Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name.

Barbaraann · 03-13-2009, 08:11 AM

It was announced yesterday that the Sears Tower in Chicago will be changing it's name. The 110 story Chicago skyscraper will be renamed the Willis Tower. Who's Willis? Henry Willis was a London insurance broker who started a company in 1828 that later became Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

Most Chicagoans are voicing their dislike for this name change.

The Sears Tower opened in 1973, and technically Sears moved out in 1992.

My opinion. It's only a name, after all.

Stitchy · 03-13-2009, 08:49 AM

and right there's the number one reason I will NEVER go to New York City.

110 story buildings.

EEP!

Radiobarry · 03-13-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchy

and right there's the number one reason I will NEVER go to New York City.

110 story buildings.

EEP!

Off topic...did you feel that way before 9/11? Or are you like me, with an overwhelming fear of heights, where you get the willies out of just looking up at buildings like that?

ON topic....

It's just like with a lot of the ballparks that have been renamed. I think for many years to come most people will still think of it as, and call it, the Sears Tower.

-- Barry

*SummerInFL* · 03-13-2009, 09:13 AM

I will be upset for all of 30 seconds and then move on with my life.

I think that most locations that retain a name for many years becomes more of an iconic thing and regardless if the name gets changed, will still be called that by most people, regardless if the original sponsors have the "left the building" so to speak.

I'll always call it the Sears Tower because that's what I knew it as growing up, most people aren't going to know what you're talking about with the new name anyway, at least for a few generations.

Barbaraann · 03-13-2009, 09:29 AM

When I visit Downtown Chicago, I sometimes get turned around. I can always count on the Sears Tower, and the John Hancock building to straighten me out. The Sears Tower is west of the Lake, and the John Hancock Building is North and closer. It helps me straighten myself out. I recently visited both of these buildings in Chicago. The Sky Decks are fun to visit. Guess I better get used to called it by it's new name.

mikeland · 03-13-2009, 09:48 AM

It's just a name change, but I think it's symbolic of how this nation no longer produces many things. All we do is push paper around - insurance and law suits.

Krillinish · 03-13-2009, 10:01 AM

I'm going to call it the Willis Tower when the name changes because that will be its name. I never understand the uproar when a building changes its name. It's just a name. I call the Honda Center the Honda Center.

Stitchy · 03-13-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiobarry

Off topic...did you feel that way before 9/11? Or are you like me, with an overwhelming fear of heights, where you get the willies out of just looking up at buildings like that?

no. I've been terrified of heights ever since I can remember. Only on buildings, though. I'm fine standing on the top of a mountain. But, I can't go higher than the 3rd floor in buildings. I'm scared of elevators too. Which makes it even harder. LOL.

Yeah, I'm like you....just the thought of being that high makes me uncomfortable.

CaliforniaAdventurer · 03-13-2009, 10:56 AM

When Mann's Theaters bought venerable Grauman's Chinese they tried to rename it Mann's Chinese. Eventually it went back to being called Grauman's Chinese, and is still a Mann Theater. But now we have three groups of people out here, the old timers who never heard of Mann's and calls it Grauman's, people who learned to call it Mann's Chinese in the 80s, (and still do) and people who know it's Grauman's Chinese now. It's so confusing.

OldSchoolMickey · 03-13-2009, 01:08 PM

I've been in the Sear's Tower a few times and even though I have no love for it, I will always refer to it as the Sear's Tower.

Same with the Sierra Tower at the DLH. Just because they changed the name of it to be more trendy for a promotion, that doesn't mean that I have to quit calling it what it was named when we first started staying in it and continue to do so still today (in fact, starting again tomorrow for 5 nights).

When I call to make our reservations, I request the Sierra Tower. Not one CM has "corrected" me yet. Since I'm the one paying, I can call it whatever I want...

aimster · 03-13-2009, 05:54 PM

Whatchoo talkin' about, Willis?

Barbaraann · 03-13-2009, 06:24 PM

Yes, Different Strokes, Gary Coleman, and big brother Willis have been mentioned a lot today.

*NeverNeverland* · 03-13-2009, 06:32 PM

Just like "Hollywood studios" at WDW will always be "MGM" to me, "Sears tower" will always be that to me.

I have no real fear of heights but I hate the closing in feeling all those tall buidlings in NYC give you. Best to keep your eyes on the ground anyway lol

Barbaraann · 03-13-2009, 06:36 PM

Being in a tall building and looking out the windows does not bother me. Now if I was out in the open and looking down, like on the top of a mountain, I'd probably be nervous.

Ride Warrior · 03-13-2009, 10:29 PM

Are you sure this isn't all just a tall tale?

03-13-2009, 08:11 AM	#1
Barbaraann RandomLadyOfFunAndGames Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35,631	Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. It was announced yesterday that the Sears Tower in Chicago will be changing it's name. The 110 story Chicago skyscraper will be renamed the Willis Tower. Who's Willis? Henry Willis was a London insurance broker who started a company in 1828 that later became Willis Group Holdings Ltd. Most Chicagoans are voicing their dislike for this name change. The Sears Tower opened in 1973, and technically Sears moved out in 1992. My opinion. It's only a name, after all.

03-13-2009, 08:49 AM	#2
Stitchy Laaaaaaaambert Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hotel California Posts: 13,548	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. and right there's the number one reason I will NEVER go to New York City. 110 story buildings. EEP! __________________

03-13-2009, 09:13 AM	#4
SummerInFL La! La! La! MiceChat Teen Scene Leader MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The underworld. Posts: 17,280	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. I will be upset for all of 30 seconds and then move on with my life. I think that most locations that retain a name for many years becomes more of an iconic thing and regardless if the name gets changed, will still be called that by most people, regardless if the original sponsors have the "left the building" so to speak. I'll always call it the Sears Tower because that's what I knew it as growing up, most people aren't going to know what you're talking about with the new name anyway, at least for a few generations. __________________ I love to take photos. Take a walk with me? SummerinFL - Webshots

03-13-2009, 09:29 AM	#5
Barbaraann RandomLadyOfFunAndGames Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35,631	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. When I visit Downtown Chicago, I sometimes get turned around. I can always count on the Sears Tower, and the John Hancock building to straighten me out. The Sears Tower is west of the Lake, and the John Hancock Building is North and closer. It helps me straighten myself out. I recently visited both of these buildings in Chicago. The Sky Decks are fun to visit. Guess I better get used to called it by it's new name.

03-13-2009, 09:48 AM	#6
mikeland World Traveler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aventura, FL Posts: 3,732	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. It's just a name change, but I think it's symbolic of how this nation no longer produces many things. All we do is push paper around - insurance and law suits. __________________

03-13-2009, 10:01 AM	#7
Krillinish Zephyr Pilot Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 167	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. I'm going to call it the Willis Tower when the name changes because that will be its name. I never understand the uproar when a building changes its name. It's just a name. I call the Honda Center the Honda Center. Last edited by Krillinish; 03-13-2009 at 11:11 AM. Reason: no apostrophe on "its"

03-13-2009, 10:56 AM	#9
CaliforniaAdventurer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 20,823	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. When Mann's Theaters bought venerable Grauman's Chinese they tried to rename it Mann's Chinese. Eventually it went back to being called Grauman's Chinese, and is still a Mann Theater. But now we have three groups of people out here, the old timers who never heard of Mann's and calls it Grauman's, people who learned to call it Mann's Chinese in the 80s, (and still do) and people who know it's Grauman's Chinese now. It's so confusing.

03-13-2009, 01:08 PM	#10
OldSchoolMickey Longtime Lurker Muhuhaha! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pasadena Posts: 2,115	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. I've been in the Sear's Tower a few times and even though I have no love for it, I will always refer to it as the Sear's Tower. Same with the Sierra Tower at the DLH. Just because they changed the name of it to be more trendy for a promotion, that doesn't mean that I have to quit calling it what it was named when we first started staying in it and continue to do so still today (in fact, starting again tomorrow for 5 nights). When I call to make our reservations, I request the Sierra Tower. Not one CM has "corrected" me yet. Since I'm the one paying, I can call it whatever I want...

03-13-2009, 06:24 PM	#12
Barbaraann RandomLadyOfFunAndGames Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35,631	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. Yes, Different Strokes, Gary Coleman, and big brother Willis have been mentioned a lot today.

03-13-2009, 06:32 PM	#13
NeverNeverland Gobble Gobble! MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: talkin' turkey Posts: 23,176 Blog Entries: 4	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. Just like "Hollywood studios" at WDW will always be "MGM" to me, "Sears tower" will always be that to me. I have no real fear of heights but I hate the closing in feeling all those tall buidlings in NYC give you. Best to keep your eyes on the ground anyway lol __________________ Almost Christmas!!

03-13-2009, 06:36 PM	#14
Barbaraann RandomLadyOfFunAndGames Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 35,631	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. Being in a tall building and looking out the windows does not bother me. Now if I was out in the open and looking down, like on the top of a mountain, I'd probably be nervous.

03-13-2009, 10:29 PM	#15
Ride Warrior Surfing The Universe Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 33,328	Re: Chicago's Sears Tower gets a new name. Are you sure this isn't all just a tall tale? __________________ C'mon! Turkeys have been good sports for years. Turkeys are our friends...not food!

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