Comments on: Sears Tower Renamed Willis Tower After London Firm

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:24:38 +0000

Most people will keep calling it the Sears tower for at least generation. Which makes this first-degree idiocy.

The best solution, IMO, is for cities to insist on controlling the naming process for any substantial and prominent structure that is built with the active cooperation of the city when this involves things like tax breaks and so on. The most democratic approach would be to have a naming contest decided by a multistage referendum of some sort. Then the name should be pretty much permanent with exceptions for things like obvious changes of use.

It’s a public nuisance to have large institutional structures change their names. We live in a democracy, so its well within the right of the people to do this. Most folks don’t like that new architecture is now routinely viewed as a marketing opportunity. So we should just say no. Where’s the harm?

By: TerenceC

TerenceC — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:55:37 +0000

A rose by any other name still smells as sweet….. I would just like to know how come it doesn’t strike anyone as strange that a British Insurance company is poised for incredible US and global growth as the US taxpayer underwrites the unwinding and eventual breakup of one of it’s largest competitors (AIG).

By: GerardoC

GerardoC — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:29:50 +0000

At least they didn’t ask for a bailout to keep the name…

By: Tony Lambiris

Tony Lambiris — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:47:27 +0000

This is just the beginning I feel.

By: gerryf

gerryf — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:06:44 +0000

Like Sports stadiums?

Which one of those cherished icons are you referring to? Staples Center? Qwest Stadium? Comerica Park?…