This month’s #ShowOnTheRoadMG is a special one. Our showroom in Chicago is the first exclusive Moore & Giles showroom. Located on the 14th floor of the Merchandise Mart overlooking the Chicago River, the new showroom houses our extensive collection of leathers.
The Merchandise Mart is one of Chicago’s most iconic buildings. Opening its doors in 1930 it was, at that time, the largest building in the world, and to this day remains the largest commercial building in the world. At 4,000,000 square feet, the colossal structure dominates major real estate in the downtown Loop. According to theMart, “An average of 25,000 people each business day; in total, nearly 10 million people visit theMART each year. It attracts thousands of affluent consumers to its luxury kitchen and bath, home furnishings and outdoor furnishings showrooms each year, and is home to 15 major trade and consumer shows and hundreds of meetings and special events.”
Not only is theMart home to hundreds of showrooms, it is also a hub of innovation and creativity. There are many tech companies and well-known start-ups that call this building home. TheMART was awarded LEED Silver Certification in 2007 and LEED Gold Certification in 2013. According to LEED, “LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As an added bonus, they save money.” Click here to take a virtual tour of the building.
Moore & Giles is thrilled to be a part of this community and we look forward to meeting everyone that comes through the doors of Suite 1424-A.
We sat down with showroom manager, Megan Musgrave, to discuss this exciting venture for Moore & Giles.
MG: Tell us about theMART and who it serves.
MM: Primarily theMART serves those involved in all facets of design. Specifically, on our floor (14), the main customer is involved in high-end residential design. We cater mostly to designers looking to complete projects for clients. theMART is a major resource for designers thanks to the number of showrooms located in the building. We serve a lot of the Chicago area, but theMART serves the Midwest as a whole.
MG: How do people navigate theMART?
MM: The building is broken down floor by floor to help narrow one’s search. For example, floor 14 (our floor) is residential – a lot of furniture, etc.. Other floors have showrooms that are specifically for fabrics. The 3rd, 10th and 11th focus on contract furnishings.
MG: Since our opening, have any leathers stood out more than others to designers?
MM: A lot of people are drawn to the distressed leathers. Ragtime catches a lot of attention – designers love the look and feel. Hair-on-hides are popular – Catalina and Serengeti.
MG: What is it about leather that you love?
MM: It’s the smell, it’s the feel, it’s the natural characteristics – all of these things draw me in. It’s the ultimate ‘fabric’ and there are just so many applications for it.
MG: What’s your favorite spot in Chicago that you’ve seen our leather used?
MM: Chicago Athletic Association – From the hotel lobby to the game room to the bars and restaurants on-site, you’ll find Moore & Giles leather everywhere.
While we were in the city, we checked out some Chicago hotspots that we recommend you visit while you’re in town:
Donut Vault
Located right across the street from theMart, the Donut Vault is a hidden treasure [bakery] that serves up arguably the best donut you will ever eat. The quaint artisanal donut shop can hold no more than 10 people, but it has plenty of outdoor seating. Get there early, there will most likely be a line — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Cindy’s Rooftop
Located on the roof of the Chicago Athletic Association [a former upscale men’s club turned chic hotel], Cindy’s offers stunning panoramic views of Chicago and an impressive food and beverage program.
Parson’s
Slightly outside of the downtown core – in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood – you’ll find Parson’s Chicken & Fish. According to the restaurant, they “enthusiastically celebrate and embrace drinking, eating, and general good times”, and we have to agree. The laid-back atmosphere is the perfect spot to relax and unwind, or even challenge someone to a game of ping-pong. Their extensive cocktail menu is full of no-fail options, but we highly recommend the frozen Negroni.
