Kinzie station
| Company type | Chicago 'L' rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | December 5, 1930 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
Area served | Near North Side, Chicago |
| Products | Rapid transit services (Brown Line, Purple Line Express) |
Merchandise Mart is a stop on the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' system, situated in the Near North Side district at 350 North Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois (coordinates 320 north, 200 west). This elevated platform is constructed on a steel framework that is integrated within the Merchandise Mart building itself. The primary entrance is located on the building’s second floor, where turnstiles and a customer service booth are available.
There are two additional fare-card-only entrances without attendants, reachable by staircases from Wells Street just north of Kinzie Avenue. The station consists of two side platforms made from steel with wooden decking and protective canopies. Each platform accommodates trains up to eight cars long, which is the maximum train length used by the CTA. The southbound platform lies slightly below the entrance level and connects to the northbound side via an enclosed pedestrian bridge spanning over the tracks.
Merchandise Mart provides full accessibility through a sophisticated elevator system: one elevator connects the southbound platform to the bridge level, while a second elevator descends from the bridge down to the northbound platform.
Kinzie station
Kinzie was a former station on the Northwestern Elevated Railroad's North Side Main Line, located at the intersection of Kinzie Street and Wells Street in Chicago's Near North Side. It served passengers accessing the adjacent C&NW terminal known as Wells Street Station prior to the 1911 inauguration of the new C&NW terminal at what is now called Ogilvie Transportation Center.
The Kinzie station began operations on May 31, 1900, and ceased service in 1921 when it was replaced by the Grand station. Presently, Kinzie Street is served by trains on the Brown Line and Purple Line Express at Merchandise Mart station.
Merchandise Mart station
The existing Merchandise Mart station commenced service on December 5, 1930, undergoing reconstruction between 1987 and 1988. Up until 1963, it also accommodated interurban trains from the North Shore Line. The station primarily functions to serve the Merchandise Mart, recognized as one of the largest commercial buildings globally, along with nearby art galleries and dining establishments.
Service
Merchandise Mart is served by Brown Line trains, with Purple Line Express trains stopping during weekday peak periods. It was unique among Brown Line stations for not being renovated during the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project because its recent upgrade (1987–88) had already ensured accessibility features and capacity for eight-car trains.
Bus connections
- 37 Sedgwick (Weekdays only)
- 125 Water Tower Express (Weekday rush hours only)