Sears Tower unveils 103rd floor glass balconies

kelsey59 · #1 07-01-2009, 09:41 PM

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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.

I remember standing on the glass floor at the top of the CNN tower in Toronto. That was enough for me, expectually when the little kids started jumping up and down on glass.

dembo · #2 07-01-2009, 09:49 PM

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Originally Posted by kelsey59

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I remember standing on the glass at the top of the CNN tower in Toronto. That was enough for me, expectually when the little kids started jumping up and down on glass.

That would FREAK me out! No way.

AttackPlanR · #3 07-01-2009, 09:51 PM

The Sears tower is cool. I bet those new floors are a trip!

Captain Jack Sparrow · #4 07-01-2009, 09:53 PM

Another place to put on my bucket list I also want to do the glass skywalk at the grand canyon.

kelsey59 · #5 07-01-2009, 09:59 PM

Some better images.

OrioleNut · #6 07-01-2009, 10:24 PM

"I dont know what happened, I mean they were supposed to hold up to 5 tons."

pepper · #7 07-01-2009, 10:27 PM

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Originally Posted by kelsey59

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I remember standing on the glass floor at the top of the CNN tower in Toronto. That was enough for me, expectually when the little kids started jumping up and down on glass.

We have also been to the CN tower, and you're right about the weird feeling you get on those glass floors. They're at the 1100 ft. level, and no matter how much info they have about their construction or how many elephants that glass floor could hold, it's more than a bit unnerving. And it really is glass. Thermal (layered) and 2.5 inches thick. The Sears tower glass floors are "only" 1.5 inches thick, and at 1300 feet, are even more intimidating, or awesome, depending on your mindset, because they look to be a lot less restrictive.

And I hope I don't offend you with the correction, but it's called the CN tower, after the Canadian railway company that built it in '75, Canadian National. It's now owned by a different company, but they keep the origional name, I guess for tourism reasons.

I only know this because I was facinated with this building, which until 2007 was the tallest free standing building in the world, a 31 year record. It's one of my all time favorite (man made) things I've been to on a vacation.

Capitan Jack mentions the new sky walk at the Grand Canyon, and while that looks incredible, I doubt I'd be comfortable on it. And there you can't take a camera, as insane as that sounds.

kelsey59 · #8 07-01-2009, 10:28 PM

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Originally Posted by OrioleNut

"I dont know what happened, I mean they were supposed to hold up to 5 tons."

Best laugh I have had all day.

kelsey59 · #9 07-01-2009, 10:37 PM

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Originally Posted by pepper

And I hope I don't offend you with the correction, but it's called the CN tower, after the Canadian railway company that built it in '75, Canadian National. It's now owned by a different company, but they keep the origional name, I guess for tourism reasons.

My stupid mistake, I do that a lot when I am typing.

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Capitan Jack mentions the new sky walk at the Grand Canyon, and while that looks incredible, I doubt I'd be comfortable on it. And there you can't take a camera, as insane as that sounds.

I remember hearing somewhere that it isn't cheap; it would really bite if you can't take a camera.

Horseshoecurve · #10 07-01-2009, 10:37 PM

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Originally Posted by kelsey59

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I remember standing on the glass floor at the top of the CNN tower in Toronto. That was enough for me, expectually when the little kids started jumping up and down on glass.

After doing the Grand Canyon skywalk...I can handle it.

Horseshoecurve · #11 07-01-2009, 10:40 PM

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Originally Posted by Captain Jack Sparrow

Another place to put on my bucket list I also want to do the glass skywalk at the grand canyon.

You have to do it. It's incredible.

pepper · #12 07-01-2009, 10:54 PM

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Originally Posted by kelsey59

My stupid mistake, I do that a lot when I am typing.

I remember hearing somewhere that it isn't cheap; it would really bite if you can't take a camera.

I only know what I've read about it, and maybe Horseshoecurve (been there too!) can back up or correct me on it, but it seems the operators fear that a dropped camera would damage the ecosystem. I seriously doubt thats a legit reason. Maybe like the folks that operate the "swim with the dolphins" thing in Florida would rather you pay them for a picture.

Captain Jack Sparrow · #13 07-01-2009, 11:09 PM

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Originally Posted by pepper

Capitan Jack mentions the new sky walk at the Grand Canyon, and while that looks incredible, I doubt I'd be comfortable on it. And there you can't take a camera, as insane as that sounds.

It's to keep the glass from being scratched if dropped. They also make you wear booties to keep the glass from scratching. Evidently a lot of people have a tough time with the sensations and wind up crawling on the glass to get back to ground.

There was a Discovery channel special on how it was built and it's pretty incredible and very, very strong. The glass is separate panels, not one big sheet and the base is anchored into the wall of the grand canyon.

pepper · #14 07-02-2009, 12:00 AM

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Originally Posted by Captain Jack Sparrow

It's to keep the glass from being scratched if dropped. They also make you wear booties to keep the glass from scratching. Evidently a lot of people have a tough time with the sensations and wind up crawling on the glass to get back to ground.

There was a Discovery channel special on how it was built and it's pretty incredible and very, very strong. The glass is separate panels, not one big sheet and the base is anchored into the wall of the grand canyon.

It's obviously very cool, but it's also a complete scam at the same time. Operated by the Hualapai tribe, who claims it cost about 30 million to build (very hard to believe, IMO) it's at once an awesome opporotunity, and a tourist trap.

"Parking at The Skywalk is provided but access to the Skywalk is only permitted by supplied coach buses. The cost of the coach ride as at June 20 2009 is $30, which will take you the Skywalk and two other viewing areas. The cost to walk the Skywalk is $30. No personal equipment is allowed on the Skywalk and lockers are provided. No photographs may be taken by visitors to the Skywalk however up to three photography stations are installed. Photographs taken may be purchased in the gift shop at $29 each."

SoSad · #15 07-02-2009, 02:01 AM

I saw this on the news and I'm not sure if I'm willing to give it a try. More than likely I'd go for it, but yikes, no guarantee.

jdsample · #16 07-02-2009, 02:07 AM

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Originally Posted by pepper

It's obviously very cool, but it's also a complete scam at the same time. Operated by the Hualapai tribe, who claims it cost about 30 million to build (very hard to believe, IMO) it's at once an awesome opporotunity, and a tourist trap.

"Parking at The Skywalk is provided but access to the Skywalk is only permitted by supplied coach buses. The cost of the coach ride as at June 20 2009 is $30, which will take you the Skywalk and two other viewing areas. The cost to walk the Skywalk is $30. No personal equipment is allowed on the Skywalk and lockers are provided. No photographs may be taken by visitors to the Skywalk however up to three photography stations are installed. Photographs taken may be purchased in the gift shop at $29 each."

You lose $89, make a memory, and have a picture to show for it. Compared to a casino its a good deal.

jdsample · #17 07-02-2009, 02:09 AM

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Originally Posted by Captain Jack Sparrow

It's to keep the glass from being scratched if dropped. They also make you wear booties to keep the glass from scratching. Evidently a lot of people have a tough time with the sensations and wind up crawling on the glass to get back to ground.

That would suck if you are wearing your diamond-studded jacket.

kelsey59 · #18 07-02-2009, 02:21 AM

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Originally Posted by jdsample

You lose $89, make a memory, and have a picture to show for it. Compared to a casino its a good deal.

I know the casino part all too well.

jdsample · #19 07-02-2009, 02:26 AM

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Originally Posted by kelsey59

I know the casino part all too well.

Consider it punishment for not majoring in math.

kelsey59 · #20 07-02-2009, 02:34 AM

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Originally Posted by jdsample

Consider it punishment for not majoring in math.

Majored in computer science. Unfortunately, it is easy to make the assumption (after a few drinks) that the law of averages, and probability statistics will fall on someone else's shoulder and you can ride a short term anomaly.

I never was too stupid to lose anything more then I could afford to lose. Now the stock market is a different story.