The Fantasy News Times

In a surprise move today, the last of Chicago's "trophy properties" which have been up for sale during the past 18 months, was sold to Bill Slater, a system engineer and web developer who is known for his interest in and passion for the Internet.  Slater offered the present owners of the Amoco Building $450 million in cash for the property.

When asked about why he chose to buy the Amoco Building, Slater explained that it's because it is the location of his Internet Service Provider, XSITE Internet Service.   He said he has plans to rename the structure, which was built in the early 1970s, "The BillSlater.com Building".  When asked about why he would rename the building to "The BillSlater.com Building", Slater replied, "Well, I think it's a good thing and a definite indication that we are living in the Age of the Web. Besides, since my ISP is on the 79th floor of this building, my website, http://billslater.com is there also.  Incidentally, it is fixing to go over the 1 million hit count mark in early December 1998.  I think that the idea of calling it by its new name will quickly catch on and you'll see this as the beginning of a new trend in prestige real estate."  When asked about other plans he might have for the building, Slater said, "I think I'll give my ISP free rent, because they're such nice people and they do such great work!"

What makes this real estate deal so interesting is the manner in which the purchase capital was raised:  Slater figured out a way to get $450 for each of the 1 million hits on his website at http://billslater.com.  In fact, sources close to Slater have speculated that he decided to purchase the Amoco Building to celebrate his website reaching the 1 million hit count point.

Mr. Slater lives and works in Chicago, and is expected to move his personal office to the top floor of  "The BillSlater.com Building" so he can have a better view of Lake Michigan and of downtown Chicago.  Slater is reachable via e-mail on the Internet at slater@billslater.com or his website at http://billslater.com  .

The Amoco Building
Chicago, IL
(soon to be renamed
"The BillSlater.com Building")

Photo by Bill Slater