Editing Willis Tower (section)

=== Skydeck ===
[[File:Willis tower skyboxes (1).jpg|thumb|Four glass-bottom skyboxes on the west facade of the Willis Tower at the 103rd floor]]
[[File:Willis Tower glass box.jpg|thumb|left|Glass balcony at the Skydeck]]
<!-- This section is linked from [[John Hancock Center]] -->
The Willis Tower observation deck, called the Skydeck, opened on June 22, 1974. Located on the 103rd floor, {{convert|1353|ft|m|1}} above ground level, it is the highest observation deck in the United States<ref name="ABC7 New York 2013 o073">{{cite web | title=One World Trade Center in New York to surpass Willis Tower in Chicago as tallest building in US | website=ABC7 New York | date=November 12, 2013 | url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/9322666/ | access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref> and one of Chicago's most famous tourist attractions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rackl |first1=Lori |title=Chicago spot makes TripAdvisor's list of world's top tourist attractions in 2019 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-most-popular-tourist-attractions-tripadvisor-1216-20191216-c5cjsjufrfdhriwzdvty2cfcge-story.html |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=October 12, 2021 |date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> Tourists can experience how the building sways in wind and see far over the plains of Illinois and across [[Lake Michigan]] to [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], and [[Wisconsin]] in clear conditions. Elevators reach the top in about 60 seconds, allowing occupants to feel the change in pressure as they ascend. Some 1.7&nbsp;million tourists visit annually {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.<ref name="Lewis 2019 k926">{{cite web | last=Lewis | first=Sophie | title=Protective layer of Willis Tower's SkyDeck cracks under visitors' feet | website=CBS News | date=June 12, 2019 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/willis-towers-skydeck-chicago-cracks-protective-layer-under-visitors-feet-2019-06-12/ | access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Ori 2018 t377">{{cite web | last=Ori | first=Ryan | title=Willis Tower owner seeks thousands of new visitors per day, as $500 million expansion takes shape | website=Chicago Tribune | date=September 13, 2018 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/ryan-ori/ct-biz-willis-tower-expansion-ryan-ori-20180907-story.html | access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref> There is also an event venue on the 99th floor.<ref name="Skydeck Chicago 2023 v657">{{cite web | title=Chicago Event Venues | website=Skydeck Chicago | date=April 25, 2023 | url=https://theskydeck.com/private-events/ | access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref>

In January 2009, a major renovation of the Skydeck began, including the installation of retractable glass balconies which extend approximately {{convert|4|ft|m}} from the facade of the 103rd floor, overlooking South Wacker Drive. The all-glass boxes, informally dubbed "The Ledge", allow visitors to see the street below. The boxes, which can accommodate {{convert|5|ST|MT|abbr=off}}, opened to the public on July 2, 2009.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-07-01-sears-tower-glass-balconies_N.htm "Sears Tower unveils 103rd floor glass balconies"], ''USA Today'', July 1, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.som.com/content.cfm/sears_tower_observation_deck|title=The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago|access-date=May 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608034757/http://www.som.com/content.cfm/sears_tower_observation_deck|archive-date=June 8, 2011|url-status=dead}} SOM.com Project Page</ref> On May 29, 2014, the [[laminated glass]] flooring of one of the boxes cracked while visitors were inside, but there were no injuries.<ref>{{cite web|author=BJ Lutz |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-willis-tower-sky-deck-ledge-crack-261079001.html |title=Coating on Willis Tower Skydeck's Ledge Cracks Under Tourists |publisher=Nbcchicago.com |date=May 30, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014}}</ref> The flooring of the same box cracked again on June 12, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sophie Lewis |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/willis-towers-skydeck-chicago-cracks-protective-layer-under-visitors-feet-2019-06-12/ |title=Protective layer of Willis Tower's SkyDeck cracks under visitors' feet |publisher=cbsnews |date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>  In May 2022 a fifth glass ledge opened on the west facade overlooking South Wacker Drive.
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{{Wide image|WillisTowerPanorama01.jpg|2300px|Panorama of Chicago skyline as seen from Willis Tower Skydeck||center|}}