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Remaking the Merchandise Mart

CHICAGO—The iconic building has a host of new tech tenants like Yelp and Motorola Mobility, and needs amenities that appeal to these workers.

By Brian J. Rogal | brianjrogal | Updated on June 17, 2016

chi-Grand-Stair-2 (2) The Grand Staircase now connects the first and second floors and makes the Mart’s entrance far more visually appealing.

CHICAGO—The city’s burgeoning tech scene has created a demand for office renovations that bring in both the modern amenities and visual appeal that young techies expect. Perhaps no building better illustrates the changes in the CBD’s office market than the Merchandise Mart. The massive structure along the river once provided a home to the city’s showroom tenants but now sits at the center of the tech world. And owner Vornado Realty Trust wanted nothing less than a reconstruction of several common areas. It brought in J.C. Anderson, Inc., a contractor that has completed multiple projects at the Mart over the past 15 years, and developed an expertise in handling delicate tasks at the building.

“Obviously, the Merchandise Mart is one of Chicago’s historic pieces of architecture,” William Burfeind, vice president of J.C. Anderson, Inc., tells GlobeSt.com. “And one of the challenges when you’re working with an iconic building is that the renovations have to be very respectful.”

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