[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/us_sears_tower_ledge[/url]
[img]http://i.geeksailor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Sears-Tower-Glass-Balconies-01.jpg[/img]
[quote]CHICAGO – Visitors to the Sears Tower's new glass balconies all seem to agree: The first step is the hardest.
The balconies are suspended 1,353 feet in the air and jut out four feet from the building's 103rd floor Skydeck. Their transparent walls, floor and ceiling leave visitors with the impression they're floating over the city.
"It's like walking on ice," said Margaret Kemp, of Bishop, Calif., who said her heart was still pounding even after stepping away from the balcony. "That first step you take — 'am I going down?'"
Kemp was among the visitors who got a sneak preview of the balconies Wednesday. "The Ledge," as the balconies have been nicknamed, open to the public Thursday. Visitors are treated to unobstructed views of Chicago from the building's west side and a heart-stopping vista of the street and Chicago River below — for those brave enough to look straight down.
John Huston, one of the property owners of the Sears Tower, even admitted to getting "a little queasy" the first time he ventured out. But 30 or 40 trips later, he's got the hang of it.
"The Sears Tower has always been about superlatives — tallest, largest, most iconic," he said. "Today is also about superlatives. Today, we present you with 'the Ledge,' the world's most awesome view, the world's most precipitous view, the view with the most wow in the world."
The balconies can hold five tons, and the glass is an inch-and-a-half thick, officials said. Sears Tower officials have said the inspiration for the balconies came from the hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind on Skydeck windows every week. Now, staff will have a new glass surface to clean: floors.
"It's very scary, but at the same time it's very cool," said Chanti Lawrence of Atlanta, adding that she's made her first step toward overcoming her fear of heights.
Adam Kane, 10, of Alton, Ill., rushed to the ledge with his friends and siblings, and they each eagerly pressed their faces to the glass bottom.
"Look at all those tiny things that are usually huge," Adam said.
The balconies are just one of the big changes coming to the Sears Tower. The building's name will change to Willis Tower later this summer. Last week, officials announced a 5-year, $350 million green renovation complete with wind turbines, roof gardens and solar panels.
With the ledge, visitors like Kemp said the nation's tallest building has succeeded in creating something they've never seen before.
"I had to live 70 years for a thrill like this," she said.[/quote]
Jesus christ I would never take a step on those..
I happen to have a fear of heights, so going out on that would make me shit bricks.
Coool, I really wouldn't wanna go up there and look down / around
Also, isn't this 'News'?
[QUOTE=Sajeno;15813246]Also, isn't this 'News'?[/QUOTE]
I personally don't think so, but if so a mod can move it. And fix the title while he's at it.
The CN Tower has something like this, but only the ground is glass, not the whole enclosure. Pretty cool addition.
efeX, nothing will happen, the glass is 1 1/2" thick. According to the video it can support 3 cars.
palms are sweating just looking at that D:
what if someone stomps the ground?
[QUOTE=efeX;15813351]palms are sweating just looking at that D:
what if someone stomps the ground?[/QUOTE]
Better hope it's bullet-proof glass.
What if I jump and do a cannon ball? Will it break?
holy fuck
I would bring some hard objects in my hands like 2 bricks
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;15813447]What if I jump and do a cannon ball? Will it break?[/QUOTE]
Unless you can summon the strength to put 5 tons on it, then no.
And it can probably hold more. Designers always lower the safe weight ALOT to keep surfaces like these from overloading.
Holy fuck I would shit myself.
I would never go on that...
For that Facepuncher visiting Chicago for 2 weeks, he should visit this area.
I'd be scared shitless to walk on that.
I can see my house in one of those pictures.
I would love to go on that, I hate heights but it would be fun.
They should extend it 100 more feet outwards :)
Awesome, but I have a fear of falling from high places.
[QUOTE=PrismatexV2;15813235]I happen to have a fear of heights, so going out on that would make me shit bricks.[/QUOTE]
Then the floor would shatter.
do not want
The CN tower has got one of thoes
[img]http://www.hanifworld.com/CN%20Tower/15%20Glass%20floor%20CN%20tower.JPG[/img]
just the floor but its pretty scary to walk on...when 5 people are jumping on it at the same time
Jesus what if you trip and land really hard?
[QUOTE=Lol wut?;15813751]The CN tower has got one of thoes
[img]http://www.hanifworld.com/CN%20Tower/15%20Glass%20floor%20CN%20tower.JPG[/img]
just the floor but its pretty scary to walk on...when 5 people are jumping on it at the same time[/QUOTE]
I stood on those. It's pretty scary until you're actually on it, then it just feels like a solid floor.
If I ever go to Chicago, the Sears tower would be my first destination. Then, I would probably shit my pants when I look through the floor.
[QUOTE=Kalibos;15813723]do not want[/QUOTE]
Your avatar says so :D
Gives you a feeling of what you will see when you're falling off a tall building.
A great view.
Holy fuck! WANT!
That sounds and looks like a terrifying room to be in
Fuck me!
My pulse doubled just from fucking seeing that picture!
I'm scared just thinking about it
I have a fear of heights.
FUUUUUUUUU-
They should have a reality TV show with people with fear heights forced to live in there for a prize.
Fear Factor
[editline]11:38PM[/editline]
Also, there's a tower in Vegas that has glass panes at a downwards angle, scary shit, leaning on it. The elevator on it said we were on the 113 floor but somehow I doubt that.
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