Furniture maker Herman Miller leaving the Mart to anchor new Fulton Market project

After eight decades of calling Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart home, furniture company Herman Miller is moving its showroom to the Fulton Market District, it announced at last week’s NeoCon convention. It will take over a yet-to-be-completed development slated for 1100 W. Fulton Market, reported Interior Design Magazine.

The design company will occupy all 45,000 square feet in the upcoming complex which includes an existing two-story brick building and a new five-story structure next door. The space will open later next year and Herman Miller’s current showroom will remain open through 2019, according to Crain’s.

The 1100 W. Fulton project comes from developer Fulton St. Companies (formerly known as Base Capital Group) and Chicago design firm Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. The duo are also teaming up on an upcoming 12-story hotel and office project across the street at 1033 W. Fulton, according to the Real Deal.

Herman Miller’s decision to leave the Mart for the Fulton Market District comes after furniture maker Knoll departed its longtime showroom in the River North building for the trendy West Loop neighborhood. Knoll’s showroom at 811 W. Fulton Market is located above The Wing coworking space.

As the Fulton Market corridor evolves into one of Chicago’s hottest retail areas, pedestrian infrastructure improvements are rushing to keep pace. The second phase of the city’s streetscape project is busy adding new sidewalks, landscaping, benches, bike racks, lighting, and ADA-compliant ramps.