Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower, is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in Chicago and the United States. Standing at 1,450 feet tall with 108 stories, it held the title of world’s tallest building for over 20 years. The black, steel and glass structure is full of fascinating facts and stories just waiting to be discovered. Let’s explore some riddles and mysteries about this Chicago landmark and reveal the answers!
Riddles about the History and Construction of Willis Tower
When was Willis Tower built and how long did it take?
Willis Tower was built between 1970-1973. Construction took less than three years, which is very quick for such a massive skyscraper.
What was Willis Tower’s original name before it was renamed in 2009?
Sears Tower was the original name from 1973-2009 before it was changed to Willis Tower.
Why was Willis Tower built and who was the architect?
Willis Tower was built to serve as the headquarters of Sears, Roebuck and Company. The famous architect Bruce Graham of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill was the chief architect.
How many floors does Willis Tower have?
Willis Tower has 108 floors total above ground.
What is unique about the design of Willis Tower?
It was designed with 9 square “tubes” joined together to make up the structure, allowing more accessible floor space than a traditional block-style skyscraper.
How much steel was used to construct Willis Tower?
Over 50,000 tons of steel was used in its construction.
What was innovative about the way the steel frames were constructed?
High strength, bolted steel frames were used to resist lateral winds as opposed to the welded steel designs common at the time.
Riddles about Willis Tower Stats, Facts and Figures
How tall is Willis Tower?
Willis Tower is 1,450 feet and 110 stories tall.
Was Willis Tower ever the tallest building in the world?
Yes, when it was completed in 1973 it became the tallest building in the world at 1,450 feet tall, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York.
How long was Willis Tower the tallest in the world?
It remained the tallest building in the world for over 20 years until 1996 when the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia surpassed it.
What is the total square footage of Willis Tower?
Willis Tower has 4.56 million square feet of floor space.
How many elevators does Willis Tower have?
There are 108 elevators in Willis Tower.
How many steps are there from bottom to top?
There are 2,108 steps from the lower level to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor.
How much does the Sears Tower sway in high winds?
The Hancock Building sways up to 12 inches in windy conditions. Impressively, Willis Tower only sways about 6 inches maximum.
How many people visit the Skydeck at Willis Tower each year?
Over 1.5 million people visit the Skydeck annually.
Riddles about Willis Tower Observation Decks
How many observation decks does Willis Tower have?
There are 3 observation decks at Willis Tower – the Skydeck on floor 103, a deck on floor 99, and the new 360 Chicago on floor 94.
What can you see from the Skydeck on a clear day?
On a clear day you can see 50-60 miles away, with views of up to 4 states – Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.
When did the glass ledges open at Skydeck?
The famous glass ledges called The Ledge opened in 2009, allowing visitors to stand 1,353 feet in the air.
How long are the glass ledges at Skydeck?
Each glass ledge extends out 4.3 feet from the Skydeck.
How much can each glass ledge hold?
The glass ledges are made of three layers of half-inch thick glass and each can hold 10,000 lbs or 5 tons.
What is the angle of inclination of the glass ledges?
The ledges are tilted at a 5-degree angle which makes them feel even more steep!
When was 360 Chicago at Willis Tower open to the public?
360 Chicago opened in 2015 as the third observation deck with unique views and interactive exhibits.
Riddles about Willis Tower in Popular Culture
What famous movie scene involved McClane jumping off the roof tied to a fire hose?
The climactic scene at the end of “Die Hard” was filmed at Willis Tower in 1988, with Bruce Willis’ character leaping off the roof.
What comic book villain lived in a dark tower modeled after Willis Tower?
In Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn” comic series, the demonic villain Violator lived in a tower based on Willis Tower.
What action movie disaster sequence involved Willis Tower collapsing?
In the movie “2012” Willis Tower was shown dramatically collapsing during worldwide disasters.
What car commercial famously showed a car being launched off Willis Tower?
A 1996 Mitsubishi commercial had a car flying off Sears Tower to demonstrate its durability.
What music video featured Willis Tower prominently?
The music video for R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” shows Kelly singing from various ledges around Willis Tower.
What comic book cover parodies Willis Tower?
An Amazing Spider-Man comic cover shows Spider-Man swinging from a tower resembling Willis Tower.
What children’s cartoon was based in a city with a Willis Tower replica?
Hey Arnold’s fictional Hillwood City featured a replica of Willis Tower as a central landmark.
Riddles about Events and Pop Culture at Willis Tower
What famous athlete walked up Willis Tower in a charity event?
In 1994, Michael Jordan walked all 110 floors to raise money for charity.
What annual event raises money by having participants climb the stairs?
The annual SkyRise Chicago sees participants raise money for Special Olympics by climbing all 2,109 stairs.
Where is the world’s highest McDonald’s located?
There is a McDonald’s located on the ground floor of Willis Tower, said to be the highest McDonald’s in the world.
What is the name of the new interactive experience with LED walls and music?
Luminous Field is a new sound and light experience using LED walls with interactive music elements.
What tourist attraction lets you stand in a clear glass room hovering over Chicago?
TILT is a glass enclosure that tilts visitors outward at a 30 degree angle angled over the city.
Where can you dine with amazing views overlooking Chicago?
The Atelier serves upscale cuisine at dinner with gorgeous panoramic city views.
Riddles about the Neighborhood and Surroundings of Willis Tower
What is the name of the Chicago neighborhood where Willis Tower is located?
It is located in the Chicago Loop neighborhood of downtown Chicago.
What river did they have to drive caissons through to reach bedrock?
Workers drove caissons through layers of clay and sand before reaching bedrock 130 feet below the Chicago River.
What park with historical statues is Willis Tower situated near?
Willis Tower overlooks Grant Park, which has statues of Lincoln, Columbus and many others.
What subway line has a stop underneath Willis Tower?
The Red Line stop at Jackson serves Willis Tower and allows easy public transportation access.
What major museum is just a few blocks away from Willis Tower?
The world-class Art Institute of Chicago with its famous collections is just south of Willis Tower.
Riddles about the future of Willis Tower
What $500 million renovation is planned for Willis Tower?
Major upgrades and expansions to amenities, restaurants, and public spaces is planned to modernize the tower.
What new attraction will allow visitors to stand outside in a glass box?
A glass enclosure called Levitate will cantilever visitors out for thrilling, unobstructed views.
How will sustainability be improved in the renovations?
More energy efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will make the tower more sustainable.
What is planned for the vacant lots around Willis Tower?
New retail, dining, and entertainment will be added to turn it into a vibrant neighborhood.
How will accessibility be improved for the observation decks?
Faster elevators and redesigned queue lines will help more visitors access the popular decks.
Conclusion
Willis Tower stands as an iconic Chicago landmark with a rich history. These riddles provide a glimpse into the tower’s impressive facts and stories that have accumulated over the past 50 years. From world records to pop culture references, Willis Tower has cemented its place in Chicago’s skyline and around the world. The billion dollar renovations slated for the future promise to bring new life and excitement while preserving this unmatched pillar of American architecture and ingenuity.
