Find Hotels Near Willis Tower Chicago

Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower, is a iconic landmark located in downtown Chicago . Standing at 1,450 feet tall, this 110-story building is the second-tallest skyscraper in the United States and the tenth tallest in the world. With an average of over one million visitors each year, Willis Tower is also one of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions.

Built between 1970 and 1973, Willis Tower was initially developed to meet the growing needs of Sears Roebuck & Co., who sought to consolidate its offices from around the city into a single location. The building consists of nine rectangular tubes stacked on top of one another with steel frames throughout. The nine tubes are arranged in a shape like a cross, allowing for more exterior windows than what would be found on other skyscrapers at the time. This design was revolutionary in that it allowed for more natural light within and nearly doubled the useable floor space by allowing multiple office floors to be connected horizontally instead of vertically.

Atop Willis Tower sits its Skydeck observation deck and glass boxes where guests can step out onto The Ledge for breathtaking views up to 50 miles away. From here visitors can see four states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin - all from one spot! In fact, Willis Tower is home to not only some incredible views but also some interesting history; when it opened in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world surpassing New York’s World Trade Center as well as becoming a symbol for Chicago’s status as a major global business hub.

Today, Willis Tower remains an international symbol for innovation and progress offering businesses office space with unbeatable amenities such as onsite Starbucks coffee shops, 24/7 access control systems, private elevators with direct access to floors available upon request and more! Not only that but Willis Tower also hosts several events year-round including corporate meetings and conferences along with holiday lighting promotions which bring thousands of people together each year making it an ideal destination for locals looking to connect while exploring their city’s rich culture and history!