Willis Tower Globe Finds New Home In Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — The Willis Tower Globe has found a new home in an Elmhurst business. Christopher Glass & Aluminum, Inc., announced the iconic Willis Tower Globe sculpture is in the process of being installed at their new corporate headquarters located at 832 Industrial Drive.

“I am pleased to have recently relocated my company headquarters to Elmhurst and am especially happy to be able to save the famous Willis Tower Globe and bring it home to Elmhurst,” Abe Asllani, CGA’s owner, said in a release. “CGA is handling much of the renovations planned for the lobby and main floor of the Willis Tower in 2018 and the opportunity to acquire the globe happened quite suddenly. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime chances that just couldn’t be passed up.”

According to the release, with renovations and expansion planned for the near future, the Willis Tower could no longer be home to the 25-foot diameter modern globe sculpture which was made and installed by the Poblocki Sign Company in January 2010. It is estimated millions of Chicagoans and visitors from around the world have stopped to take photos and admire this iconic modern masterpiece.

In December, the globe was disassembled into 16 pieces using a spider crane and boom lift, according to a release. Next, the crew secured and transported the entire 16,000 pound, stainless steel structure back to CGA headquarters. Since arriving at CGA in Elmhurst, each piece has been thoroughly cleaned, inspected and prepared for assembly and installation.

Last month, the base piece for the globe structure was secured to a concrete foundation with arrangements for the remaining pieces to be installed in coming months, according to a release. Plans are also in the works to place a time capsule near the base of the globe which will hold memories of the Christopher Glass & Aluminum, Inc. company and its employees to commemorate the placement of the globe.

The date for an official grand opening celebration complete with ribbon cutting, ceremony and open house is to be determined. On that day the time capsule will be placed and the globe dedicated.

“It is very fitting that this globe has now found its’ way to our front door because our CGA family is made up of people with roots from all over the world," Asllani said in a release. "This symbolic sculpture is intended to celebrate the diversity within the Christopher Glass and Aluminum, Inc. company.”

Image via Christopher Glass and Aluminum, Inc.