Sears Tower may receive silver paint job

CHICAGO, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The owners of the Sears Tower are considering painting the Chicago skyscraper silver instead of its classic black color, sources say.

Unidentified sources said New York investors Joseph Chetrit and Joseph Moinian, who are part owners of the Chicago landmark, are apparently considering the color change as part of the site's improved energy efficiency efforts, the Chicago Sun-Times said Wednesday.

The Sears Tower owners may be eyeing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating of silver through the paint job, the sources told the Sun-Times.

The Sun-Times said the silver rating by an environmental group is only the third best rating a structure can receive but would nonetheless be an accomplishment for the 36-year-old Sears Tower.

A spokesman for the Sears Tower owners wouldn't confirm the silver paint report but did tell the Sun-Times attempts are under way to improve the building's energy efficiency.

"We are actively looking for even more ways to save energy and improve the building," the unidentified spokesman said to the newspaper. "We are still examining our options and any details at this point would be speculative."