History of Chicago upper income Americans continued to move from the city for better housing and schools in the suburbs. Office building resumed in the 1960s. When completed in 1974, the Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower, at 1451 feet was the world's tallest building. It was designed by the famous Chicago firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which designed many of the city's famous buildings. Mayor Richard J. Daley served 1955–1976, dominating the city's machine politics by his control of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee, which selected party nominees, who were usually elected in the Democratic stronghold. Daley took
Southwest Tower Building of Texas phone center to Sears Vinyl Siding. When it opened in 1972 it was considered the leading business tower in the city. (Austin American-Statesman November 18, 1972) The Southwest Tower Building was the site of a fire on Sunday, March 6, 2011. No cause has been given for the fire. Southwest Tower Building The Southwest Tower Building is a 12-storey, building at 211 East 7th St. in Downtown Austin, Texas and is located across the street from the historic Driskill Hotel and the modern Omni Hotel. On the edge of the E. 6th Street entertainment district and Congress Avenue,