Height: N/A
Floor count: 50
Location: South Wacker and West Jackson
Construction end: N/A
Architect: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill
Developer: 233 S. Wacker Drive, LLC

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/939/searstowerbuildingandho.jpg
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5876/11444418.jpg
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/692/66805213.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/707/40875294.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2083/79707791.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/235/25148033.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/2829/93347850.jpg
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7882/97624150.jpg
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7313/80623868.jpg

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-24-2009/0005049861&EDATE=

Sears Tower Unveils Sustainable Plan to Transform Tallest Building in Western Hemisphere
Sears Tower today announced plans for the most significant sustainable modernization projects of an existing building ever undertaken. The project will result in unparalleled energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, reducing the base building electricity use by up to 80 percent, which includes a combination of energy savings and co-generation. The energy savings equal 68 million kilowatt hours annually or 150,000 barrels of oil every year. The sustainability plans also drive economic development in the West Loop, creating more than 3,600 jobs, and are part of a broader initiative to transform the global icon.

"Sears Tower, an iconic structure that defines the city's skyline, will undergo a groundbreaking transformation that creates economic growth with positive impact on our environment, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations," said John Huston of American Landmark Properties, representing the partnership that owns Sears Tower. "As the stewards of this icon, we take seriously our responsibility to make it relevant and successful, and the changes made and benefits realized through the bold sustainable initiatives at the tower serve as an example that a sustainable future is more than a concept, it is within our reach."

The building, which already meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, will undertake sustainability initiatives above and beyond those used by the United Stated Green Building Council to rate a green building. Modernization strategies, designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), include:

Efficiency improvements to the building's exterior envelope and windows. The tower has 16,000 single-pane windows. Sustainability plans for the building call for a window replacement and glazing program. Strategies to achieve a thermal break of the curtain wall are also being investigated. These upgrades would achieve savings of up to 50 percent of heating energy.
Mechanical systems upgrades in the form of new gas boilers that utilize fuel cell technologies, which generate electricity, heating and cooling at as much as 90 percent efficiency. Mechanical upgrades also will include new high-efficiency chillers and upgrades to the distribution system.
The tower's 104 high speed elevators and 15 escalators that will be modernized with the latest technology to achieve 40 percent reduction in their energy consumption.
Water savings that will be realized with conservation initiatives through upgrades to restroom fixtures, condensation recovery systems and water efficient landscaping, which will reduce water usage by 40 percent and save 24 million gallons of water each year.
Lighting that will be upgraded through advanced lighting control systems and daylight harvesting, an advanced lighting control system that automatically dims lights in tenant spaces based on the amount of sunlight entering through the windows. Combined, these upgrades will save up to 40 percent of lighting energy consumption.
Renewable energy like wind and solar, and technologies like green roofs that will be tested. Wind turbines will be tested to take advantage of the tower's height and unique set-back roof areas. Solar hot-water panels will help heat water for the building. Green roofs that can sustain high- altitude conditions, and that will be among the tallest in the world, will be tested to reduce storm water runoff, improve insulation, help mitigate the urban heat island effect, and provide pleasant vistas for tenants overlooking the areas.


"Buildings are the world's largest contributor to carbon emissions, and therefore the biggest opportunity to address climate change is to retrofit existing structures," said Adrian Smith, partner, AS+GG. "Our goal in the Sears Tower greening project is to create a holistic approach that integrates high-performance building technologies and design strategies for maximum energy efficiency. In the process, we hope to set a benchmark for how high-rise buildings throughout the world can limit their impact on the environment."

"Sustainable architecture in new buildings is important but not enough to address the climate and energy crises facing our world," added Gordon Gill, partner, AS+GG. "We have to apply what we've learned to our existing stock of commercial buildings--especially iconic structures such as Sears Tower, which we hope will inspire similar initiatives around the globe. These will serve as great examples for building owners and managers and can reposition existing building stock to be as competitive as most new buildings or even better."

As an important part of the modernization program, Sears Tower's plazas and retail spaces will also undergo changes. A new park at Wacker Drive and Adams Street will be an inviting public space with landscaping and seating. The Adams Street granite wall will be replaced with an interactive digital display, glass storefronts, and trees, which will be planted to form a landscaped terrace that will add a natural filter for carbon dioxide.

In addition to the most significant energy efficiency renovations ever undertaken on an existing building, another aspect of the transformation is a proposed new, privately funded hotel for the site at Jackson Boulevard and Wacker Drive. The hotel will be designed for a LEED Gold rating, and will become one of the most sustainable hotels in Chicago. The hotel will fill a critical need in the West Loop and provide a much welcomed facility for existing building tenants.

The reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions realized through the sustainability and modernization plans for the tower also brings economic opportunities by creating more than 3,600 jobs. Extending its impact beyond the site itself, the project will feature a dynamic Sustainable Technology Learning Center that is designed to help building visitors and Chicago tourists learn about ways to save energy and money, as Sears Tower serves as a laboratory that demonstrates to the office building industry how a sustainability program can be accomplished.

"The plans for the building bring new activity to the West Loop, and make it even more attractive to current and future tenants who are looking for more sustainable office solutions," said Robert A. Wislow, chairman and CEO of U.S. Equities Asset Management, the management and leasing agent for the tower. "Today, tenants want the buildings they inhabit to be environmentally friendly and more healthy for their employees. They demand sustainable workplaces. They are doing this because it is the right thing to do, has a positive effect on the environment, helps make their employees more productive and is becoming more and more important to their employees."

The cost of construction for the Sears Tower project is estimated at $350 million. A number of private and public financing and funding options are being explored. The majority of the energy savings will be realized in approximately five years and work will start immediately.

"The Illinois Environmental Council supports private and public investments in projects that spur job creation and economic development here in Illinois, while helping to meet the challenge of global climate change," said Charles Jackson, IEC executive director. "The Sears Tower energy sustainability and environmental education project presents a tremendous opportunity for inspiring building owners and the public to aspire to the highest standards of energy-efficiency."

Sears Tower's commitment to energy efficiency is well established. Since 1989, the building has reduced its annual electricity consumption by 34 percent. Since 1984, its energy efficiency improvements have resulted in a reduction of 51 million pounds of carbon emissions annually, or the equivalent of removing more than 4,400 cars from the road each year.

For more information on the sustainability plans for the building, please visit: www.searstower.com/icon.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7834/56590915.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5952/32715637.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2844/82516501.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1500/59205937.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2104/18135113.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3117/91141317.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9614/91812095.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5051/15189992.jpg
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/7052/79912247.jpg

where is the vid at ? i can't seem to find it :(

^Go to the link at the bottom of the 2nd post.

I am so ridiculously excited for everything about this project, especially the snazzy adjoining hotel. The idea of wind turbines on the setbacks makes me giddy in a hippy/environmentalist sort of way!

I'd say this building is around 600ft+. because the sears tower's first setback is 657ft, which the tower is near

Don't like the hotel idea. Renovation is cool, just believe the hotel should left out and not block the tower at such a close location.

Willis? ;)

so will the tower have that greenish hue to it when its done?

Don't like the hotel idea. Renovation is cool, just believe the hotel should left out and not block the tower at such a close location.


With all the empty office rental space, why not convert some of it to a hotel?

like the hotel as a separate entity. putting it next to Sears is a total juxtaposition. in such close quarters, the two buildings just dont work together.

yeah, I'm not a fan of the hotel being so close to the building either. Just think about all the wind effect bottle necking between those two buildings. And also, the view of your hotel will be someone's messy desk at work.

Adrian Smith delivers yet another stunner. He's very much at the forefront of the sustainable design movement. The design is absolutely beautiful, especially the base, which resembles whirls of water flowing from the bottom of the tower. I just wish it were situated in a more prominent location.

Very excited about this. :cheers:

Love the sustainable hotel idea right next door, I think it would make everyone think about the Sears (Willis) Tower differently. Great design too, could be a little taller even. But I'm not complaining, I think it's a great idea. The whole upgrade is a wonderful idea, it 100% needs to happen to keep the tower competitive on the world stage. Energy upgrades are critical.

The only real problem with the hotel, is in a post-9/11 era, who is going to want to stay in a hotel next to one of the world's tallest buildings; which was constructed in another era of building design? It would certainly make me uneasy if I were a tourist. Safely is sadly one part of the Sears Tower that can not be adequately upgraded. I'm not saying someone is going to try to destroy the tower, but if there was another attack on a tall building it would probably be on Sears.

great project. im sure this will help the environment.

Looks great! :cheers:

The new tower looks completely different than Sears. Seems a bit random, still great though

edit: Shouldn't this be called Willis Tower Renovation? Or have they decided to stick with the real name?

the design of the hotel may be exciting, but it doesn't look good squeezed like that next to sears. very bad location, IMO.

Like others have said, the tower design is very cool looking, but its location isn't appropriate if they want to make an impact.

very interesting proposal

The renovation of the Sears/Willis Tower is a good idea, but why have they decided to add a 50-storey hotel to the mix? I don't even like the hotel and do not even want any structure built on the block that the Sears Tower stands in. And I wouldn't want to convert any portion of the Sears Tower to any other use. I used to support an addition to the south of the Sears Tower, but after I started a thread on it and that thread was closed, I began to oppose any addition to the Sears Tower.

What are they thinking putting the hotel so close to the Sears Tower?!?! The hotel looks terrible being squeezed on to the city block Sears is on. I've never been against proposed building in Chicago. But, this one I think is not a good Idea. Sears is so massive and and Icon it doesn't deserve to be sharing it's foot print next to some cheap looking hotel. Adrian Smith i forgave you for the terrible job you did on the spire for Trump you mess up Sears you better leave Chicago...

Beautyful tower. It doesn't match with Sears at all, but who cares. :)

I have mixed feelings on this tower, although I really don;t have a problem with it being so close to Sears. The skyline of Chicago is already very eclectic and closed in on itself, so this tower not "matching" Sears doesn't really matter, because the only tower that really matches Sears aesthetically is Hancock. And the area over near the Trump and the area near Aqua are also much more crowded than the area directly around Sears, so nothing new there.

Wonderful looking tower. And its location is fine, it adds some great tower density. Enough with super talls having ridiculously large plazas and open space around them. Its an urban environment, not a suburb with supertalls.

I don't think it's the right design for the place. I think something more futuristic like the cctv building from Rem Koolhaas would fit better. Something stealthy and black with sharp edges.

I still do not want any skyscraper constructed on the current site of the plaza of the Sears Tower. Perhaps if we redesigned the plaza, it would help benefit the renovated sears Tower. I mean there's a small building that contains an entrance to the skydeck. How do you even get to the Skydeck from that little building? The Skydeck is at the 103rd floor.

Has anyone heard any updates on the proposed project?

........... what's up??

Why are you bumping this thread to say that?

curious if this was a rejected, a real proposal, concept, or what. I would like to hear something about this....

I hope this hotel did get rejected by the city council. The 233 South Wacker Renovation is still going ahead, but the hotel will not be constructed.

Don't build this Chicago. Absolutely no respect for wonderful Sears Tower. What if i as a tourist or art student want to make a picture of the Sears Tower as a great example of it's era it gets ruined by some Eco friendly bull shit.

I took this picture at the CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION a few days ago, but I have to say that I don't like the idea. The building is great, but build it elsewhere; there are many other places in The Loop that would look great if it was constructed there, but please, not so close to the iconic Sears.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2eml66c.jpg

I'd prefer they do build considering the fact that, that side of the Sears Tower (Willis who?) is pretty much naked and needs some added density. I've been for the longest now to finally see something new happen to the south side of the building and I personally like the design and location (although they could move it down a block and i'd still be ok with that)

awwwww that cute mother :hug: