Merchandise Mart, Art Deco skyscraper in downtown Chicago, Illinois
Merchandise Mart is a large commercial and office complex along the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois, United States. The facade shows typical Art Deco elements with vertical lines, geometric patterns and limestone cladding.
Construction began in the late 1920s under the direction of a well-known Chicago department store. The building changed owners several times and served briefly as a naval administration center during World War II.
The original name reflects the trading function the building has served since its creation. Today it primarily houses design firms and professionals working in interior furnishings.
Visitors can explore the public areas on the ground floor and the lobby. Access to upper floors is restricted to employees and clients of the companies based there.
Each evening large-scale light projections are cast onto the river-facing side of the building. These changing artworks are visible from many points along the riverfront.
Location: Illinois
Architects: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
Architectural style: Art Deco
Floors above the ground: 25
Website: http://merchandisemart.com
GPS coordinates: 41.88860,-87.63550
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
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