Sears tower

flyer1982

I just heard on the news that they are going to rename the Sears tower! WTF? It's a city landmark and will now be known as the Willis tower.

Michelle&Mark

Umm...are you serious?? Do you have a news link?

Mrs.Graves51907

what, that doesn't make sense at all!  It's known every where as the Sears Tower. 

flyer1982

Here's the link that it was a possibility: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123672895064189071.html

I heard that it's confirmed according to Crain's Chicago Business (can't find link) but Mark Suppelsa was talking about it on the Mix this morning.

jalisni

That is terrible.  I will still call it the Sears tower.

flyer1982

It's kind of like when Comisky Park was renamed US Cellular. Everyone said they'd still call it Comisky...but now most people call it the Cell.

Melanie051907

I heard that too.  I think it's because of who is getting some floors in the building.

 http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=33287

 

flyer1982

I thought you might have heard something. Doesn't YH work in the building?

Melanie051907

Yes, he actually works for the building. (I deleted my previous post because it isn't official news yet, I don't want him to get in trouble). Supposedly they are going to be interviewed by CNN soon. THe news has been leaked but not confirmed.

Melanie051907

ok, it's been released, it's on NBC

http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/real_estate/Bu-Bye-Sears-Tower.html

 

flyer1982

They were saying part of the lure to get Willis to rent space was that they would get naming rights.

So sad...plus they got a great deal on the rent!

Melanie051907

DH said he's not sure if that is correct about the rent.  They haven't seen the lease yet to confirm, if it is correct, he agrees, they got it cheap.

mspaulak01

That's ridiculous.  I guess it just goes to show everyone - and everything can be bought for a price.

flyer1982

The thing is though when Sears moved out of the building back in 1994 and sold it the next owners kept the name. In a better economy I have a feeling Sears would have tried to pay to keep the naming rights.

Michelle&Mark

Wow, I'm in shock. I will always and forever call it the Sears tower as well.

Melanie051907

I guess the new owners don't have the same ties to the name as everyone else in the world. 

flyer1982

Melanie051907:

I guess the new owners don't have the same ties to the name as everyone else in the world. 

You can't really blame them when they'll have such a famous building with their name on it...and especially now that it's making such press everyone will now know who this insurance company is that got the naming rights!

Melanie051907

Willis insurance is not the new owner, they are just a new tenant.  That's why I said the current owners don't really care about it that much.  You'd think that after Met LIfe and others owned it after sears, they would have changed it to their name, nope, let's just name it after a tenant.  It makes zero sense to me.

flyer1982

Well the one article I read said to lure Willis to rent the space they would get naming rights. I agree it doesn't really make sense!

blairsgirl

Wow! That would be like changing the name of the Empire State Building.  I'm sure Sears has to pay money to have their name up there.  Maybe it is becoming too costly for them? Although talk about great advertising.

jalisni

I keep thinking of "What you talkin bout Willis". lol

blairsgirl

jalisni:

I keep thinking of "What you talkin bout Willis". lol

LOL! Michelle, you just made me laugh.  Whenever Blair doesn't understand what I am saying he says that. 

flyer1982

jalisni:

I keep thinking of "What you talkin bout Willis". lol

They kept saying that on the radio this morning and I was cracking up!

jalisni

What time?  I always listen to Eric & Kathy but I may have missed it.  I didn't leave the house until 7:40.

flyer1982

When the news broke...which was right before 9 I think. They were also playing the theme song from the Jefferson's. LOL!

jalisni

Oh, I was at work at 9.  That show makes me laugh.

flyer1982

Me too! That sucks you can't listen to it at work!