Smartmaping | UK Real Estate Writer Updated: 12-08-2026 Topic: New Mart Building Katharine has 5+ years experience covering UK new mart building projects. She writes practical 2026 guides in simple English.
The New Mart Building is a modern office building located at 5 New Mart Place, Edinburgh, EH14 1RW, Scotland, UK.
It offers 5,073 sq ft of office space with fit-out, secure parking, and excellent transport links.
Currently leased to Manor Estates Housing Association, this pavilion-style office is ideal for businesses in Edinburgh. Every time I study a project like this, I notice the same pattern: a legendary building gets a design team that respects its building’s history while giving it a purpose for today. That is exactly what is happening right now, and I want to walk you through it the way I would explain it to a friend over coffee.
Merged Introductions
Walking through THE MART in Chicago for the first time, I felt a real connection between the past and the present, and I understood right away why people call this a, new mart building worth watching. The design firm Gensler leads this renovation project, and rather than modernizing the space by tearing down the old walls, the team is honoring the building’s roots in Art Deco style while building a lifestyle-centered environment that still feels like home.
This is a redesign at the heart of the design world, mixing old and new uses so the building works as a true hub for every visitor, complete with fresh styles, new tenant amenities, and open public spaces, all while preserving the Art Deco character that makes this historic landmark so special.
Not every new mart building story is this dramatic, though. Over in Scotland, 5 New Mart Place, Suite 4, 1st Floor, Edinburgh, EH14 1RW offers a much quieter version of the same idea: a Modern open-plan office suite that keeps its existing fit-out rather than starting from zero. This property sits on the first floor of an office suite building with 5,073 sq ft of fitted accommodation, part of a pavilion style office building served by an 8-person passenger lift that reaches every one of its levels.
Across the ocean, a very different kind of landmark building carries the same name. DTLA’s own The New Mart is home to 100 showrooms and 500+ brands, making it the premiere West Coast destination for Wholesale Apparel in the LA Fashion District. Standing twelve stories tall at 160 feet high, it was the first high-rise ever raised in the area, and after nearly a century of history in LA, it earned landmark status for its elegant façade from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department back in 1988.
What’s Changing New Tenant Amenities
From what I have read about the plans, the team behind this new mart building is reworking both the first floor and the second floor so the whole arrival experience feels different the moment you walk in. They are opening the northeast entrance to make the lobby more accessible, and reworking the south plaza so it feels inviting to every one of the visitors who pass through, and this redesigning effort brings a proper tenant fitness center, a design-focused lounge, and a hospitality-style conference center built to lift the visitor experience for every guest.
This extensive renovation goes well past structural updates, adding premium spaces that raise the daily experience for tenants, from a fully equipped fitness center and a design-forward lounge meant for casual meetings or downtime, to a hospitality-driven conference center built for professional events, and the welcoming experience gets comprehensive updates across the main lobby and the plaza to help daily visitors feel this place is starting to feel new again.
Aesthetic Evolution “Modern Legacy” Design Concept
Gensler calls this whole plan a modern legacy, and once you see it in person, that name for this landmark makes perfect sense. The material palette chosen for this new mart building, blends modern finishes with the historic bones of the structure, keeping the ornate, geometric patterns of the original Art Deco details exactly where they belong while layering in new materials for a distinctive look, and this design-forward approach proves that a landmark in the design industry can move forward without losing what made it special.
The team anchored their vision on treating the property’s history with real respect rather than erasing it, so the authentic style of the original Art Deco details stays intact even as contemporary materials and finishes get weaving in for the businesses who will use the space for years to come, keeping both the past and the future in view at once.
Global Design Trends Growing Urban Trend
This kind of shift is not only happening at THE MART; it is part of a much bigger industry trend, where large-scale buildings once built for commerce are being reimagined instead of torn down. To see how far this concept travels, look at Ulverston, England, where a small community group is running a fundraising drive to turn an aging structure called The Old Mart into a shared community space, no matter its size or budget, with modular interior units planned for sports groups, food groups, and even an event space for the local lantern festival, and these hospitality-oriented spaces give this historic building a new purpose that serves the whole community.
This transformation is really part of a wider shift in architecture and urban planning, where developers everywhere are choosing adaptive reuse over demolition, turning old industrial buildings and commercial buildings into vibrant, hospitality-focused or community-centered spaces, a movement that stretches from massive urban landmarks in major cities down to small towns, proving that historic preservation and modern utility can thrive side by side.
Economic Benefits for the City The New Mart Building and Chicago’s Economy
With its refreshed public plazas and upgraded hospitality features, this new mart building is expected to pull in even larger crowds for international events like NeoCon and for everyday retail shopping. That kind of increased foot traffic naturally means more business for the surrounding restaurants and shops nearby, turning the new mart building into a genuine economic engine for Chicago’s downtown district.
Project Timeline
The transformation of the property kicked off in the summer of 2022, with the construction team pushing hard on fast-tracking the timeline. This whole project is aimed at reaching completion in time for the 2023 edition of NeoCon, so the updated space is ready for one of the industry’s premier design events.
Environmental Focus for the New Mart Building
As the wider architecture world shifts toward eco-friendly practices, this new mart building is stepping up to set a green standard of its own. The renovation brings advanced energy-efficient lighting and modern HVAC systems built to cut the carbon footprint of this massive structure, and by leaning on sustainable materials and reducing waste during construction, the project shows that historic preservation and environmental responsibility can sit comfortably side by side.
How the New Mart Building Uses Technology?
Beyond the beautiful Art Deco aesthetics, the digital infrastructure running through this new mart building is getting a full overhaul too. Both tenants and visitors will notice seamless connectivity through high-speed internet zones and smart building controls built right into the lounge and conference areas, and this tech-forward approach makes sure the building is not just a visual masterpiece but a truly functional, future-proof hub for modern businesses and events.
Outdoor Spaces at the New Mart Building
One of my favourite parts of this redesign is how it embraces its waterfront location. The design links the south plaza of this new mart building with the Chicago Riverwalk, bringing real vibrant energy to a spot where people can gather, network, and relax outdoors, and by blurring the line between indoor lounges and outdoor seating, the building becomes an urban oasis where professionals and tourists alike can take in the riverside views.
The New Mart Building as an Office Destination
At a time when companies are working hard to bring employees back to physical offices, the fresh layout of this new mart building gives them a real incentive to return. Gone are the dull cubicles of the past; instead, workers step into wellness centers, chic collaborative spaces, and museum-quality art installations, and by blending hospitality with daily work life, the building creates an environment that sets a new benchmark for commercial real estate everywhere.
Edinburgh Office Suite Details
Back in Edinburgh, the office accommodation carries a solid specification: raised access flooring, a suspended ceiling with fluorescent panel lighting, and full air conditioning, all part of the existing fit-out already in place. The suite still holds a 20-person boardroom, a meeting room, kitchen facilities, and a shower room, and while the plan is to remove the existing furniture, it could be retained for the right prospective purchaser who wants it.
WC facilities are communal and sit in the lobby near the entrance, the common areas are looked after by an external factor who can share the factoring and service charges with any interested parties, and the building also offers 12 secure garaged car spaces with fob controlled access.
Landmark Status
Out in LA, The New Mart still holds its place among the city’s most recognised showrooms and brands, standing as the premiere West Coast destination for the LA Fashion District’s Wholesale Apparel trade. Rising twelve stories to 160 feet, this high-rise in DTLA carries nearly a century of history in LA, and its landmark status for the building’s elegant façade, granted by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department in 1988, still stands today.
Conclusion
After looking closely at all three properties, I keep coming back to the same idea: a new mart building is never just about fresh paint or a new lobby. Whether it is Gensler’s work on THE MART in Chicago, the practical office suite at 5 New Mart Place in Edinburgh, or the historic landmark building that is The New Mart in DTLA, each project shows how a new mart building can honour its past while still working hard for the people who use it every day.
FAQs
What is the New Mart Building?
The New Mart Building is a commercial building associated with retail, showrooms, and businesses. Its exact features and uses can vary depending on the location.
Where is the New Mart Building located?
The exact location depends on which New Mart Building you are looking for. Checking a New Marts Building map can help identify the correct address and nearby landmarks.
Can I find photos of the New Mart Building online?
Yes, New Mart Building photos may be available through search engines, business listings, property websites, and social media pages.
Does the New Mart Building have showrooms?
Some properties associated with the New Mart name may contain retail spaces or showrooms. Availability and businesses can vary by location.
How can I find the New Mart Building showroom?
You can search for New Mart showroom along with the city or area name to find the relevant showroom, address, directions, and business information.
Is New Mart Building located in Macon, Mississippi?
There are search results for New Mart Macon, MS, but it is important to verify the exact address before visiting because similar names may refer to different businesses or locations.
Can I get directions to the New Mart Building?
Yes. Searching for the specific New Mart Building on a mapping service can provide directions, nearby roads, parking information, and estimated travel times.
What can I find inside the New Mart Building?
Depending on the location, a New Mart Building may contain retail businesses, showrooms, offices, or other commercial spaces.