The Mart

For Vornado’s Chicago landmark, The Mart, we were asked to create a film that would engage potential tenants and showcase the building’s transformation. As part of a major redevelopment, Vornado has shifted The Mart’s focus towards a more office-oriented space while preserving its role as a centre for creativity, commerce, and innovation.

The Mart has always been more than a building — it’s a city within a city, a place with its own zip code, where history meets the future. Our challenge was to capture that feeling — the energy, the evolution, and the human connections that make The Mart unique.

We took a documentary-style approach, letting the people who live and work at The Mart tell its story. Designers, entrepreneurs, and long-time tenants spoke about its sense of community, its constant evolution, and the creative exchanges that happen every day. This wasn’t about glossy marketing — it was about real voices, real stories, and the excitement of what’s next.

As The Mart undergoes redevelopment, everything is designed to embrace modern work life. It’s a prime office destination in Chicago, offering a dynamic workspace where ideas flow freely, from the grand first floor to the offices above. As one tenant put it, “People ask where my office is, and I just say: The Mart.”

At River Film, we specialise in creating real estate films that bring landmark developments to life. This project was a chance to showcase The Mart’s transformation, its vibrant business community, and its role as a leading commercial hub in Chicago.