[1] It was built as the "grandiose" structure, made from reinforced concrete, and resembling a "fallout shelter".

[2] Apart from the numerous stores, shops, cafes and restaurants, in the southern extension it had a farmers market.

The building was expanded and renovated in the early 1990s, when the name Mercator was officially dropped, but unofficially remained until today.

By the 2020s, the structure deteriorated, with many empty shops, broken concrete parts and staircases.

[1] The collapsed area was left to the elements and in July 2023 city announced plan to turn this section into the parking.