When you reach 60, thoughts begin to turn to slowing down, taking it easy. For the folks who operate Dallas Market Center, the anniversary of 60 years in operation is a time for redevelopment, renovation and expansion.
The new Interior Home + Design Center is a perfect example. Originally opened in 1957 as the Home Furnishings Mart, the building was the first structure on the Dallas Market Center campus. Now reimagined as the Interior Home + Design Center (IHDC), the space serves as a 220,000-square-foot, to-the-trade marketplace. Reopened after a multimilliondollar renovation, the building stays true to its mid-century design, but the updated space features a new registration and reception area, wide interior hallways, interior landscaping, and a curated collection of state-of-the-art showrooms from leading home décor companies exclusively serving the trade. Construction of phase two, to begin this summer, will focus on exterior facade renovations, exterior landscaping and the next stage of showrooms.
New features of the IHDC will include individual exterior showroom entrances and large exterior windows, allowing natural light to pour into the space. Additionally, hundreds of front-row parking spaces and valet service are available for time-sensitive interior designers and their discerning clientele.
This visionary project is the largest expansion of home décor showrooms at Dallas Market Center in more than 40 years.
“Dallas is the center of incredible economic momentum, and the region is home to thousands of respected interior designers. We are expanding our home resources to serve this active design community with style and with great customer service,” says Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center.
New showrooms from many of the most respected home décor companies in the United States will debut in June, including Phillips Collection; Palecek; Visual Comfort; Ralph Lauren Home; Bliss Studio; Dessau Home; Emissary; in2green; Shadow Catchers; Ambella Home Collection; ZUO; Ratana Casual Furnishings; Austin Allen James; Wish Designs; Ella Home; Spicher and Company; Ashore; Botanical Mix; and Taylors, a leading agency of luxury lighting and home décor.
Adjacent to the permanent showrooms is The Gallery, a 32,000-square-foot shared showroom that serves as the central hub of the Interior Home + Design Center. This opendaily space with a full-time manager will allow buyers to easily review home décor manufacturers in a centralized location, and provide a convenient and centralized ordering process as well as many items available from the floor. Participating companies include Robin Baron Design, launching its home furnishings collection exclusively in Dallas; United Mills; artist Cari Davis; A Touch of Silk; Cloud Nine Comforts; and Zuhaus.
“We welcome these new companies that are taking full advantage of our unmatched combination of steady daily traffic, monthly design events, and markets,” says Morris. “The opportunity for these partners to create a new, custom space serving the trade customer yearround is a once-in-a-generation event.”
Dallas Market Center is the largest open-daily interior design resource in the country, with design showrooms stretching across the 5-millionsquare- foot campus, which also includes the Trade Mart and World Trade Center. Dallas Market Center also hosts a full calendar of design events throughout the year in partnership with organizations such as ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), TAID (Texas Association of Interior Design) and IDS (Interior Design Society). In 2017, Dallas Market Center will host more than 20 design events.
It is exciting to see the latest additions and enhancements. Like a fine wine, Dallas Market Center is certainly improving with age.
