Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Did you know there is a hidden, completely free public rooftop terrace tucked right into the base of Willis Tower? In this installment of the Chicago Architecture Center’s Docent Talks, veteran docent Kathy Krepps uncovers the massive, recent multi-million dollar transformation of Chicago’s most famous skyscraper and how it’s opening up to the community like never before. Read the conversation highlights below:
What’s the New Buzz Around Willis Tower?
For decades, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) functioned as a traditional, insular corporate fortress at the street level. This presentation breaks down "Catalog"—the massive, recent 300,000-square-foot retail, dining, and immersive entertainment redevelopment at the base of the tower that has completely changed how the public interacts with the building.
The Hidden Oasis: The 4th-Floor Public Park
The crown jewel of this street-level transformation is a stunning, multi-acre outdoor rooftop park located on the fourth floor of the new podium structure. Kathy explains how this beautiful green space is entirely open and accessible to the public, offering a quiet, biophilic escape right in the middle of the dense, bustling Loop.
Humanizing a Mid-Century Modern Icon
Designed originally by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in the 1970s, the tower was engineered for vertical scale and corporate efficiency. This talk explores the architectural ingenuity required to add a warm, welcoming, and accessible neighborhood hub to the base of a 110-story mega-tall skyscraper without compromising its historic design legacy.
Reimagining the Future of Downtown Precincts
The evolution of Willis Tower serves as a powerful blueprint for the future of central business districts globally. By converting strict corporate real estate into vibrant, community-focused public plazas, urban planners and architects are discovering new ways to keep downtown areas energized, sustainable, and relevant for generations to come.
Subscribe to the Chicago Architecture Center for more exclusive tours, interviews, and deep dives into the future of urban design.
Did you know there is a hidden, completely free public rooftop terrace tucked right into the base of Willis Tower? In this installment of the Chicago Architecture Center’s Docent Talks, veteran docent Kathy Krepps uncovers the massive, recent multi-million dollar transformation of Chicago’s most famous skyscraper and how it’s opening up to the community like never before. Read the conversation highlights below:
What’s the New Buzz Around Willis Tower?
For decades, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) functioned as a traditional, insular corporate fortress at the street level. This presentation breaks down "Catalog"—the massive, recent 300,000-square-foot retail, dining, and immersive entertainment redevelopment at the base of the tower that has completely changed how the public interacts with the building.
The Hidden Oasis: The 4th-Floor Public Park
The crown jewel of this street-level transformation is a stunning, multi-acre outdoor rooftop park located on the fourth floor of the new podium structure. Kathy explains how this beautiful green space is entirely open and accessible to the public, offering a quiet, biophilic escape right in the middle of the dense, bustling Loop.
Humanizing a Mid-Century Modern Icon
Designed originally by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in the 1970s, the tower was engineered for vertical scale and corporate efficiency. This talk explores the architectural ingenuity required to add a warm, welcoming, and accessible neighborhood hub to the base of a 110-story mega-tall skyscraper without compromising its historic design legacy.
Reimagining the Future of Downtown Precincts
The evolution of Willis Tower serves as a powerful blueprint for the future of central business districts globally. By converting strict corporate real estate into vibrant, community-focused public plazas, urban planners and architects are discovering new ways to keep downtown areas energized, sustainable, and relevant for generations to come.
Subscribe to the Chicago Architecture Center for more exclusive tours, interviews, and deep dives into the future of urban design.
