Have you seen the Chicago Sears Tower piece that’s been running on TV? Oh man, take some Dramamine to get thru it. They have redesigned the observation deck with glass floors that extend beyond the building by 10 feet. OK, that is freaky scary and makes my stomach turn just thinking about it. I was giggling at how kids just love it and we adults are always in wonderment at their fearless and inspiring spirits.

Oh yes, your eyes do not deceive you nor is this a photoshopped image.  This is the glass balcony that is 1,353 feet high.  I will let you take a moment to pick your jaw up off your desk.  Reconnect it to you face… OK, are you ready?

If you’re a parent, would you let your kids stand on that glass?

I am sorry but if I  were a parent, I would not let my kids go anywhere near this.  They should make this like a ride at Disney or Universal Studios.  You have to be a certain height.

Hey maybe I’m becoming afraid of heights and a big drama queen here. Parents chime in please.

The parents of these kids are just as provocative as the ones who keep pythons in the house with their toddlers. These balconies are an interesting architectural concept, but place children on them and call the press to take pictures… are they just asking for a terrorist attack or something?

I haven’t heard too much about the Tower in Chicago going green, except for the plans to retrofit the one-time tallest building in the world. Here’s some really cool green details that were finally released just a few weeks ago.

Hey, did you hear this? USA today has jumped all over this story about The Empire State Building in New York City in the middle of a $500 million energy efficiency makeover. Reducing energy costs is one way that companies can cut back on their expenses and meet their corporate sustainability goals.

In addition to the energy efficient retrofit of the building, the owners are also working with tenants on LEED certification. Is this surprising to you? The Swedes are doing the green gargantuan effort of redesigning with energy efficient retrofits of the building. The owners of the building are also working with tenants on LEED certification

The Swedish company that is doing the get green project wants its U.S. headquarters to have a LEED “platinum” certification — reserved for only the most efficient of buildings — and it found a willing partner in the Empire State Building. Skanska officials said the building’s management helped them install bike racks and add other energy-saving details on the 32nd floor.”

Yes, you heard that right, bike racks on the 32nd floor.  I’ve been there and don’t recall too much space inside or out. It certainly is not as roomy as the World Trade Center was. But bikes upstairs?  Hey, if that’s being green extreme then up the elevator the bikes will go.

I’m just pumped to see companies not only here in the bay but all over the world finding that they need to commit to green upgrades.

I would hope they convert those lights to halogen on the Empire’s nipple.

Wouldn’t that be the first thing you’d do?

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