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Sears Tower Videos.
From 1973 to 1996, Willis/Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world. Today, it remains the tallest building in North America, as the Petronas Towers in Malaysia are now the world's tallest buildings. Built in 1973 and renovated in 1993, it sits on two city blocks and rises one-quarter mile above the ground with 110 floors. The building holds offices (with approximately 10,000 workers), as well as a health club, eight restaurants, retail shops and other services.
In the late 1960s, Sears Roebuck and Company, then the world's largest retailer with $8.9 billion in sales, decided to consolidate its administrative operations in downtown Chicago. The company determined it needed 3 million square feet of office space with floors of 50,000 square feet to accommodate its 13,000 employees in their major departments. It was later decided they would strive for the tallest building in the world and offer the upper floors to tenants.
Willis/Sears Tower is also a destination for millions of tourists from all around the world. It has been a backdrop in films such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Fugitive. The top attraction for visitors is the observation Skydeck on the 103rd floor. The view from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the
Willis/Sears Tower is amazing! On a clear day, you can see 40-50 miles -- the city of Chicago and it beautiful architecture, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The Skydeck also features interactive, museum-quality exhibits highlighting Chicago's history and historic characters. Interactive kiosks provide a tour of Chicago's landmarks. Knee-High Chicago is a kid-level display that extends all the way around the Skydeck. Cool cut-out windows put kids eye-to-eye with scenes from Chicago's most fascinating moments in history. The Skydeck also has high-tech, high-powered telescopes for a closer look at the city.
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