The REIT that owns the Sears Tower is planning a luxury hotel adjacent to the landmark structure, as well as a $350 million environmental overhaul of the building. The green update project—aimed to reduce the building's electricity use by up to 80 percent—will potentially include solar panels and wind turbines. Jon Huston, one of the property's owners, indicated that these alternative power generators will supply electricity to the 500-room hotel. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture have been commissioned to design the hotel.

Other eco-friendly updates to the Sears Tower (which will be known as Willis Tower starting next month) include a green roof, the replacement and glazing of the building's 16,000-plus single-pane windows, and upgrades to the existing lighting and mechanical systems, according to the Chicago Tribune.
—Nielsen Business Media