U.S. Equities will proudly join millions across the globe on March 29th by turning off lights in 17 of its properties from 8 to 9 pm in celebration of Earth Hour, an international, symbolic statement on climate change.

Dutch photographer, Jan Theun van Rees, has captured the city of Chicago with his unique perspective on some of the city’s most iconic and every day places. A special exhibit highlighting a selection of his intriguing and stunning Chicago’s Hidden Spaces images, commissioned by U.S. Equities Realty, are on display in the Sears Tower Wacker Lobby, 233 S Wacker Drive.

“As people who work in real estate, we often take for granted our exclusive access to an extraordinary array of places deep inside many of Chicago’s buildings,” said Bob Wislow, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Equities Realty. “When I fist saw van Rees’ work in early 2006, it hit me what a truly unique view it is to see what is really, just one wall away.”

The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MOCP) also held an exhibit showcasing this in late 2007. Most of the pieces commissioned by U.S. Equities will be donated to the museum.

“Van Rees’ images have allowed everyone a feeling of privilege – of following him into secret spaces after hard won access. In a sense we are being allowed into the minds of the architects and engineers, worlds of technical vocabulary and design principles that we can only pretend to understand,” stated Rod Slemmons, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

In addition to the commission of photographs, U. S. Equities published a 112 page book, One Wall Away – Chicago’s Hidden Spaces, showcasing 48 of van Rees’ photographs along with an essay by Slemmons. The book is available for purchase at the museum and Sears Tower.

Additional information on Jan Theun van Rees’ work can be found at www.onewallaway.com.