News release

Vornado Realty Trust taps JLL’s experience management services for transformation of Chicago best-in-class commercial building

THE MART’S WorkLife amenity program expands to include a 21,000-square-foot conference center, which further supports Vornado’s efforts to promote the future of the workplace

August 09, 2023

Kristen Murphy

Capital Markets, Hotels & Hospitality and Value & Risk Advisory PR
+1 617 848 1572

CHICAGO, Aug. 9, 2023 – JLL’s Property Management group announced that its Experience Management team was selected to provide services for THE MART, the largest privately-held commercial building in the United States, which has undergone a recent transformation promoting an integrated approach to work, life and wellness.

Owned and operated by Vornado Realty Trust and designed in conjunction with Gensler, THE MART opened their new suite of world-class tenant amenities in June of 2023. JLL’s Experience Management team was appointed to manage WorkLife Meetings at THE MART. Powered by JLL, WorkLife Meetings is a 21,000-square-foot conference center and workspace with conference and meeting rooms, lounge areas, flexible programming space and a private café. Features include a dedicated event coordination team, hospitality-focused check-in process, built-in phone booths for private calls, an exclusive catering partner, in-room AV controls, wired audio and video connectivity and high-speed wireless internet.

The transformation of THE MART follows Vornado’s successful transformation of PENN 1 in New York’s PENN DISTRICT. PENN 1 is one of the most noteworthy recent redevelopments in Manhattan and was the first Vornado property to feature WorkLife, an amenity ecosystem that blends tenants needs for work and self-care. Adjacent to PENN 1 and Madison Square Garden, PENN 2 is slated to open later this year with additional WorkLife amenities, which are open to all tenants across Vornado’s connected campus. The space will sit directly on top of Penn Station, the leading business transportation hub in North America.

“We approached THE MART’s latest transformation with an integrated approach to work and life in mind. Our most recent upgrades include one of the largest conference centers in Downtown Chicago and flexible workspaces configured for innovation. We are excited to work with JLL’s Property Management group to activate and accelerate our WorkLife amenity program in Chicago,” said Paul Heinen, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, THE MART.

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with Vornado Realty Trust in their efforts to transform the future of the workplace,” added Meghan Rooney, Senior Vice President of Operations for JLL Experience Management. “WorkLife Meetings at the MART is a phenomenal space that will positively shape the tenant experience at the center for years to come."

“It is incredible to work with visionary investors like Vornado Realty Trust and to deliver the most recent location for WorkLife Meetings,” said Tyler Kethcart, Senior Vice President of Business Development for JLL Experience Management.

JLL’s 4,100 property management experts in the U.S. provide comprehensive real estate services in more than 4,000 buildings totaling over 800 million square feet.

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About JLL

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with annual revenue of $20.8 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 106,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

About THE MART

THE MART is the largest privately held commercial building in the United States: it encompasses 4.2 million gross square feet, spans two city blocks, rises 25 stories, and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day (or nearly 10 million people annually). THE MART serves as the home to Chicago's most creative and technologically innovative companies, including Motorola Mobility, 1871, PayPal, and MATTER, as well as Fortune 500 companies Conagra Brands, Allstate, Medline Industries, Beam Suntory, Avant, and Grainger. It is also the largest and most important center for design in North America with more than 250 premier design showrooms offering the latest resources for both residential and commercial markets. themart.com

About Vornado Realty Trust

Vornado Realty Trust is the preeminent owner, manager, and developer of Office and Retail assets. Vornado's portfolio is concentrated in the nation's key market, New York City, along with premier assets in both Chicago and San Francisco. Vornado is also the real estate industry leader in sustainability. The Company owns and manages over 26 million square feet of LEED certified buildings. vno.com