Willis Tower Chicago – Skydeck

Willis Tower Chicago (formerly the Sears Tower)

It has been discovered that heights don’t scare me.  Not always, but I have trust in the fact that tourist attractions involving extreme heights are safe because the nobody wants to be sued.  So when the opportunity came to visit the Skydeck on Chicago’s Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) I didn’t even hesitate.  Not only was this a majorly significant building, it was one we studied in design school.  I was thrilled to get the chance to not only walk by, but wander through the inside.

The waiting area reminds me like unto a Disney ride.  There are informative and interactive displays.  It was interesting to see facts about the city itself as well as comparisons to just how high the Willis Tower really is.  The 103 is representative of the skytower being on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower.

What is so great about the WIllis Tower?

The Willis tower is currently the third tallest in the world.  Previously an observation deck with flush windows built in 1974, our family favorite movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, forehead prints on the glass, and visitors walking right up to the edge, the idea of looking down inspired this unique view of Chicago. The Skydeck.

Statistics About The Skydeck and Willis Tower:

• The cost of building Willis Tower was in excess of $150 million.
• At 1,353 feet up, The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor
• Willis Tower opened in 1973 and took 2,000 workers 3 years to build. It took the Ancient Egyptians 20 years to build the pyramids at Giza.
• On a clear day, you can see four states – Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Visibility from the Skydeck is approximately 40-50 miles (65 – 80 kilometers).
• The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor. Each box weights 7,500 lbs.
• The Ledge’s glass boxes are designed to retract into the building, allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance.
• The Ledge has what is called “heat tracing” to melt snow off the glass.

(because yoga must be done wherever we go!)