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 A new $500 million investment, however, will change its somewhat outdated appearance and amenity selection in a big way.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
Laboratories | Jan 25, 2024
Tactical issues for renovating university research buildings
Matthew Plecity, AIA, ASLA, Principal, GBBN, highlights the connection between the built environment and laboratory research, and weighs the benefits of renovation vs. new construction.
Airports | Jan 15, 2024
How to keep airports functional during construction
Gensler's aviation experts share new ideas about how to make the airport construction process better moving forward.
Giants 400 | Jan 3, 2024
Top 140 Reconstruction Contractors in 2023
STO Building Group, Turner Construction, HITT Contracting, Gilbane, and Whiting-Turner top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest building reconstruction/renovation general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 3, 2024
Top 70 Reconstruction Engineering Firms for 2023
Integrated Project Services, Alfa Tech, WSP, CRB Group, and McKinstry head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest building reconstruction/renovation engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 3, 2024
Top 200 Reconstruction Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, Stantec, HDR, Corgan, and PBK Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest building reconstruction/renovation architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Airports | Dec 4, 2023
4 key innovations and construction trends across airport design
Here are some of the key trends Skanska is seeing in the aviation sector, from congestion solutions to sustainability.
Sustainability | Nov 20, 2023
8 strategies for multifamily passive house design projects
Stantec's Brett Lambert, Principal of Architecture and Passive House Certified Consultant, uses the Northland Newton Development project to guide designers with eight tips for designing multifamily passive house projects.
Affordable Housing | Nov 16, 2023
Habitat receives approval for $400 million affordable housing redevelopment
Chicago-based Habitat, a leading U.S. multifamily developer and property manager, announced that its $400 million redevelopment of Marine Drive Apartments in Buffalo, N.Y., has received planned unit development (PUD) approval by the Buffalo Common Council.
Office Buildings | Nov 10, 2023
3 important early considerations for office-to-residential conversions
Scott Campagna, PE, Senior Director of Housing, IMEG Corp, shares insights from experts on office-to-residential conversion issues that may be mitigated when dealt with early.
Designers | Nov 2, 2023
3 fundamental steps to crafting the ideal branch
Jared Monce, AIA, Architect, Design Collaborative, shares three guidelines when designing branches for financial institutions.