Sears Tower to become Willis Tower (Chicago, Standard: credit, design, oil)

[JohnCU]

Originally Posted by mycrows

Pretty sure they sold the building in '94, retaining only the naming rights, which expired in '03. It's had several owners since '94.

You are correct -- my apologies for the misinformation.

[Costa Rica Chica]

Something that's important to keep in mind is that this is an international company (British) which is investing in Chicago and creating jobs here. That's good. I do think they have an uphill battle, though. No one is going to call it the Willis Tower. I certainly won't.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by JohnCU

Sears moved their operations out in 1992 but owned the building until 2004. As long as they owned it they weren't going to give up the name recognition. Seems a perfectly logical business decision to me.

Sears sold the building in (I believe) 1995 and it has passed hands several times since. But they still held on to the naming rights until a few years ago.

[Irishtom29]

I won't mind calling it the Willis Tower, my self image is more about saying Crawford Avenue instead of Pulaski Road.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I won't mind calling it the Willis Tower, my self image is more about saying Crawford Avenue instead of Pulaski Road.

Maybe you could move up to Lincolnwood or Skokie where they still call it Crawford.

[west lawn kid]

we should find the poeple responsable and show them some souhside hospitality

[gichicago]

Random tidbit: Aon and Willis are in top 3 Insurance Brokers in the world and hold 2 of the top 3 tallest buildings in Chicago.

[biHizgrace]

I will never call the Sears tower the Willis tower...never never never

[suzzyq]

So since the Sears Tower is in named as a major historical landmark ummm is someone going to go through all the old textbooks and websites to correct the name?? Nope I dont think so...therefore it will still be known as the SEARS TOWER! (At least to us real chicagoans) my 5 yr old on the other hand might grow up calling it the Big Willy Tower or whatever else the name will be changed to down the road haha

[eevee]

Originally Posted by suzzyq

So since the Sears Tower is in named as a major historical landmark ummm is someone going to go through all the old textbooks and websites to correct the name?? Nope I dont think so...therefore it will still be known as the SEARS TOWER! (At least to us real chicagoans) my 5 yr old on the other hand might grow up calling it the Big Willy Tower or whatever else the name will be changed to down the road haha

there will likely be new editions of textbooks coming out that will changed the Tower's name. and any decent website would update its relevant material. given its current state, the next generation probably won't even know what Sears was unless they pick up a history book, like how kids under a certain age today don't know much about Woolworth. we'll all be sitting around in a nursing home, telling our grandkids about how there used to be this store where you could buy tires, a fridge, and ladies' underwear all in the same place!