CHICAGO — Wind turbines, roof gardens and solar panels will join the pair of antennas atop the Sears Tower’s staggered rooftops, said building officials who announced Wednesday that the skyscraper would undergo a $350 million green renovation.
The five-year project would reduce the tower’s electricity use by 80 percent and save 24 million gallons of water a year, building owners and architects said. Separately, a 50-story, 500-room privately funded luxury hotel with its own green components would be built next to the skyscraper in 3 1/2 to five years.
“Our plans are very ambitious,” said John Huston of American Landmark Properties, who represents the building ownership. “Our plans to modernize and transform this icon will re-establish Sears Tower as a leader, a pioneer.”
The environmental upgrades are the latest changes affecting the Sears Tower. In March, London-based Willis Group Holdings announced that the Sears Tower would be renamed the Willis Tower later this summer after the company moves 500 employees into the building.
