200 World Trade Center (bounded on the south by West Wacker Drive, on the west by North Orleans Street, on the north by West Kinzie Street, and on the east by North Wells Street)
312- 527-7555
Web Site: http://www.merchandisemart.com

The two most frequently-asked questions about the building that spans two entire city blocks in Chicago are -- what is that huge structure and what is its relation to the Kennedy clan?

Encompassing 4.2 million square feet and welcoming more than 3 million visitors annually, the Merchandise Mart is the world's largest commercial building, the largest wholesale design center, and one of Chicago's premier international business locations. It includes the world's oldest and largest design center with over 130 high-end residential showrooms featuring 2,000 lines of furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, and accessories covering 730,000 square feet.

And what about the Mart's Kennedy connection? In 1945, Joseph P. Kennedy purchased the Mart from Marshall Field & Company. Having been completed 14 years earlier, the Mart fulfilled Marshall Field's dream to create a single, wholesale center for the entire nation. The Mart continued to be owned and managed by the Kennedy family interests for over 50 years. In 1998, Vornado Realty Trust, a leading real estate investment trust, acquired Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. and the buildings that it manages.

Because much of the Merchandise Mart is open only to designers and their clients, tours are the primary way that the public gets to see several of the Mart's showrooms. Public tours are 90 minutes in length, are conducted at noon weekdays throughout the year, and depart from the Mart's south lobby. With advance registration, the standard tour can be combined with
one of five special presentations: decorating discussion; morning at the Mart; luncheon lecture; afternoon tea at the Mart; or a personal escort
through five different showrooms conducted by a professional guide who also will give a brief history of the Mart.

For reservations and details on specific programs and topics, call (312) 644-4664, or use the red hotline telephone in the Mart's south lobby.

Floor 13 at the Mart, or the Chicago Kitchen & Bath Center, also is open to the public and trade professionals Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm,
featuring the nation's largest selection of high-performance, high-end kitchen, bath, and building products showrooms to assist with building or remodeling projects.

The Kitchen & Bath Center also sponsors events and seminars throughout the year, which also are open to consumers and interior designers. For further
information, visit Floor 13's own web site: www.kitchenbathcenter.com.

While waiting for a tour to begin or just after completing one, take a stroll around the Photo Gallery on the first and second floors which depict much of the building's history. The first two floors also have retail shops because touring the Mart probably will put you in the buying mood!