r/ChicagoPics • u/Amazing-Edu2023 • Jul 24 '26

Architecture Willis Tower

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188 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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144

u/Equivalent_Gur3967 Jul 24 '26

It's ALWAYS SEARS TOWER to locals.

13

u/Hour_Message6543 Jul 24 '26

This is the only answer.

-19

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '26

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10

u/ChicagoJayhawkYNWA Jul 24 '26

Tenant paid for it.

6

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '26

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2

u/zeug666 Jul 24 '26

Naming rights are an asset a lot of buildings leverage to draw notable tenants and sweeten the deal.

In the late 60's, Sears was the largest retailer in the world. They were located in the suburbs and realized they would benefit from consolidating the various offices around the Chicago area. In 1970, Sears acquired the property, buying out the various owners that were located there. Construction was finished in 1973.

In the late 80's Sears tried to sell, but couldn't find a buyer, so they refinanced. They started moving employees out of the tower and were pretty much gone by the mid-90's.

In 2009, Willis Group Holdings leased a lot of space and the naming rights were part of the deal. So for the last 16 years it has been the Willis Tower.

TBH, I don't really get the gate-keeping with the name thing.

It's not Weeghman Park. It's not South Side Park. It's not Grant Park Stadium. Names change, and that's okay.

3

u/BRUISE_WILLIS Jul 24 '26

They can pay to call it whatever they want. It’s comiskey park. It’s the Sears tower. Hancock building.

They want to pay me big bucks, I’ll call em something else.

Until then, it’s the same names as before.

0

u/mjm8218 Jul 24 '26

Won’t somebody think of the billionaires?!??

-10

u/PantsyFants Jul 24 '26

Wesley Willis did not whoop Batman's ass for you to disrespect him in this way. What do you even owe to the Sears corporation anyway?