[ElChico]

http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/2009/03/12/8726526-ap.html

Chicago’s Sears Tower to get new name & tenant
2009-03-12 14:10:31


CHICAGO (AP) — The tallest building in America is getting a new name.

Chicago’s Sears Tower will be renamed Willis Tower after London-based Willis Group Holdings. The insurance broker announced the name change and other details of its agreement with the building’s owners Thursday.

Willis is moving five offices and nearly 500 employees into the 110-story building. The move is expected to be completed by late summer.

Willis will occupy more than 140,000 square feet at $14.50 a square foot. The company says it’s not paying anything extra for the naming rights.

The 1,451-foot skyscraper is owned by a real estate investment group formed in 2004 to buy the tower.

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On the Net:

http://www.willis.com

http://www.searstower.com

 

[MetroMan]

I wonder what Chicagoans think? Torontonians would be pissed if we renamed our most famous building on the skyline – the CN Tower – for example.

 

[junctionist]

I wonder what Chicagoans think? Torontonians would be pissed if we renamed our most famous building on the skyline – the CN Tower – for example.

They were pissed when a company wanted to rename the former most famous building on the skyline, the Royal York. In the end there was a compromise.

 

[kEiThZ]

I wonder what Chicagoans think? Torontonians would be pissed if we renamed our most famous building on the skyline – the CN Tower – for example.

Kinda like the umm Rogers Centre....

 

[adma]

Well, when it comes to the name "Willis" in Chicago...

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

ferris is gonna be pissed!

 

[Long Island Mike]

Renaming the Sears Tower the Willis Tower...

Everyone: I feel it would be a mistake to re-name the Sears Tower since so many Chicagoans know it as it is since it was constructed in the mid 70s.

I don't see the negative in the name "Willis" - There is a busy road named Willis Avenue in Mineola,Nassau County here on LI and also there is a village named East Williston next door.

Speaking of sports-one of the NY Knick's most famous 70s era basketball players was Willis Reed.

But-if this new Company signs up Gary Coleman to make up advertising for this name change I can not help but wonder...LI MIKE

 

[wyliepoon]

I wonder what Chicagoans think?

The same way they thought after Marshall Field's got changed into Macy's?

 

[ShonTron]

Or how Comiskey Park became US Cellular Field.

And people complain about using the old name for Skydome here.

 

[syn]

Maybe this thread should be merged with the other thread on the colour change:

http://www.urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=8598