Motorola Building in Chicago: Huge & Majestic

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, often mistakenly referred to as the "Motorola House." Opened in 1930, it was the largest building in the world at that time, boasting 4,000,000 square feet of floor space. Participants debated its architectural significance, with some viewing it as modern and clean, while others noted its age compared to newer structures. The conversation also touched on the historical context of buildings in the U.S. versus Europe.

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  • Understanding of architectural history, particularly of early 20th-century buildings.
  • Familiarity with Chicago's urban landscape and significant structures.
  • Knowledge of the Merchandise Mart's role in commercial real estate.
  • Awareness of the evolution of architectural styles over the last century.
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  • Research the architectural design and history of the Merchandise Mart.
  • Explore the impact of the Merchandise Mart on Chicago's commercial development.
  • Investigate the significance of early skyscrapers in American architecture.
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Architects, urban planners, historians, and anyone interested in the architectural evolution of commercial buildings in major cities.

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I see an old office building. Am I missing something? Is the awesome house behind it?
 
It's not the "Motorola House". It's Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
 
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I enhanced the photo. It sais "LUXE HOME".
 
Yes it does. And my cat's name is mittens.

Luxe Home is not a sign on the home of Mr. and Mrs. Luxe or Mr. and Mrs. Motorola. It's a store, and in this case a store in a building with lots of other stores, called - wait for it - the Merchandise Mart.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Yes it does. And my cat's name is mittens.

Luxe Home is not a sign on the home of Mr. and Mrs. Luxe or Mr. and Mrs. Motorola. It's a store, and in this case a store in a building with lots of other stores, called - wait for it - the Merchandise Mart.
I do not object. I just noticed it.
 
Last edited:
And like I said, my cat's name is Mittens.
 
The name "Merchandise Mart" is also on the building (on the side, I think - see photos in the link below). It's a commercial building, kind of like a mall.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandise_Mart

And regarding the OP's subject/inquiry
Grands said:
Look at how big is this structure, it's huge, I never seen something like this before, it seem the house of the King.

Don't you think it's awesome ?
I kind of agree, although nowdays there are a lot bigger buildings. But that one is kind of a classic one. Also
"When it opened in 1930, it was the largest building in the world, with 4,000,000 square feet (372,000 m2) of floor space."
(from the same link)
 
  • #10
Vanadium 50 said:
And like I said, my cat's name is Mittens.
But are you sure?
(jk ...) :smile:
 
  • #12
Vanadium 50 said:
And like I said, my cat's name is Mittens.

As an aside from this post, that's a really cute name for your cat! :biggrin: Are you willing to share photos of your cat here on PF, or is that too personal?
 
  • #13
Back on topic, it is a huge office/commercial space (reportedly one of the largest in the world), but the picture of the building itself doesn't look all that impressive (I suppose that shouldn't be surprising, given that the building was built in 1930 -- 88 years does leave its mark on a building).
 
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  • #14
StatGuy2000 said:
Back on topic, it is a huge office/commercial space (reportedly one of the largest in the world), but the picture of the building itself doesn't look all that impressive (I suppose that shouldn't be surprising, given that the building was built in 1930 -- 88 years does leave its mark on a building).
Do you mean that this building look old?

Maybe it's just me, but on my opinion look very modern, and is also very clean, it seems that there is someone that everyday cleans the place.

This is an example of old building https://www.coffeenews.it/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/tre-vechie-costruzioni-1.jpg.
 
  • #15
Grands said:
Do you mean that this building look old?

Maybe it's just me, but on my opinion look very modern, and is also very clean, it seems that there is someone that everyday cleans the place.

This is an example of old building https://www.coffeenews.it/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/tre-vechie-costruzioni-1.jpg.

Well, it looks old in comparison to buildings in the US, which is a fairly young country -- the US has only been an independent nation since 1783, although the declaration of independence took place in 1775, and I think the oldest buildings in the US dating back to the European colonial period only date back to the late 17th century. (There are structures and ruins from Native American civilizations that are many centuries old, though)

By contrast, you guys in Italy have buildings that date back more than a 1000 years!
 
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  • #16
StatGuy2000 said:
By contrast, you guys in Italy have buildings that date back more than a 1000 years!
Indeed! Consider my house built in 1920 is considered historic, but compared to Roman building, it's futuristic! :biggrin:
 
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  • #17
StatGuy2000 said:
Well, it looks old in comparison to buildings in the US, which is a fairly young country -- the US has only been an independent nation since 1783, although the declaration of independence took place in 1775, and I think the oldest buildings in the US dating back to the European colonial period only date back to the late 17th century. (There are structures and ruins from Native American civilizations that are many centuries old, though)

By contrast, you guys in Italy have buildings that date back more than a 1000 years!
There are also building older then 2000 years like the Marcellus Theatre https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...er_Rome.jpg/1200px-Marcellus_theater_Rome.jpg.

Anyway, maybe my opinion is influenced by the fact that most of the houses in Italy are very old, and everything like the Merchandising Mart look very modern for me.

You know, when you are surrounded all the time by so old building, you sometime feel the necessity to see something that looks new, and in this situation even an american building of 1930 can seem modern.
 
  • #18
A)
StatGuy2000 said:
Back on topic, it is a huge office/commercial space (reportedly one of the largest in the world), but the picture of the building itself doesn't look all that impressive (I suppose that shouldn't be surprising, given that the building was built in 1930 -- 88 years does leave its mark on a building).
See post #9

B)
StatGuy2000 said:
As an aside from this post, that's a really cute name for your cat! :biggrin: Are you willing to share photos of your cat here on PF, or is that too personal?
Cat's name being cute doesn't mean the cat is cute ...
 

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