ______ suit.
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The annual Skyrise Chicago charity event at the Willis Tower features the world's tallest indoor ______ climb.
The annual Skyrise Chicago charity event at the Willis Tower features the world's tallest indoor ______ climb.
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The Franklin Street entrance to the Willis Tower is located six feet lower than the ______ Drive entrance.
The Franklin Street entrance to the Willis Tower is located six feet lower than the ______ Drive entrance.
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The commercial complex at the building's lower stories is known as ______, referencing the Sears mail order catalogs.
The commercial complex at the building's lower stories is known as ______, referencing the Sears mail order catalogs.
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The third story of The Catalog features a 30,000 square foot ______ space operated by Convene.
The third story of The Catalog features a 30,000 square foot ______ space operated by Convene.
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On June 12, 2019, visitors to the Willis Tower would likely pause at the edge due to its immense ______.
On June 12, 2019, visitors to the Willis Tower would likely pause at the edge due to its immense ______.
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Over 7,000 rice paper and resin discs animate the contemporary art installation titled 'In the Heart of This Infinite ______ of Galactic Dust.'
Over 7,000 rice paper and resin discs animate the contemporary art installation titled 'In the Heart of This Infinite ______ of Galactic Dust.'
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A French urban climber ascended the Willis Tower using only his bare hands and ______.
A French urban climber ascended the Willis Tower using only his bare hands and ______.
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The Willis Tower is a significant ______ and has been a prominent feature of Chicago's skyline for decades.
The Willis Tower is a significant ______ and has been a prominent feature of Chicago's skyline for decades.
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Study Notes
Willis Tower History
- Willis Tower is known as Sears Tower and was built by Sears Roebuck and Company in the 1970s.
- Sears began as a mail-order company selling products through catalogs.
- Sears began opening retail stores in 1925, which eventually surpassed catalog sales.
- Sears was the largest retailer in the United States until the 1980s.
- Sears hired Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to design its new building.
- The tower was built in Chicago, a city known for its skyscrapers.
- The West Loop, where the building was built, was an underdeveloped area near the Chicago Loop.
- The building is a 3x3 square grid with each block being 75 feet across.
- Blocks taper off as the building Rises.
- A communication tower sits atop the building.
- The blocks have five columns per side every 15 feet.
- Trusses connect the blocks, providing stability and mechanical systems for the building.
- Construction involved a lot of steel.
- The wind can cause skyscrapers to flex a few inches.
- Trusses re-distribute loads to areas capable of taking them, especially the highest, asymmetrical sections.
- Sears required support from the city to be built in the center of Chicago.
- Richard Daley Sr., the mayor at the time, supported the construction, seeing the benefit of Sears' headquarters in the city.
- In 1955, the city lifted its height restriction, allowing for buildings 16 times taller than their lot area.
- Construction began in August 1970, with excavation removing 180,000 cubic feet of material.
- A concrete plant was built in the building's basement to cut down on transportation time and accelerate construction.
- Labor strikes and inclement weather delayed construction.
- The building reached the 77th floor in 1972, making it the tallest building in Chicago.
- The Sears Tower overtook the Empire State Building in height in 1973.
- A ceremony was held in May 1973 to commemorate the final beam being placed.
- Fires and accidents during construction resulted in five deaths.
- Sears moved into the building in 1973, but construction was not finished until the following year.
- The building reached 110 floors, including three basement floors at a height of 1,450 feet.
- Broadcast antennas were added in 1984, bringing the building's height to 1,729 feet.
- The Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world until the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia surpassed it in 1996.
- Sears started declining in the 1980s, branching off into other businesses like financing and real estate.
- Kmart became the largest retailer in the United States in 1992.
- Sears sold off subsidiaries and discontinued its catalog in 1993.
- Sears acquired Land's End in 2002.
- Kmart acquired Sears in 2005.
- Lands End split off from Sears in 2014.
- Sears filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
- The building was renamed Willis Tower in 2009 after the insurance broker Willis Group Holdings took over a majority of the office space.
- United Airlines is the building's largest tenant.
- The tower is equipped with 103 elevators, including 14 double-decked elevators.
- Double-decked elevators serve the sky lobbies at the 33rd and 34th floors and the 66th and 67th floors.
- Local elevators serve the 34th through the 103rd floors.
- Two elevators run directly from the lobby to the SkyDeck on the 103rd floor.
- The building has 16 escalators.
- The 103rd floor features the SkyDeck observation deck, the tallest observation deck in the United States.
- Renovations to the SkyDeck added four glass boxes, known as the "ledge."
- In 2014, the laminated glass flooring on one of the glass boxes cracked, but there were no deaths or injuries.
Climbing the Willis Tower
- The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) has been climbed on the outside by two individuals: Dan Goodwin in 1981 and a French urban climber in 1999.
- Dan Goodwin, wearing a homemade Spider-Man suit, climbed the tower using suction cups and sky hooks. He was arrested at the top after a seven-hour climb.
- The French urban climber ascended the building using only his bare hands and feet.
- There is a legal way to climb the tower, through the Skyrise Chicago charity event, which involves climbing the building's 103-story staircase.
The Building's Lower Levels
- The Franklin Street entrance to the building is six feet lower than the Wacker Drive entrance.
- The building has three basement levels with a total area of 400,000 square feet.
- The basements contain a cafeteria, commercial space, service areas, a loading dock, and a 150-spot parking garage.
- The building's base covers 463,000 square feet and includes two lobbies for tenants and visitors.
- The Wacker Drive Lobby features a 2019 artwork by Jacob Hashimoto titled "In the Heart of This Infinite Particle of Galactic Dust" which includes over 7,000 rice paper and resin discs.
- The commercial complex at the building's lowest stories is called the "Catalog" in reference to the Sears mail order catalogs of the past.
- The Catalog includes restaurants, a co-working space, and decorative details inspired by Chicago's building environment.
The Building's Historical Significance
- The Willis Tower is a prominent landmark in Chicago and holds historical significance.
- The speaker expresses personal fondness for the building, connecting it to his grandfather, who was a construction worker on the tower.
- Despite being formally called the Willis Tower, the name Sears Tower still prevails in public consciousness.
- The video concludes with a reference to a separate video about the building's rooftop.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. This quiz covers its history, construction, and significance in Chicago as a remarkable example of modern architecture. Discover how Sears Roebuck and Company played a pivotal role in the tower's development.
