[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"redirects:L29ubGluZS1yZXNvdXJjZXMvYnVpbGRpbmdzLW9mLWNoaWNhZ28vbWVyY2hhbmRpc2UtbWFydA==":3,"global-data":4,"page:L29ubGluZS1yZXNvdXJjZXMvYnVpbGRpbmdzLW9mLWNoaWNhZ28vbWVyY2hhbmRpc2UtbWFydA==":554,"encyclopedia:callout":760},{},{"data":5},{"centerHours":6,"cruiseHomepage":18,"donateDetails":22,"environment":27,"errorImages":28,"footer":32,"generalInformation":194,"header":215,"hoursMessage":290,"menu":293,"searchOptions":327,"showNewsletter":14,"socialLinks":346,"specialClosures":354,"tourDetailPage":355,"announcements":361,"specialHours":363,"ticketPricingMap":364,"reservedUrlExceptions":551},{"friday":7,"monday":10,"saturday":11,"sunday":12,"thursday":13,"tuesday":16,"wednesday":17},{"closed":8,"open":9},"4:00 PM","10:00 AM",{"closed":8,"open":9},{"closed":8,"open":9},{"closed":8,"open":9},{"centerClosed":14,"closed":15,"open":9},true,"5:00 PM",{"centerClosed":14,"closed":15,"open":9},{"centerClosed":14,"closed":15,"open":9},{"@type":19,"id":20,"model":21},"@builder.io/core:Reference","3b5fc91c6f2a4abca17a9402644f03fd","tours",{"copy":23,"headline":24,"linkText":25,"linkUrl":26},"Every gift to the Chicago Architecture Center supports life-changing experiences.","DONATE","Donate","https://cart.architecture.org/donate/q/support","Production",{"altTag":29,"desktopImage":30,"mobileImage":31},"This is a decorative background image","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F769d6fb636124711a0e69d8887fbd16f","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F8296158e131b48c8a5133f27bab0f8a3",{"additionalLinks":33,"copyrightText":37,"footerLinks":38,"logo":45,"logoAlt":46,"menu":47},[34],{"label":35,"link":36},"Volunteer Portal","https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Login?agencyGuid=9f3c84a3-5b68-4720-bd2d-5594a6a04b5f","© Copyright 2026",[39,42],{"label":40,"link":41},"Privacy Policy","/privacy-policy",{"label":43,"link":44},"Reports","/reports","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F8031b7f1dadb4ec68d54bcb4d8900c1f","CAC Logo",[48,71,90,107,132,149,175],{"label":49,"mobileLabel":49,"url":50,"priority":51,"subitems":52},"City Tours","/city-tours",false,[53,56,59,62,65,68],{"label":54,"url":55},"Boat Tour","/city-tours/river-cruise",{"label":57,"url":58},"Walking Tours","/city-tours?tourType=Walking",{"label":60,"url":61},"Bus Tours","/city-tours?tourType=Bus",{"label":63,"url":64},"Field Trips","/events-programs/schools-and-teachers/field-trips",{"label":66,"url":67},"Group & Private Tours","/city-tours/group-and-private-tours",{"label":69,"url":70},"Accessibility & Safety","/city-tours/accessibility-and-safety",{"label":72,"mobileLabel":72,"url":73,"priority":51,"subitems":74},"Visit the Center","/visit-the-center",[75,78,81,84,87],{"label":76,"url":77},"Exhibitions","/visit-the-center/exhibitions",{"label":79,"url":80},"Events & Programs","/events-programs",{"label":82,"url":83},"Buy Center Tickets","/visit-the-center/buy-center-tickets",{"label":85,"url":86},"Design Store","https://shop.architecture.org",{"label":88,"url":89},"Venue Rental","/visit-the-center/venue-rental/",{"label":79,"mobileLabel":79,"url":80,"priority":51,"subitems":91},[92,95,98,101,104],{"label":93,"url":94},"General Public","/events-programs?category=General+Public#",{"label":96,"url":97},"Schools & Teachers","/events-programs?category=Schools+%2B+Teachers#",{"label":99,"url":100},"Youth & Family","/events-programs?category=Youth+%2B+Family#top",{"label":102,"url":103},"Civic & Industry","/civic-industry",{"label":105,"url":106},"Open House Chicago","https://openhousechicago.org",{"label":108,"mobileLabel":108,"url":109,"priority":51,"subitems":110},"Online Resources","/online-resources",[111,114,117,120,123,126,129],{"label":112,"url":113},"Buildings of Chicago","/buildings-of-chicago",{"label":115,"url":116},"Architecture Encyclopedia","/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia",{"label":118,"url":119},"CAC Watch List","/online-resources/cac-watch-list",{"label":121,"url":122},"Exhibition Archives","/online-resources/archived-exhibitions",{"label":124,"url":125},"City Planning Resources","/online-resources/chicago-city-planning-resources",{"label":127,"url":128},"Educator Resources","/online-resources/educator-resources",{"label":130,"url":131},"Stories of Chicago ","/online-resources/stories-of-chicago",{"label":133,"mobileLabel":133,"url":134,"priority":51,"subitems":135},"Join & Give","/join-and-support",[136,139,142,145,148],{"label":137,"url":138},"Become a Member","/join-and-support/membership",{"label":140,"url":141},"Individual Giving","/join-and-support/individual",{"label":143,"url":144},"Corporate Giving","/join-and-support/business",{"label":146,"url":147},"Volunteer","/join-and-support/volunteer",{"label":25,"url":26},{"label":150,"mobileLabel":151,"url":152,"priority":51,"subitems":153},"About","About CAC","/about",[154,157,160,163,166,169,172],{"label":155,"url":156},"Our History","/about/our-history",{"label":158,"url":159},"Our Team","/about/our-team",{"label":161,"url":162},"In the News","/in-the-news",{"label":164,"url":165},"Careers","/about/careers",{"label":167,"url":168},"Land Acknowledgement","/about/land-acknowledgment",{"label":170,"url":171},"Media Kit","/about/media-kit",{"label":173,"url":174},"Contact Us","/contact-us",{"label":176,"mobileLabel":176,"url":177,"priority":51,"subitems":178},"FAQS","/faq",[179,182,185,188,191],{"label":180,"url":181},"Boat Tour FAQ","/faq/cac-river-cruise",{"label":183,"url":184},"Walking & Bus Tour FAQ","/faq/walking-and-bus-tours",{"label":186,"url":187},"Group & Private Tour FAQ","/faq/group-and-private-tours",{"label":189,"url":190},"Membership FAQ","/faq/membership/",{"label":192,"url":193},"Open House FAQ","/faq/open-house-chicago",{"additionalPhones":195,"address":211,"email":212,"phoneNumber":200,"riverCruiseAddress":213,"siteName":214},[196,199,202,205,208],{"phone":197,"title":198},"10 AM - 4 PM","Call center hours",{"phone":200,"title":201},"312.922.3432","General Inquiries",{"phone":203,"title":204},"312.922.TOUR (8687)","Tickets",{"phone":206,"title":207},"312.922.8687","Membership",{"phone":209,"title":210},"312.322.1130","Group Sales","111 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60601","info@architecture.org","112 E. Wacker Drive, chicago, IL 60601","Chicago Architecture Center",{"alt":216,"logo":217,"menu":218},"Chicago Architecture Center's logo","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F841bd2738c0349caa783510d7a578560",[219,228,238,248,257,265,280],{"label":49,"mobileLabel":220,"url":50,"priority":14,"subitems":221},"All City Tours",[222,223,224,225,226,227],{"label":54,"url":55},{"label":57,"url":58},{"label":60,"url":61},{"label":63,"url":64},{"label":66,"url":67},{"label":69,"url":70},{"label":79,"mobileLabel":229,"url":80,"priority":14,"subitems":230},"All Events & Programs",[231,233,235,237],{"label":93,"url":232},"/events-programs?category=General+Public",{"label":96,"url":234},"/events-programs?category=Schools%2520%252B%2520Teachers",{"label":99,"url":236},"/events-programs?category=Youth+%2B+Family",{"label":102,"url":103},{"label":239,"mobileLabel":240,"url":73,"priority":14,"subitems":241},"Visit","Center Information",[242,243,245,247],{"label":76,"url":77},{"label":79,"url":244},"/events-programs/",{"label":246,"url":86},"Shop the Design Store",{"label":88,"url":89},{"label":108,"mobileLabel":249,"url":109,"priority":14,"subitems":250},"All Online Resources",[251,253,254,255,256],{"label":112,"url":252},"/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago",{"label":115,"url":116},{"label":118,"url":119},{"label":124,"url":125},{"label":127,"url":128},{"label":133,"mobileLabel":258,"url":134,"priority":14,"subitems":259},"Ways to Join & Give",[260,261,262,263,264],{"label":137,"url":138},{"label":140,"url":141},{"label":143,"url":144},{"label":146,"url":147},{"label":25,"url":26},{"label":105,"mobileLabel":266,"url":267,"priority":51,"subitems":268},"Open House Chicago Homepage","/open-house-chicago/about",[269,271,274,277],{"label":270,"url":267},"About OHC",{"label":272,"url":273},"Photo Competition","/open-house-chicago/photo-competition-2025",{"label":275,"url":276},"OHC Volunteer","/open-house-chicago/volunteer",{"label":278,"url":279},"OHC Archived Sites","/open-house-chicago/archive",{"label":150,"mobileLabel":281,"url":152,"priority":51,"subitems":282},"About the CAC",[283,284,285,286,288,289],{"label":155,"url":156},{"label":158,"url":159},{"label":164,"url":165},{"label":287,"url":162},"In The News",{"label":170,"url":171},{"label":173,"url":174},{"message":291,"show":14,"title":292},"Please note that last entry to the Center will be an hour before closing time.\n\nThe Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. It closes early at 3pm on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.","Center and Holiday Hours",{"bottomLink":294,"cta":307,"iconLinks":317},{"left":295,"right":304},[296,298,300,301],{"label":297,"link":177},"FAQs",{"label":173,"link":299},"/about/contact-us",{"label":43,"link":44},{"label":302,"link":303},"Newsletter Sign-up","/subscribe",[305],{"label":306,"link":36},"Docent & Volunteer Portal",{"button":308,"description":312,"image":313,"title":316},{"label":309,"link":310,"title":311},"Get on board!","https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise","Go to river cruise landing page","Be ready for the first departure of the season on March 15!",{"alt":314,"src":315},"Grand tour boat with tourists seated and graphic of skyscrapers in background.","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F21a8b82c6c5d40ea9e0bd61e8f800948","Tickets on sale now!",[318,322,324],{"icon":319,"label":320,"link":321},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F53693c97fea141e5a6708ff86ff306bf","Calendar","/calendar",{"icon":323,"label":25,"link":26},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F090fb84be62342a69184791ea102a702",{"icon":325,"label":326,"link":86},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F6460da61a1db460588bd3549fdea03b8","Shop",{"commonResults":328,"defaultSearchLabel":344,"resultsLabel":345},[329,333,336,340],{"description":330,"model":331,"title":332,"url":177},"Find answers to your questions related to the CAC","webpage","Frequently Asked Questions",{"description":334,"model":331,"title":335,"url":73},"View center hours, location and other helpful info","Plan Your Visit",{"description":337,"model":338,"title":339,"url":55},"View boat departure times, location and more helpful details","tour","Book a River Cruise",{"description":341,"model":342,"title":343,"url":321},"From tours to educational programs, exhibitions and more, find something fun to do based on your available dates","calendar","CAC Calendar of Events","Common Search Results","Your Search Results",{"facebook":347,"instagram":348,"linkedin":349,"pinterest":350,"tiktok":351,"x":352,"youtube":353},"https://www.facebook.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.instagram.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-architecture-center/","https://www.pinterest.com/chiarchitecture/","https://www.tiktok.com/@chiarchitecture","https://twitter.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoArchitecture","Due to weather, all tours are cancelled and the Center will be closed January 16, 2024",{"accessibilityMessage":356,"buttonLabel":357,"selectTicketType":358},"\u003Cp>\n  To request accessibility accommodations, please\n  \u003Ca href=\"/about/contact-us\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">contact us\u003C/a>.\n\u003C/p>\n","Buy Tickets",{"label":359,"message":360},"Select ticket type","\u003Cp>\n  CAC members must login to access special ticket pricing. To purchase 10 or\n  more tickets, please visit&nbsp;\u003Ca\n    href=\"/city-tours/group-and-private-tours\">Group &amp; Private Tours\u003C/a\n  >.\n\u003C/p>\n",{"data":362},[],[],[365,399,420,431,437,442,449,464,478,495,513,532],{"label":366,"priceTypeIds":367,"title":384,"membershipDescriptions":385},"Dual Members and above",[368,370,372,374,376,378,380,382],{"id":369},175,{"id":371},176,{"id":373},189,{"id":375},190,{"id":377},191,{"id":379},198,{"id":381},244,{"id":383},245,"Dual Members and above -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 191, 198, 244, 245",[386,389,391,393,395,397],{"limit":387,"description":388},8,"Dual",{"description":390,"limit":387},"Family",{"description":392,"limit":387},"Deco",{"description":394,"limit":387},"Grand Deco",{"limit":387,"description":396},"Beaux Arts",{"description":398,"limit":387},"Grand Beaux Arts",{"title":400,"membershipDescriptions":401,"priceTypeIds":408,"label":419},"All Members -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 191, 192, 198, 244, 245",[402,403,404,405,406,407],{"limit":387,"description":388},{"description":390,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":392},{"limit":387,"description":394},{"description":396,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":398},[409,410,411,412,413,414,416,417,418],{"id":369},{"id":371},{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":377},{"id":415},192,{"id":379},{"id":381},{"id":383},"Members",{"title":421,"priceTypeIds":422,"label":424,"membershipDescriptions":425,"membershipDescription":429},"Individual Members -> 192",[423],{"id":415},"Individual Members",[426],{"limit":427,"description":428},1,"Individual",[430],{},{"priceTypeIds":432,"label":435,"title":436},[433],{"id":434},178,"Child","Child -> 178",{"priceTypeIds":438,"label":440,"title":441},[439],{"id":427},"Individual Ticket","Individual Ticket -> ID: 1",{"membershipDescriptions":443,"priceTypeIds":446,"label":445,"title":448},[444],{"description":445,"limit":387},"Burnham Society",[447],{"id":377},"Burnham Society -> ID: 191",{"membershipDescription":450,"title":452,"label":453,"membershipDescriptions":454,"priceTypeIds":460},[451],{},"Members -> 192, 244, 245","Basic Members",[455,456,458],{"description":428,"limit":427},{"limit":457,"description":388},2,{"limit":459,"description":390},4,[461,462,463],{"id":415},{"id":381},{"id":383},{"membershipDescriptions":465,"priceTypeIds":470,"label":476,"title":477},[466,467,468,469],{"limit":387,"description":392},{"limit":387,"description":394},{"limit":387,"description":396},{"limit":387,"description":398},[471,472,473,474,475],{"id":369},{"id":371},{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":377},"Deco Members and above","Deco Members and above -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 191",{"membershipDescriptions":479,"title":486,"priceTypeIds":487,"label":366},[480,481,482,483,484,485],{"limit":387,"description":388},{"description":390,"limit":387},{"description":392,"limit":387},{"description":394,"limit":387},{"description":396,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":398},"Dual Members and above -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 191, 244, 245",[488,489,490,491,492,493,494],{"id":369},{"id":371},{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":377},{"id":381},{"id":383},{"membershipDescriptions":496,"title":504,"label":419,"priceTypeIds":505},[497,498,499,500,501,502,503],{"limit":387,"description":428},{"limit":387,"description":388},{"description":390,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":392},{"limit":387,"description":394},{"description":396,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":398},"All Members -> 189, 190, 191, 192, 198, 244, 245",[506,507,508,509,510,511,512],{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":377},{"id":415},{"id":379},{"id":381},{"id":383},{"membershipDescriptions":514,"label":419,"title":522,"priceTypeIds":523},[515,516,517,518,519,520,521],{"limit":387,"description":388},{"description":390,"limit":387},{"description":392,"limit":387},{"limit":387,"description":394},{"description":396,"limit":387},{"description":398,"limit":387},{"description":428,"limit":387},"All Members -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 191, 192, 244, 245",[524,525,526,527,528,529,530,531],{"id":369},{"id":371},{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":377},{"id":415},{"id":381},{"id":383},{"priceTypeIds":533,"label":419,"title":542,"membershipDescriptions":543},[534,535,536,537,538,539,540,541],{"id":369},{"id":371},{"id":373},{"id":375},{"id":415},{"id":379},{"id":381},{"id":383},"All Members -> 175, 176, 189, 190, 192, 198, 244, 245",[544,545,546,547,548,549,550],{"limit":387,"description":388},{"limit":387,"description":390},{"limit":387,"description":392},{"description":394,"limit":387},{"description":396,"limit":387},{"description":398,"limit":387},{"description":428,"limit":387},{"/events-programs/engineering-fest/agenda27":552,"/events-programs/engineering-fest/agenda26":552,"/events-programs/princeton-cac-fellowship":552,"/events-programs/girls-build/gbd-agenda2025":552,"/events-programs/efest-2025/agenda":552,"/online-resources/chicago-city-planning-resources":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/resources-activities":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/discussion-questions":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/chapter-3":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/chapter-2":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/chapter-1":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit/getting-started":552,"/online-resources/educator-resources/no-small-plans/readers-toolkit":552,"/events-programs/about-girls-build":552,"/events-programs/girls-build-day-2024/agenda":552,"/about/our-team/leadership-team/*":553,"/about/our-team":552,"/about/our-team/board-of-trustees":552,"/city-tours/concierge-information":552,"/city-tours/accessibility-and-safety":552,"/city-tours/field-trips":552,"/city-tours/group-and-private-tours":552,"/events-programs/schools-and-teachers/field-trips":552},"page","team-members",{"lastUpdatedBy":555,"folders":556,"previewUrl":557,"data":558,"modelId":744,"query":745,"published":747,"screenshot":748,"firstPublished":749,"testRatio":427,"lastUpdated":750,"createdDate":751,"createdBy":752,"meta":753,"variations":756,"name":572,"@originModelId":757,"id":758,"rev":759},"f08ykxmUMNUy3ElK6MR7xixtIYJ2",[],"https://staging.architecture.org/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/merchandise-mart",{"googleMapLink":559,"forceUpdatedURLOn":560,"query":561,"architect":567,"description":569,"useType":570,"title":572,"officialName":572,"url":565,"buildingName":572,"environment":27,"originalCompletionDate":573,"streetAddress":574,"style":575,"neighborhood":577,"state":578,"imageList":586,"blocks":595},"https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PCqCf4F2o5Yf1pbA","2024-08-08T22:12:54.839Z",[562],{"@type":563,"property":564,"value":565,"operator":566},"@builder.io/core:Query","urlPath","/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/merchandise-mart","is",[568],"Graham, Anderson, Probst & White","\u003Cp>The Merchandise Mart, situated on the Chicago River, occupies more than&nbsp;4 million square feet (approximately 372,000 square meters) on a lot the size of two and a half city blocks. \u003C/p>",[571],"Commercial Office","Merchandise Mart","1930","222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza",[576],"Art Deco","Near North Side",{"deviceSize":579,"location":580},"large",{"pathname":565,"path":581,"query":585},[582,583,584],"online-resources","buildings-of-chicago","merchandise-mart",{},[587,590,593],{"src":588,"alt":572,"source":589},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F85c79b266db846edac2ba6c8f2876ea1","",{"src":591,"alt":572,"caption":592},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F1a3900bb4e7e4e8b959e54294653915f","Photo by Jaysin Trevino, licensed under CC BY 2.0.",{"src":594,"alt":572},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2Ffba6c21bcf1a4c209e08cf9bb3c831d8",[596,732],{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":598,"meta":599,"children":601,"responsiveStyles":730},"@builder.io/sdk:Element","builder-f185a0304f5d4a46a0755e5ba1ba5d8e",{"previousId":600},"builder-a0957490266a4b9aaaf9d3242ccbabe2",[602,618,646,663,691,703,712,721],{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":603,"meta":604,"component":606,"responsiveStyles":611},"builder-4042c0d761bc49df9e6e808f88215225",{"previousId":605},"builder-1c56ce935c3d4d2eb364ed5163d50e10",{"name":607,"options":608},"Text",{"text":609,"padding":610},"\u003Cp>Upon completion in 1930, the Merchandise Mart was the largest building in the world and served as Marshall Field’s wholesale warehouse, where retailers could buy stock.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>ANOTHER CHICAGO EXAMPLE OF ART DECO\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>Designed by Alfred P. Shaw for the architecture firm Graham, Anderson, Probst &amp; White, the Merchandise Mart is one of many&nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/art-deco/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Art Deco\u003C/a>&nbsp;buildings in Chicago that reflect the optimism of the 1920s. The steel-framed structure is clad in&nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/limestone/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">limestone\u003C/a>,&nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/terra-cotta/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">terra cotta\u003C/a>&nbsp;and bronze, and its ornamentation displays many of the style’s popular motifs. The recessed vertical windows with dark&nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/spandrel/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">spandrels\u003C/a>&nbsp;emphasize the building’s verticality and balance out its horizontal mass. Rows of decorative chevrons (zigzags) and octagonal towers at each corner of the building are common motifs used during the Art Deco era.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE MART\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The Merchandise Mart began as a wholesale warehouse store for Marshall Field that included rental space for other wholesalers. The idea was to unite the sales of furniture, fabric and other decorative materials under one roof. However, it wasn’t the financial success investors expected. The Great Depression forced Field &amp; Company out of the wholesale market. In 1945, the building was sold to a group headed by Joseph P. Kennedy for about a third of its original cost.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Kennedy family held onto the property for more than&nbsp;three decades and sold the building in 1998 to Vornado Realty Trust. Soon thereafter,&nbsp;the building received&nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/news/topic/retrofitting-buildings/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">retrofits\u003C/a>&nbsp;to implement energy efficiency measures and to integrate real -time data into its operations. Although it’s still a designer showcase venue today, more than one quarter of the building is leased by tech companies including Motorola Mobility and tech startup incubator 1871.\u003C/p>","half",{"large":612},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},"flex","column","relative","0","border-box",{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":619,"meta":620,"component":622,"responsiveStyles":644},"builder-fe900c7afa764990af59ff0ba78b51ff",{"previousId":621},"builder-01e9a86a8d1742eb9329f186292b754d",{"name":623,"options":624},"Fact Carousel",{"factList":625},[626,632,635,638,641],{"body":627,"title":628,"icon":629},"\u003Cp>In 1953, Joseph Kennedy commissioned the “Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame,” consisting of eight bronze busts atop tall pillars. The busts represent neither royalty nor presidents, but America’s foremost merchants.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>","Did you know?",{"src":630,"alt":631},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F6eb8f64ac9e149c9869e201bde237839","Icon of two buildings. One in red and one is taller.",{"body":633,"title":628,"icon":634},"\u003Cp>The Merchandise Mart  earned a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.\u003C/p>",{"src":630,"alt":631},{"body":636,"title":628,"icon":637},"\u003Cp>The Merchandise Mart was one of the first buildings in the city to be built over railway air rights.\u003C/p>",{"src":630,"alt":631},{"body":639,"title":628,"icon":640},"\u003Cp>The Merchandise Mart was built above tunnels that moved ashes to the lakefront where they were used as fill at the Grant Park and Burnham Park landfills.\u003C/p>",{"src":630,"alt":631},{"body":642,"title":628,"icon":643},"\u003Cp>The Mercandise Mart site was originally a Native American trading post.\u003C/p>",{"src":630,"alt":631},{"large":645},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":647,"meta":648,"component":650,"responsiveStyles":661},"builder-fffb022f59584164aeb96dc1534263bf",{"previousId":649},"builder-7416b59d8820499193fe1931bf6b7e96",{"name":651,"options":652},"Testimonials Carousel",{"headline":653,"testimonials":654},"Docent perspective",[655],{"quote":656,"attribution":657,"title":658,"image":659},"Named a Gold LEED certified building after 85 years of existence, and now a center of cutting-edge tech innovation for Chicago, the Merchandise Mart hosts incubator space for tech start-ups and is home to thousands of square feet for Motorola, one of the original tech pioneers.","Dave Utech","CAC Docent, Class of 2003",{"alt":657,"src":660},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2Fc836943c5f694c13bf5386d68d9c7f00",{"large":662},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"layerName":664,"id":665,"meta":666,"component":668,"responsiveStyles":689},"Encyclopedia Callout","builder-5f16d2a23b0b4b7eacb14b062ff9a1e0",{"previousId":667},"builder-5345e8d5e02e40268f50ff3a2066f980",{"name":664,"options":669},{"automaticallyFetchArticles":51,"manualArticlesList":670,"headline":684,"button":685,"copy":688},[671,675,678,681],{"encyclopediaArticle":672},{"@type":19,"id":673,"model":674},"c9f0363b8d165c10b46c2c397aebeff5483d8222e3ae92c87775181d96b8a880","architecture-encyclopedia-articles",{"encyclopediaArticle":676},{"@type":19,"id":677,"model":674},"b9c635876977fa1c765e30f29be1673c298dd0e79847f39a4e1c97787bf4ee0d",{"encyclopediaArticle":679},{"@type":19,"id":680,"model":674},"6e58bb08c2f45c06fa4974d01bd3bb20c2162f2f45ba4314b3d26573c09c8b24",{"encyclopediaArticle":682},{"@type":19,"id":683,"model":674},"fce6f1dfeae246ccb0982e6e78ab178e69e5a6d936f991098693e9a76f51a565","Architecture encyclopedia references for this building",{"label":686,"title":686,"url":687},"See full encyclopedia","/architecture-encyclopedia","\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>",{"large":690},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":692,"component":693,"responsiveStyles":701},"builder-9cfcb18c41e849999b275f8c2627faed",{"name":694,"options":695},"Symbol",{"symbol":696},{"data":697,"model":698,"entry":699,"ownerId":700},{},"symbol","38b31f6ce3e244bd92e69083c5cb340d","e61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1",{"large":702},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":704,"component":705,"responsiveStyles":710},"builder-26bf1c714dfd4de8afd404fb68f433ab",{"name":694,"options":706},{"symbol":707},{"data":708,"model":698,"entry":709,"ownerId":700},{},"e321e55f9c504496bb5d077d1027f2d7",{"large":711},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":713,"component":714,"responsiveStyles":719},"builder-8cef2ce17b3849c193c9cff47eb6f9ac",{"name":694,"options":715},{"symbol":716},{"model":698,"entry":717,"ownerId":700,"data":718},"271ab26f6707fb66b6e185940510b49c2ba705a9cdab745c0341202859834135",{},{"large":720},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"@type":597,"@version":457,"id":722,"component":723,"responsiveStyles":728},"builder-b52509d357564dffa1d48029f6a41dc2",{"name":694,"options":724},{"symbol":725},{"model":698,"entry":726,"ownerId":700,"data":727},"ed372956eb6e42b8bbdcae73607e0be4",{},{"large":729},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"large":731},{"display":613,"flexDirection":614,"position":615,"flexShrink":616,"boxSizing":617},{"id":733,"@type":597,"tagName":734,"properties":735,"responsiveStyles":739},"builder-pixel-8dapoe2ixhe","img",{"src":736,"aria-hidden":737,"alt":589,"role":738,"width":616,"height":616},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/pixel?apiKey=e61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1","true","presentation",{"large":740},{"height":616,"width":616,"display":741,"opacity":616,"overflow":742,"pointerEvents":743},"block","hidden","none","dd95aa877133b84cce88167a62e8923e96449f8cca34c903536561c6b4b10355",[746],{"@type":563,"property":564,"value":565,"operator":566},"published","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F946391d89afa48f1b6b8fda1497661ee",1716480053819,1723221770174,1716479057478,"9UZTQKHnWjeK0eNHYuv3D5X3zRN2",{"kind":552,"lastPreviewUrl":754,"hasLinks":51,"symbolsUsed":755},"https://staging.architecture.org/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/merchandise-mart?builder.space=e61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1&builder.user.permissions=read%2Ccreate%2Cpublish%2CeditCode%2CeditDesigns%2Cadmin%2CeditLayouts%2CeditLayers&builder.user.role.name=Admin&builder.user.role.id=admin&builder.cachebust=true&builder.preview=buildings&builder.noCache=true&builder.allowTextEdit=true&__builder_editing__=true&builder.overrides.buildings=912a817b81ac41ccc18411fa397fa9da5c0a72cfd1842987ea5c6d271551ee5e&builder.overrides.912a817b81ac41ccc18411fa397fa9da5c0a72cfd1842987ea5c6d271551ee5e=912a817b81ac41ccc18411fa397fa9da5c0a72cfd1842987ea5c6d271551ee5e&builder.options.locale=Default",{"38b31f6ce3e244bd92e69083c5cb340d":14,"ed372956eb6e42b8bbdcae73607e0be4":14,"271ab26f6707fb66b6e185940510b49c2ba705a9cdab745c0341202859834135":14,"e321e55f9c504496bb5d077d1027f2d7":14},{},"9b568dcd19dc4d56b032da8e6df9fd71","912a817b81ac41ccc18411fa397fa9da5c0a72cfd1842987ea5c6d271551ee5e","gyk3ommr2m",[761,776,785],{"id":673,"name":576,"data":762},{"title":576,"imageList":763,"category":774,"url":775},[764,767,769,772],{"src":765,"caption":766},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2Ff78b99eb314f43f08fead32b7b9ee88f","Chicago Board of Trade, photo by Eric Allix Rogers",{"src":768,"caption":766},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F1bd1bd8f3050491580cf1f06a4527658",{"src":770,"caption":771},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F8b660a7e5cee4f29b3afedc4412cb5da","Carbide and Carbon Building",{"src":773,"caption":572},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F534ebdd950da42aa8cea47ca0f061cc5","Style","/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/art-deco",{"id":677,"name":777,"data":778},"Limestone",{"title":777,"imageList":779,"category":783,"url":784},[780],{"caption":781,"src":782},"Holy Name Cathedral","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2Fb3b7180039184330bf969ea7fe7c5f50","Term","/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/limestone",{"id":680,"name":786,"data":787},"Spandrel",{"title":786,"imageList":788,"category":783,"url":794},[789,792],{"src":790,"caption":791},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F2d6af6bdfcbd4b1ba0a449022cb0e34f","Marquette Building",{"src":793,"caption":791},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F49af4dfb0fbc43d58bf8ce407e839d74%2F69f5509b465d477b8d55dde1004fde37","/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/spandrel"]