Merchandise Mart
Monolithic mass of Chicago's Merchandise Mart, built across two entire city blocks in 1927-31 for Marshall Field Department Store. Designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White in what is often described as an Art Deco style. The central tower and the smaller octagonal corner towers have some deco detailing and the setbacks offer some visual relief but the overall effect remains brutish to my eyes. For ten years it was the largest building on earth (until the Pentagon took the title). More of a fact of life than a building to inspire affection.
Merchandise Mart
Monolithic mass of Chicago's Merchandise Mart, built across two entire city blocks in 1927-31 for Marshall Field Department Store. Designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White in what is often described as an Art Deco style. The central tower and the smaller octagonal corner towers have some deco detailing and the setbacks offer some visual relief but the overall effect remains brutish to my eyes. For ten years it was the largest building on earth (until the Pentagon took the title). More of a fact of life than a building to inspire affection.