Merchandise Mart announces plans to revamp 12th floor

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. and The Chicago Market: Living and Giving will expand exhibition options and showroom space in the Merchandise Mart by redeveloping the 12th floor in time for the January 2009 market.

"Our goal is to be the resource for high-end, upscale retailers," said Joan Ulrich, MMPI senior vice president in a letter to showroom exhibitors. "To do so, we need adequate temporary facilities to present the high-end tier of product during market times."

The Mart plans to redevelop the 12th floor to include galleries that will cater to couture luxury exhibitors who seek temporary space, Ulrich said.

The galleries will have showroom-like settings with open storefronts and permanent walls. "The 12th floor represents the best place to do this," Ulrich said, "and we are now moving forward with plans to present resources to buyers within this new exhibition area during the January 2009 Market."

Current 12th floor exhibitors will move to showrooms on the other gift floors, she said.

The July edition of the show marked the debut of Market Square on the 15th floor. MMPI hosted a cocktail reception to celebrate the opening of the new permanent showrooms, and vendors hosted individual events in their showrooms to mark the occasion.

The show also hosted its Big Night in the front of the Merchandise Mart, with more than 1,000 people enjoying unusually cool summertime weather.