When the Willis Tower (still called the Sears Tower by some of the more intransigent Chicagoans) was completed back in 1974 it was known around the world as the tallest building on the planet. A title it held for almost 25 years. Since that time, however, the Willis Tower has seen building after building surpass it in height. So many buildings, in fact, that it is no longer even in the top 10.
Not only have numerous buildings around the world passed the Willis Tower in height, but Chicago’s tallest building has also remained relatively static in terms of renovations and modernizations. A new $500 million investment, however, will change its somewhat outdated appearance and amenity selection in a big way. The renovation project will transform the tower and reinforce its position as a civic destination and a premier workplace with unprecedented office amenities and unique retail and entertainment experiences, the building’s owner, Blackstone, says in a release.
460,000 sf of existing space within Willis Tower will be reconfigured as part of the transformation. This includes 150,000 sf of space that will be turned into amenities available exclusively for tenants, such as a full-service fitness center, tenant lounges, private event space, and concierge services. 300,000 sf of retail, dining, and entertainment space will be added to the base of the tower and a new 30,000-sf outdoor deck and garden space will also be included. Blackstone promises the new retail and entertainment options will attract first-to-market restaurants and the best local boutiques and global brands.
Office lobby. Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Additionally, a new three-story transparent, glass structure will be set atop the existing stone plaza to create a more welcoming environment for visitors. But every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and below the three-story glass façade will exist three subterranean floors organized around a three-story winter garden. Above the garden will be a glass skylight that provides views of all 110 floors. The new design will set the Willis Tower free from the base it sits atop and reconnect the building with the urban streetscape.
Moving up from the building’s lower floors, the 103rd floor Skydeck Chicago experience will also be enhanced as part of the project. The Skydeck renovations will focus on creating a world class, one-of-a-kind entertainment experience for the 1.7 million national and international visitors that make the trip to the top of the tower annually.
Blackstone estimates the transformation of the tower, which is expected to begin this month, will create 2,500 jobs. Gensler is the architect for the project with Gonzalez Architects handling the design work for the tenant-only office amenities. Hetzel Design will oversee the design concepts for the Skydeck renovations while Turner Clayco will oversee construction.
See Also: Willis Tower elevators receive upgrade as part of $500 million update
Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Winter garden entrance. Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Winter garden skylight. Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Tower view from winter garden. Rendering courtesy of Blackstone and Equity Office.
Update
EQ Office, the U.S. office portfolio company wholly owned by Blackstone’s real estate funds, recently revealed more information about the $500 million Willis Tower project along with updated renderings. The five-story retail, dining, and immersive-entertainment experience at the base of the Willis Tower will be called Catalog. The name is a reference to the Sears Roebuck Company, which developed and opened the Willis Tower, then the Sears Tower, in 1973.
Urbanspace, a food hall operator with locations in New York City and London, will anchor Catalog's food and beverage offerings. Urbanspace will occupy over 14,000 sf in Catalog, making it one of the largest retailers in the building.
See Also: Willis Tower upgrades antenna lighting
Catalog is part of the more than 300,000 square feet of new retail, dining, and entertainment space that will be available at the base of Willis Tower. The renovation plan also includes 150,000 of new space for tenant use within the building. Catalog is slated to open to the public in mid-2020.
© EQ Office / Blackstone, courtesy of Gensler.
© EQ Office / Blackstone, courtesy of Gensler.
© EQ Office / Blackstone, courtesy of Gensler.
© EQ Office / Blackstone, courtesy of Gensler.
© EQ Office / Blackstone, courtesy of Gensler.
Related Stories
Reconstruction & Renovation | Aug 9, 2016
Renascent architecture: Demolished Frank Lloyd Wright structures get new life
The Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative is set to begin its reconstruction efforts with the Banff Pavilion, which was demolished in 1939.
Performing Arts Centers | Jun 16, 2016
Synagogues in Omaha and New York get new lives after intense reconstruction
The Omaha Conservatory of Music gets a new home in a temple. A fire leads to an ambitious rebuild for a NYC synagogue.
Energy Efficiency | Jun 13, 2016
The nation’s largest net zero-plus commercial building retrofit opens in L.A.
The goal of the Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute is for this structure to become a model for emergency operations centers for communities.
Sustainability | Jun 8, 2016
New program certifies the performance of existing buildings in the U.S.
BREEAM USA, an offshoot of a program already in place in Europe, aims to ease the point of entry.
Drones | Apr 25, 2016
The Tremco SkyBEAM UAV is the first to be approved by the FAA for nighttime commercial operation
The SkyBEAM UAV is used for identifying energy leaks, rooftop damage, deteriorating façades, and safety issues without requiring scaffolding or cranes.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 7, 2016
Redevelopment plan announced for Chicago’s historic Cook County Hospital
The century-old, Beaux Arts architecture-inspired hospital will transform into a mixed-use development.
High-rise Construction | Mar 3, 2016
LA's U.S. Bank Tower to build exterior glass slide leading from 70th to 69th floors
The glass slide, part of a $50 million renovation project, will stretch 45 feet along the exterior of the building.
Sponsored | Reconstruction & Renovation | Feb 16, 2016
Historic Building Gets New Life on Campus
The renovation of the historic Tobey Building provided one of the most state-of-the-art HVAC systems in the U.S.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 29, 2016
Understanding the value of physical due diligence
Physical inspections can range widely by discipline, level of detail, and the resulting deliverable, leaving even seasoned industry veterans unsure of when assessments make sense. Wiss, Janney, Elstner’s Ross Smith sheds light on building condition assessments.
Mixed-Use | Jan 25, 2016
SOM unveils renderings of dual-tower Manhattan West development
The five million-sf project includes two office towers, a residential tower, retail space, and a new public square.