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.

I must have missed something… really? This didn’t make news anywhere? As a boy from Chicago, it was strange to see Marshall Fields become Macy’s, but changing the name of the Sears Tower? I just don’t see it. It’s like trying to change the name of Wrigley Field to something else. Like how the football stadium in Denver is supposed to be called something other than Mile High – anyone know or care what the naming rights to it are?

According to Wikipedia,

However, in March 2009 London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., agreed to lease a large portion of the building and as part of the agreement obtained the building’s naming rights. In summer 2009 the building will be renamed Willis Tower.

Ok, so, open letter to you Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. You’re from England, so perhaps you don’t understand. I think you’ll find that the only people calling it the Willis Tower and A) The Media, who have to call it what it is ‘technically’ named and B) The people you pay to work there and call it the Willis Tower

I mean, Willis? To paraphrase… What you talkin’ bout?