Willis Tower, the 110-story skyscraper located at 233 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago, celebrates its 50th anniversary this week. Although no longer holding the title of tallest building in the world, it remains a symbol of architectural achievement and a prominent feature of Chicago's skyline.
Constructed on a windy spring day half a century ago, Willis Tower was designed by renowned structural engineer Fazlur Khan and architecture firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill. The design drew inspiration from earlier successes such as Standard Oil Building and Sears Tower. Since its debut, Willis Tower has been considered an innovative trendsetter that has transformed into a bustling office corridor over time.
Despite facing challenges such as widespread office closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns like the Great Recession, those connected to Willis Tower remain confident in its ability to continue thriving.
The journey towards constructing this record-breaking skyscraper began back in 1970 when construction started on Sears Tower in downtown Chicago. Only three years later, workers had completed all 110 stories with exceptional speed - including digging a massive 50-foot hole for its foundation.
On March 6th, 1973 fellow workers cheered as Victor Mugica set a beam that made Sears (now known as Willis) Tower taller than New York’s World Trade Center – marking an unforgettable moment for everyone involved with this iconic project.
However, not everything went smoothly during construction; four workers tragically lost their lives due to an elevator shaft fire. Nevertheless, the building reached completion just one day ahead of schedule on May 2nd – prompting Charles Osgood, longtime Tribune employee and pool photographer tasked with capturing these historic moments up-close from atop what would become one of America’s most recognizable landmarks – more than1 ,400 feet above ground level!
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Willis Tower, it is important to remember and appreciate the hard work, innovation, and ambition that went into creating this iconic skyscraper. Its endurance through trying times serves as a testament to those who built it and a symbol of the resilience inherent in Chicago's spirit.