Art Deco On The Grandest Scale: The Merch Mart

Sunsets in Chicago are undeniably beautiful, but the city’s nights offer something even more extraordinary. Projecting across 2.5 acres of riverfront, the iconic Merchandise Mart is home to the world’s largest permanent digital art projection. Showcasing local Chicago creatives and internationally renowned artists, ART on THE MART is nothing short of spectacular.

The Mart itself also has a rich history. The massive, two-block-long structure stands on land that was once a Native American trading post for the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa tribes, and at 2 blocks long is so large that until 2008 it had its own zip code (60654).

Keep reading to learn more about this quintessential Chicago landmark and discover the best viewing platforms for the famous lightshow. 

The Merch Mart: A Start and Stop History

Completed in 1930, the Mart was the largest building in the world at the time. Since then, it has undergone a long and challenging evolution. Early ambitions for the building were met with periods of operational difficulty due to economic downturns, resulting in a slow growth over the years. Over time, however, the Mart transformed into what it is today: a leading hub for design and technology, as well as a showcase for innovation with a LEED Gold certification for sustainability.

Designed by Alfred P. Shaw, the Mart was initially a wholesale warehouse for Marshall Field and other bulk companies selling to retailers. The vision was to offer furniture, fabric, and other decorative products under one roof. The Great Depression, though, changed everything. Markets crashed, the building became government offices during WWII, and eventually it was sold in 1945 to the Kennedy family. 

Joseph Kennedy later added eight white pedestals and bronze busts along the Chicago River. Known as the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame, these sculptures honor American merchants like Marshall Field, Frank Winfield Woolworth, and Aaron Montgomery Ward.

It wasn’t until the turn of the century that the Mart’s full potential was actualized. Bought by Vornado Realty Trust in 1998, the building was modernized and retrofitted for energy efficiency. Today, it serves as a designer showcase venue and home to numerous tech companies and startups. Expansive, dynamic, and a city within a city, the building is a wonderful maze to explore, including The Shops at the Mart, where you can find clothing, beauty services, specialty food and wine, and more.

Accessing the Mart is particularly easy thanks to its built-in CTA stop. The main entrance is also right along the Chicago River and leads directly into the ornate lobby and grand staircase. 

An Art Deco Destination

From its limestone, bronze, and terra-cotta facade to rows of decorative chevrons and dark spandrels, the Mart is a prime example of Chicago Art Deco architecture. A sophisticated style typically seen in luxury skyscrapers, the Mart is a unique commercial example of an elegant art form. 

Reflecting the optimism of the 1920s, strong vertical piers and recessed windows create both height and grandeur, drawing the eye upward and giving the building its sleek, streamlined appearance. Subtle setbacks at higher floors create a monumental yet elegant silhouette, a common Art Deco design. 

Decorative, geometric elements are included throughout the facade and interior, including angular zigzags, chevrons, and stepped forms in the entryways, windows, and lobby. Symmetry however is maintained throughout, achieved through repeated window bays and additional ornamentation. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by bronze and nickel accents, murals, and sunrise motifs, alongside polished marble floors and intricate metalwork. 

While many Art Deco buildings feature ornate roofs, the Mart’s is relatively unadorned. The design focuses on clean, simple lines and a symmetrical silhouette, making the decorative monumental facade stand out more. When the building first opened in 1930, the rooftop included 56 sculpted busts of Native American Chiefs, intended as a recognition of the land’s original use as a trading post. The sculptures, though, were inaccurate portrayals of the people who lived there, with disputed names and dated stereotypes. They were removed in 1961, and the locations of all but two remain a mystery. 

ART on THE MART

One of the world’s largest digital landmarks, ART on THE MART transforms the Mart into a 2.5-acre canvas. Founded in 2018, the spectacular light show uses cutting-edge video mapping technology to project free displays, created by both world-renowned artists and local Chicago creators. Visitors can take in the sights along Wacker Drive and the Riverwalk. 

A quintessential Chicago experience, ART on THE MART kicks off at sundown on Thursday through Saturday from April through December. Make sure to check out their website for specific dates and showtimes. 

Take In The Sights With First Lady

Discover the best views of the Mart and ART on THE MART with a Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady. Learn the city’s secrets from expert volunteer docents from the Chicago Architecture Center. Tickets are on sale now — book your cruise today!