The Merchandise Mart (THE MART)
4.5(2.5K)google
2.2(17)yelp
Historic BuildingArtDowntown
Overview
The Merchandise Mart (now famously known as THE MART) is an absolutely colossal Art Deco corporate monument commanding the Chicago Riverfront skyline. When it officially opened in 1930 by Marshall Field, it held the historic title of the largest building in the world, featuring its own massive zip code. Today, it stands as a bustling innovative epicenter for premier interior design showrooms, tech hubs, and creative offices, famously projecting the massive 'Art on theMART' digital art installation onto its giant exterior facade nightly.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-1.5 hours
Best TimeThe best time to visit is during the evening from spring to autumn (generally April through December). While the Art Deco mega-structure is impressive by day, its river-facing facade comes alive at night with the massive 'Art on theMART' digital art projection show, usually starting around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM.
Getting ThereIncredibly accessible as the building features its own transit stop. Take the 'L' Brown or Purple Lines directly to the Merchandise Mart station; exiting the train brings you straight onto the second floor of the structure.
Travel Tips
- As a massive commercial building, floors 3 through 11 house elite design showrooms that are strictly closed to the general public and restricted to licensed trade buyers. Wandering into these levels without a commercial pass will prompt security intervention.
- The building features its own elevated CTA station on the 2nd floor. Weekday rush hours (4:30 PM - 6:00 PM) trigger an extreme bottleneck as thousands of commuters flood the transit gates; leisure visitors should actively avoid these intervals.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The building's signature draw is the giant outdoor nightly digital art projection mapping. The absolute worst spot to view it is right under the building; head across the river to the Chicago Riverwalk along Wacker Drive for an unobstructed panoramic view.
Reviews
Positive
- The pure physical mass of this Art Deco giant delivers unparalleled visual awe, and its signature night laser show 'ART on THE MART' is spectacular.
- The lower levels feature a futuristic open public concourse with ample designer lounge seating, making it a great spot for general leisure.
- The building integrates its own CTA Brown/Purple Line station, offering unbeatable convenience with high-quality accessible features.
- The indoor food court gathers diverse fast-casual eateries; the environment is spacious and orderly, with fair spending value for downtown.
Heads up
- Aside from the lower concourse, the upper design showrooms and tech offices enforce strict security, preventing general tourists from exploring.
- During weekday lunch peaks, thousands of office workers swarm the concourse, causing crowd density to skyrocket with massive noise and chaos.
- The outdoor riverfront viewing platform for the projection show lacks permanent shelters, and nearby private parking lots carry extortionate rates.
- Due to its colossal footprint, the corridors are confusing; directional signs can leave tourists lost, and accessible lifts are tucked away.