The world’s largest wholesale furniture market continues to demonstrate beautiful design
HIGH POINT, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2005) – The most recognized furniture market in the world showcases the height of design in its showrooms and buildings. An innovative new lobby at the National Furniture Mart is no exception.
Located at 200 S. Main St., the National Furniture Mart lobby has undergone a $140,000 renovation that will be unveiled to nearly 85,000 buyers at the Oct. 20-26, 2005 Market. Designed by Diane Troum and built by Suburban Construction of High Point, the 1,000-square-foot space is a fantastic display of new ideas in interior design.
New, larger entry doors open to exquisite tiger-striped maple veneers on the walls and ornate mosaic tiles on the floor. The generous crown molding draws the eye to the recessed tray ceiling where perforated steel is backlit by florescent light through white opaque glass. The stainless steel is carried throughout the space, seen in the walls and floor as well. A dramatic chiseled-edge glass countertop sits behind the reception desk that was moved to the center of the lobby.
“We are in the interior business,” said Tom Mitchell, general manager/senior vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). “We want to present state-of-the-art design not only through our exhibitors, but also through our own properties and surroundings.”
A mainstay of the Market, the National Furniture Mart features nine floors of popular, mid-priced furniture lines from showrooms such as Powell, PeopLoungers, Canadel, Bauhaus, Fairmont Designs and Soft Line. The 258,846-square-foot building, originally developed in 1964, also underwent an extensive $3 million renovation from 1993-1997.
For more information please visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800.677.MART (6278).
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 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, 350 West Mart Center, and 33 North Dearborn 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; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
The International Home Furnishings Market is a registered trademark of the International Home Furnishings Market Authority.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Jackie Paulsen
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7555
E-mail: jpaulsen@mmart.com
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