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Move over Leaning Tower of Pisa. Chicago is hoping that tourists will fall for a new attraction but this one is actually designed to tilt. The John Hancock Center has literally expanded the Observatory deck to give visitors a view to die for. The aptly named Tilt is an extendable ledge that points down at a 30 degree angle.
The hands rails aren’t the only thing to help brace you. Three hydraulics pumps gradually lower the ledge in 3 stages: 20, 25 and 30 degrees. All that separates you from a 1,000 foot drop is two-and-a-half inches of glass.
“It’s very special glass,” engineer John Peronto assured DNAinfo. “It’s fully tempered, there’s three layers of fully tempered glass with structural inner layer laminates, so it’s very robust. The system itself is designed so that any two of the three panels can take the entire weight, and the third is just extra.”
The minute long ride costs $5 in addition to the price of general admission, which is $18 for adults and $12 for children under 12.
Tilt opens to the public Saturday, May 10.
