Cute and cuddly may not have been words used to describe the Willis Tower before, but they might be now thanks to a Chicago startup’s new huggable high-rises.
Squeezable Skyline has launched a line of plush toys in the shape of some well-known skyscrapers, starting with the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, and the Empire State Building.
The more than 20-inch “squeezables” are “simplified versions of the real buildings and are designed at a relative scale to look great together as you build your collection.”
The design comes from three brothers and an architect who grew up near the Windy City and started out on their mission to make their "squeezable skylines" about five years ago.
“A dad traveling for business, looking for something for their son or daughter on the way home. An urban couple traveling to a city for a long weekend looking for a unique memento of their trip. A parent looking for a decoration for their baby’s nursery. It was these people we had in mind when developing our Squeezables,” the team wrote on their startup’s Kickstarter campaign.
The Kickstarter campaign, which launched Tuesday, has a goal of raising $25,000 by next month. But the team also said they are exploring options with retailers across Chicago and New York.
The campaign offers a “super early bird special” which gives the first 100 people who donate $25 or more a squeezable and free shipping. The value of a squeezable is estimated at $30.
Those who donate $45 or more will receive both squeezables with free shipping and pledges of $1,000 will get a “giant squeeze” and receive a handmade six-foot tall Willis Tower.
Local
The team hopes to eventually build the collection to include 25 skyscrapers in 14 cities.
