Results tagged “willistower”

Whether or not you still have sore feelings about one of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks being renamed by the Brits, there is at least one good thing coming from the switch: the building will receive an upwards of $300 million green makeover.

Mega-airline United Airlines is looking at a relocation to the Willis Tower and the City is doing everything it can to lure the new business into downtown. To help lure the business (and its nearly 3,000 workers) from its current Elk Grove digs, the City is also putting together around $25 million in incentives. No details have been discussed publicly. Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) - who's ward includes the Willis Tower - told the Tribune, "The final numbers haven't been presented to me." According to Fioretti, that incentive money would come from - where else - a TIF fund. [Tribune]

After a weekend of watching music's future at Pitchfork (and remember when we talked to P4k's Chris Kaskie about the festival back in March?) , this week's entry to the Chicagoist Podcast series takes a bit of a look backwards.

Not one to miss an opportunity to pander to publicity, Mayor Daley had some choice words for the media at the naming ceremony for the newly-minted Willis Tower. Asked if he would be calling the iconic skyscraper 'Big Willie', Daley told the press "'Big Willie', Willis Tower, yeah. You know why? Because they stepped up to the plate." The mayor used the comments as a chance to trumpet his glorius transformations in how Chicago works. "There has to be change in government and business," the mayor said. "And you have to realize that change is good."

       

This morning's ceremony to rename the Sears Tower to its new name - The Willis Tower - has come and gone but the argument over what to call the building will linger for a long time. Still, these pictures don't lie: it finally happened.

       

American Landmark Properties of Skokie is finally taking steps to recognize an iconic, if lesser-known Chicago personality. That's because today American Landmark Properties has made official the name change of the Sears Tower to the Willis Tower. And Chicagoist couldn't agree more - nearly six years since the death of Chicago busker, musician and artist Wesley Wiliis, he's finally getting his due in the form of a landmark office tower bearing his name.

The day many have dreaded - and even more have dismissed - will finally arrive tomorrow. The Sears Tower will cease to be and instead, in a ceremony, the building - the tallest in the U.S. of A. - will become The Willis Tower officially. Last week, while Prescott and I were teetering over The Ledge, reader Melody - who works in the Tower - sent us an email saying:

   

The Sears Tower will receive a $350 million face lift over the next five years to reduce its energy consumption by 80 percent. The building will also receive a new neighbor--an environmentally friendly 50-story luxury hotel, located at Jackson and Wacker. The initiative could create 3,600 new jobs and Sears Tower could become the tallest building to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

In an interview with the Tribune Monday, the chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings Ltd., Joe Plumeri, said there were a few things he wishes he’d done differently to ease the upcoming name change of the Sears Tower. Among them was downplaying the “Britishness” of his 181-year-old, London-based company. Plumeri, who was born, raised and now resides in New Jersey, said he spends as much time running Willis from its New York offices as he does from London.

Yesterday, WBEZ's blog held a photoshop contest to celebrate the Sears Tower's name change to the Willis Tower. The winner? A video! This mash-up comes from Connor Kalista