It's not the tallest building in the world any more, but it's still one of the tallest. It's also one of the most impressive buildings to fill the Chicago skyline.
Other buildings can boast about being tall, but they're just regular sized folks wearing tall hats, by Chicago standards. At 110 stories (1,454 feet) the Sears Tower does still hold one significant record: it has the highest occupied floor. Certainly the most famous project of local architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Sears Tower owes its height to the engineering genius of Fazlur Khan and the rigorous American Modernism of Bruce Graham, design partner for the project.
Nine 75' by 75' squares make up the base of the tower, in what Graham called "bundled tubes." The solidity of the tower lies in its application of the principle that in unity lies strength. The bundled tubes, like slender sticks tied together in a bundle, are strong enough to withstand even serious winds at the top of the structure. But as any self-respecting Chicagoan will tell you, it sways. How much? A foot or a yard? The building management won't say.
From the Skydeck, Chicago and the surrounding landscape stretch out seemingly endlessly in every direction. Try to visit on a clear day. A cloudy day is a big waste of time and money. And there is something fascinating about the urban grid that lies so smoothly across the prairie to the west. Even jaded Chicagoans may get caught up in the challenge of helping a visitor see where their house is.
The elevator trip to the top will make yours ears pop, but it's a welcome sensation if you've been standing in line for any length of time. There's also an eight-minute multimedia presentation that is required for viewing before you hit the deck.
The
ever-expanding hub of the southeastern United States, Atlanta has grown from
an historic southern city into a huge modern metropolis comprised of
prestigious boroughs, corporate and theater districts, modern attractions
and more. Few American cities can match the unique blend of past and present
of Atlanta ....more
Waldorf Astoria Staff Room Hotel is on par to the 202 hotels in the city. In
New York, Park/50th Waldorf Astoria - Staff Room can be found at 301 Park
Ave. Waldorf Astoria - Staff Room New York City contains Hot Tub/Whirlpool,
Fitness Facility, and Hotel Parking - $45.00. Room options include:
Comfortable.... more
