The Evolution of an Icon: Creating a New Experience at THE MART

Guest blog

The Evolution of an Icon: Creating a New Experience at THE MART

May 03, 2022 by Todd Heiser, Managing Director and Principal, Gensler and Lily Diego, Design Director, Gensler

As workers return to offices, shoppers and designers revisit their favorite showrooms, and industry events once again draw attendees from across the country and beyond, THE MART, an icon in Chicago’s history since the 1930s and home to NeoCon, is creating a new experience for all who enter. The vision embraces the desire for increased hospitality-driven environments within the building, providing balance and well-being to tenants and visitors in our new understanding of work and life.

Re-emerging from the pandemic with new perspective and a reinvigorated focus on what will best serve the many visitors that filter through the 4 million square foot historic Art Deco building each day, THE MART has partnered with Gensler to imagine a vibrant, dynamic future for its tenant amenities and public spaces. Work will begin in the Summer of 2022 with completion by NeoCon 2023.

The Vision: Connection + Intersection
THE MART is a creative center and hub of design, and the changes being implemented represent an amalgam of genres coexisting in a balanced and eclectic landscape. The new design aims to marry the building’s legacy with a sense of modernity, respecting the past while addressing the shifting expectations of tenants and the broader design community. The 2.0 vision connects building design to a lifestyle-centered environment, enhancing the overall experience of THE MART’s newly invigorated and highly amenitized offerings.

The Plan: A Design Destination
The design incorporates a series of first and second-floor environments crafted with the intent of driving a strong visitor experience and reinforcing THE MART’s role as a true global design destination. The team is envisioning a variety of new and updated spaces, focusing on enhanced lifestyle amenities including:

· Opening up the northeast entry of the building for added permeability, a sense of welcoming, and enhanced points of engagement

· Reimagining the 2^nd floor to maximize connection and a balanced lifestyle, including creating a new tenant fitness center, hospitality-driven conference center, and design-forward lounge

· Refreshing the south plaza and lobby arrival experience to draw visitors in and through the building

The Materiality: Integrating Old and New
Gensler has embraced colors, materials, and finishes that seamlessly blend the history of the building with fresh elements reflective of today’s design-forward styles. The connected design language builds upon the building’s historic Art Deco foundation, highlighting detailed decorative and ornate geometries while introducing complementary materials and reimagined finishes with modern applications. This balanced intersection – what the team has dubbed “modern legacy” – showcases THE MART as the epicenter of design: yesterday, today, and into the future.

More details on the research, vision, and planning behind the building’s transformation will be covered in our June 14, 2pm CT, presentation during NeoCon. We will explore THE MART’s evolution as it takes on a new relevance to best serve the design and business communities of Chicago and beyond.

About the authors

Todd Heiser is a Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Chicago office. His leadership showcases more than 20 years of experience in next-generation design at the cutting edge of workplace strategies, and his commitment to conceptual and technical development transforms spaces for clients around the globe. Todd’s design process champions partnership with his clients, which include Matter, Google, Kohler, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Le Meridien Hotels, and Nickelodeon. He is also a major design voice in reimagining Chicago’s Willis Tower. Todd’s architectural background and visceral, experience-based interiors integrate materials, planning, and client-focused detailing. Todd was named Contract magazine’s 2016 Designer of the Year and Interior Design magazine’s 2015 HiP Leader for Workplace. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture and a bachelor’s degree in interior design. He also received the Henry Adams Medal from the AIA.

Lily Diego is a Design Director and Regional Office Buildings: Repositioning and Landlord Services Leader in Gensler’s Detroit office. Lily brings over 25 years of experience directing design for projects spanning workplace, community, and office building repositioning and development. Her creative curiosity is fueled by the evolution of the user, uncovering innovative and adaptive future-forward ways of experiencing space and place. Lily’s tenacity and dedication to excellence has earned her the trust and respect of her community and clients, including automotive consumer goods, emerging technology and professional services companies, and developers such as Ford, Volkswagen, and Olympia Development, among others.