Original Sears Tower

This original 14-story Sears Tower, constructed as part of the Sears Catalog Facility, provided management offices, an observation deck and circulation among floors for many of Sears' 22,000 employees. The Tower dates back to 1906 and was once home to the radio station WLS -- World's Largest Store. In 1974, Sears moved its offices to the Loop, and in 1987, closed down the distribution facility.

Today, the Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is being maintained for possible renovation and reuse for a variety of community and youth programs.  For 10 months the Tower was surrounded by 12-stories of scaffolding while crews tuck-pointed the Tower’s more than 100-year old brick façade. By spring 2012, the building’s ornate terra cotta and brick will be fully restored to its original beauty, ready for another 100 years of service.