Cincinnati Gets the Big Picture
Cincinnati has long been a city that honors its history while embracing innovation. That balance comes to life in a dramatic new way this week with the grand opening of Mercantile Immersive, a venue designed to transform the way events are experienced in the Midwest. Beginning September 12, guests will discover that this space is not just a place to gather but a fully realized environment where stories unfold and memories take on cinematic dimension.
A Landmark Location with a Modern Twist
Mercantile Immersive is housed inside the historic Mercantile (Formica) Building in downtown Cincinnati at the corner of East Fourth and East Fifth Streets. The building itself was designed by architect Harry Weese and completed in 1970. It served for many years as headquarters for the Formica Corporation, then later as a home for the Contemporary Arts Center.
That cultural lineage makes the building a fitting home for an immersive event space. Once a hub for both innovation and artistic experimentation, it now begins a new chapter as a destination where technology and hospitality merge. The venue spans nearly 14,000 square feet, providing room for gatherings of up to 500 people in a setting that can change its appearance at the touch of a button.
Technology That Redefines Events
Mercantile Immersive sets a new standard for event presentation by surrounding guests with visual and audio storytelling on a scale previously unseen in the region. Its floor-to-ceiling LED walls contain hundreds of millions of pixels that display imagery with cinematic clarity. Projection mapping allows every surface to become part of the story. Spatial audio ensures that sound surrounds guests in a way that matches the visuals, while customizable lighting enhances the mood.
Two distinct immersive rooms provide flexibility for different experiences. The Oculus focuses on interior dreamscapes that can resemble a grand ballroom, a seaside villa, or a hillside chateau. The Vista brings the outdoors inside with simulations of gardens, forests, and even desert landscapes under star-filled skies. These spaces give event planners the ability to craft atmospheres that shift and evolve as the evening progresses.
Hospitality at Its Core
Behind the spectacle is DelightMore, the hospitality company formed when Funky’s Catering and Vonderhaar’s Catering merged in 2023. Their expertise ensures that the technology never overshadows the essentials of food, service, and planning. Every event is handled in-house, from catering and bar service to multimedia design and coordination. State-of-the-art kitchens within the venue allow for fine dining, tasting menus, and interactive food experiences that pair seamlessly with the immersive settings.
For weddings, Mercantile Immersive has created the Immersed Wedding Experience, a $165 per person package that includes the venue, audio-visual production, bar service, and dinner. Couples can exchange vows beneath the Northern Lights or toast beneath a Tuscan sunset, all within downtown Cincinnati. Industry platforms such as WeddingWire and Eventective already highlight it as one of the most distinctive new venues in the region.
The leadership team of Michael “Funky” Forgus and Don Vonderhaar brings decades of experience to every celebration. Their combined knowledge ensures that even the most complex events unfold with precision. With their guidance, clients enjoy a streamlined process where every detail is accounted for, from the menu to the lighting cues that transform the room.
A Grand Opening with Purpose
The venue’s debut event reflects Cincinnati’s culture of community and generosity. On September 12, Mercantile Immersive will host Dress for Success Cincinnati’s annual Fashion Show fundraiser, an evening that blends innovation with impact. It is an opening that showcases both the grandeur of the space and the values of the city.
Mercantile Immersive signals a new chapter in Cincinnati’s identity as a cultural and creative hub. By integrating world-class technology with historic architecture and trusted hospitality, the venue positions downtown as a destination for events that rival those in larger cities. The building once symbolized corporate innovation and later hosted groundbreaking art exhibitions. Now it embodies Cincinnati’s ability to evolve again, offering a space where weddings, galas, and corporate gatherings are not simply hosted but transformed into journeys.
With DelightMore overseeing hospitality and Blockhouse Studios driving visual artistry, Mercantile Immersive is set to become a defining venue for the Midwest. Guests will not just attend events here. They will be transported, immersed, and inspired. Beginning September 12, Cincinnati proves once again that it can honor its past while stepping boldly into the future.