Overlooking the Chicago River in downtown, the Merchandise Mart spreads across 4.2 million square feet (nearly two city blocks) and rises 25 levels into the sky. On any given day, this wholesale design center gets some 10 million visitors a year who shop and browse the retail stores and lifestyle showrooms. The Mart, which in 2007 became the world's biggest LEED-ED certified building, also attracts several big name trade shows and is used for special events.
