Pratt and Lambert - Personal Expressions 2008 - (Page 29) Wallpaper color similar to Café Gray 33-20 photography courtesy of the Merchandise Mart a rich history The Merchandise Mart holds a prominent position in the history of the Windy City. It was built by master retailer Marshall Field & Co., and opened in 1930 as a national wholesale retail center that boasted extraordinary art deco architecture. Upon construction, it was billed “the largest building in the world,” and was only surpassed by the Pentagon in 1943. Joseph P. Kennedy purchased the property in 1945, and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. was formed. Kennedy revived the original concept of the building, gradually opening showrooms to the public, and in the 1940s and ’50s, The Mart became the largest producer of trade shows in the United States. Over the years, many additions, renovations and improvements have developed it into the outstanding design resource that it is today. so much to offer “The Merchandise Mart features unique high-end products, most of which cannot be found in any other location in the world,” says Michele Hodo, senior director of marketing for The Merchandise Mart Design Center. The Mart encompasses two city blocks of downtown Chicago and rises 25 stories, making it the largest commercial building in the world. It receives more than three million P R AT T & L A M B E R T 29
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.