An Affair to Remember
For a tour of the new Mercantile Immersive space, contact DelightMore.
Imagine stepping into a space where reality bends, where immersive technology transforms an event into an unforgettable journey. Where a wedding toast can unfold beneath the Northern Lights, and a corporate gala can transport guests to the streets of Tokyo, all within the heart of downtown Cincinnati. This fall, after three years of vision, planning, and cutting-edge innovation, Mercantile Immersive will open its doors, forever changing the way events are experienced in the Midwest.
Developed by DelightMore in partnership with The Model Group, Mercantile Immersive is not just a venue, it’s a living, breathing canvas of possibility. With IMAX-quality LED displays, 360-degree projection mapping, ground-breaking spatial audio, and dynamic lighting, every event becomes an awe-inspiring masterpiece. Blockhouse Studios, the premier digital installation production company in the Midwest, is the content and technology partner for Mercantile Immersive.
From the moment guests step inside, they will be transported into fully realized, customizable worlds, whether it’s a Venetian palazzo, a moonlit mountaintop, or a cinematic dreamscape crafted just for them.
“We’ve spent three years meticulously designing this space to be unlike anything Cincinnati, or the Midwest, has ever seen,” said Don Vonderhaar, partner at DelightMore. “This is not just a venue, it’s an experience. A place where memories are not just made but fully immersed in.”
Housed inside the historic Mercantile Building at 115 East Fifth Street, formerly home to the Contemporary Arts Center, Mercantile Immersive pays homage to its artistic roots while propelling the venue into the future. Blockhouse Studios, renowned for its breathtaking digital artistry, serves as the creative force behind the venue’s ever-evolving visual experiences.
The venue features 14,000 square feet of fully customizable event space, meticulously designed to host:
Weddings that unfold in dreamy, otherworldly settings
Corporate events with next-level brand activations and dynamic presentations
Gala experiences that redefine luxury and spectacle
Social gatherings where technology and storytelling create unforgettable moments
There will be two immersive rooms at the Mercantile Immersive: the first offers a catalogue of interior room styles ranging from a formal ballroom to a seaside chateau, a projection mapped dome, and a bar featuring customizable lighting. The second room includes 360-degree LED displays that simulate breathtaking outdoor experiences. Guests can be surrounded by a rose garden or a snowy forest and instantly transported into different scenes and settings designed by Blockhouse Studios.
Room A – “Rooms with a View”
Choose from six breathtaking backdrops, a grand ballroom, a serene seaside escape, a chateau in the hills, each a fully immersive environment tailored to your vision.
Room B – “The Great Outdoors”
Step into nature without leaving the city. A tranquil rose garden, a snow-covered forest, or a starlit desert, each setting brought to life with projection mapping and sensory enhancements.
Beyond these immersive spaces, the venue also boasts:
State-of-the-art catering kitchens to accommodate exemplary dining experiences
Interactive digital elements that allow guests to shape their surroundings
Live camera feeds and presentation capabilities for hybrid and in-person events
Bridal suites and green rooms designed for comfort and luxury
“Picture this,” Vonderhaar adds, “a guided, five-course dining experience where guests ‘travel’ through Italy, one course in a digital Florence piazza, the next beneath a Tuscan sunset. This is the level of immersion we’re creating. Every event here will be a journey.”
With seating for up to 500 guests, seamless integration of audio-visual storytelling, and projection mapping featuring 456 million pixels, Mercantile Immersive isn’t just pushing boundaries, it’s erasing them. The venue brings the level of spectacle seen in The Sphere Las Vegas to Cincinnati, placing every guest in the best seat in the house.