Random Photo TR: The Ledge at Sears/Willis Tower

[coasterdude5]

I got the chance to check out the new ledge at the newly-renamed Willis Tower in Chicago yesterday. It was pretty awesome! Here are the photos:

And the sun would come out as we are leaving. Adios Willis/Sears Tower!

Chicago is a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. I hope they are chosen!

Looking up was pretty cool. Not too far from the top.

I was surprised how well we could see despite all the clouds.

Taken backwards

Lake Michigan

Duct tape fixes everything!

Here's how they roll it back into the building.

One of the boxes was tucked in. Not sure why, I hope it's not structure problems!

Leaning back on the glass was a little more nerve-wracking.

Hey I was in that boat!

Some of the city

You can get a great view of Lake Michigan.

I think once you get past a certain point, it just feels like being above a toy city.

It's cool to be able to see the other people in the other boxes.

We're gonna be up there.

Lego Sears Tower!

[Hotlanta]

Not to sound ignorant but it's not the Sears Tower any more? Who exactly is this Willis? There are certain names that should never be changed in my opinion.

 

 

Excellent report. This is one i would want to for sure the next time i am in the windy city.

[coasterdude5]

^ Willis, I believe, now owns most of the building so they also received naming rights as part of the negotiations. Throughout the city I heard most people still referring to it as Sears Tower.

[mike541x]

Great photos. I hope to visit Chicago again soon and go on the new Ledge. That's pretty cool. I really miss that city, it's been two years already since the last time I was there.

[coasterdude5]

It had been about 4 years since the last time I had been so it was cool seeing the new things like Trump Tower.

[jmicha]

^^^^Not only are they the new namesake of the building, but they are putting the building through a massive renovation to make the building significantly more energy efficient (I believe 75 percent more efficient if I remember correctly). All glass panels will be replaced as well as upgrading all heating and cooling systems so it will use significantly less energy to operate and upkeep (which is actually the reason Sears left the building so many years ago). This seems to be a common trend today with older buildings, such as this and the Empire State Building.

 

This was a very cool trip report. I went to chicago last October and it's very interesting to see the changes made to the Sears/Willis Tower since then. I'm excited to (hopefully) go back next year. Chicago is my favorite city that I've been to and I'm looking forward to seeing the Trump Tower finished and hopefully see the Chicago Spire pick back up construction. Chicago is an amazing city and the views from these new glass boxes.

[nay]

Very cool photos! I literally just got home from a quick trip to Chicago too, but had already been up the Sears Tower several years ago. I don't know that I would go out on that ledge, though!

 

It's such a nice city and it was tough to leave there this morning!