Original: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, 1973. Reposition: Blackstone and EQ Office, 2017. Architectural partner of record for repositioning: Gensler, with SkB Architects leading the design for street level experience and new base façade.
A live band will be playing on the 3rd floor rooftop deck on Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm-3pm.
Description
Formerly known as Sears Tower, Willis Tower is celebrating 50 years since the landmark’s original topping-out ceremony, where it stood as the world’s tallest building for 23 years and today remains one of the most popular destinations for tenants and visitors from around the globe.
In 2022, Blackstone and EQ Office completed a massive $500 million transformation of Willis Tower. Architectural firm Gensler has repositioned the iconic supertall structure to reinforce an active neighborhood-scaled experience at street level. Named “Catalog”—an homage to the building’s original tenant, the Sears Roebuck Company and its revolutionary mail order catalog—the five-level extension features new retail, dining and entertainment spaces, including an outdoor terrace and new public art installations by Olafur Eliasson and Jacob Hashimoto.
Visitor Experience
Visitors may take a self-guided tour of the building's public spaces, including the 4th-floor roof terrace above Catalog. There will also be live music at select times over the weekend.
