CHICAGO.- The inaugural Artropolis weekend April 27 – 30, 2007 -- featuring more than 8,000 works of art and antiques in five shows at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago -- drew international praise, attracted record crowds and marked the successful rebirth of Art Chicago. Art Chicago 2007, which featured 132 international contemporary and modern art galleries, received strong reviews:

“I’m seriously impressed with the quality here – there are some pretty good works on offer, and it’s been quite interesting how many of my colleagues from New York have been in to check out the fair.” David Juda of Annely Juda Fine Art, London.

“While we don’t give out names or prices, we have sold more than 30 works of art to collectors from all over – the VIP program for collectors has really worked well to bring people in, not only to see our art, but for the other galleries as well.” Robert Landau, Landau Fine Arts, Montreal.

“Art Chicago has been terrific for us. There certainly have been crowds, including a lot of people from out of town that I didn’t expect.” Jack Shainman, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

“For the first year of bringing back the new Art Chicago, it has been extraordinary! The show looks terrific. The collectors are here, they think the fair looks excellent and they are looking forward to next year. Other dealers have said that for the first time ever the collectors have been saying ‘thank you’ to them for being here – this is a first! All in all, it is a go – a winner!” Rhona Hoffman, Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago.

With final numbers now fully tallied, total attendance for the weekend was 42,113, nearly double the crowds of 2006.

In addition to the many attendees from the greater Chicago-area, Artropolis events attracted collectors and dealers from around the world. Total sales of works of art are not reported by Art Chicago’s owner Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). It is estimated, however, that Artropolis made a significant contribution to Chicago’s local economy with approximately $8.7 million in spending (not including art sales) that also generated $190,000 in tax revenue of local and state governments.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 tradeshows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Boston Design Center in Boston; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.