A fixture of the Chicago riverfront since 1930, the Merchandise Mart (The Mart) was once the world’s largest commercial building. At just under 4 million square feet, the Art Deco monolith was first erected by department store giant Marshall Fields as a one-stop-shop for retailers and wholesalers. Serving as a “Midwest Pentagon” during World War II, the property was owned by the Kennedy Family for a half-century before being sold to Vornado Realty Trust in 1998. The behemoth building now houses numerous offices.
Incorporating hundreds of salespoints maintained by stalwart design brands like Steelcase and Bernhardt, The Mart has also been home to contract furniture fair NeoCon since the late 1960s. With the three-day event now welcoming over 50,000 visitors annually, it’s only fitting that a $35 million multiyear redevelopment scheme at The Mart helmed by Gensler was unveiled during this year’s edition, which was held from June 12 through 14.
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