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Tenants Relocate in Chicago Design Center
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Outdoor Furniture on August 9, 2012
More than 60 residential home furnishings and casual furnishings tenants will relocate from floors 15, 16, 17 and 18 to new spaces at Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
Many will move to a newly-renovated 14th floor, which will exclusively house Design Center tenants that was previously occupied by gift industry leaseholders; and the 15th floor will be dedicated to casual/outdoor tenants. The floor renovations and tenant moves will be completed in phases now through the end of the year.
This leasing effort supported the reconfiguration of the Design Center into four floors, which will provide a more concentrated, easily navigable showcase of top brand name showrooms in residential and casual design. More than 115 showrooms, representing 2,500 product lines, will span floors 6, 14, 15, and 16, featuring luxury home furnishings, outdoor furnishings, rugs, lighting, fabric, accessories, art and more.
The Design Center moves from floors 16, 17 and 18 to new spaces on 6, 14, 15 and 16 required a tremendous leasing effort from the Marts Residential and Casual leasing teams, said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. It is unprecedented to negotiate and sign over 60 leases in a 3-month timeframe. This is a great example of the commitment and dedication our residential and casual resources have to The Merchandise Mart and maintaining their permanent showroom, in Chicago, a major market in the USA.
The 15th and 16th floors, devoted to outdoor furnishings, will play host to the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market. Upon completion of the relocation, buyers at the 2013 Market will enjoy a cohesive shopping experience with participating outdoor showrooms concentrated on the two floors, making it easier to shop the Market to find the best resources. As a result of the reconfiguration, many casual tenants have extended their lease beyond 2017, demonstrating their commitment to the Merchandise Marts casual furnishings industry.
Those showrooms who negotiated leases and will be relocated to the renovated 14th floor include Holly Hunt, David Sutherland, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, J. Robert Scott, Jean de Merry, Century, Hickory Chair, Dessin Fournir, Janus et Cie and Henredon; while floors 15 and 16 will feature outdoor furniture premium brands Brown Jordan, Pride Family Brands, Tropitone, Lane Venture, Woodard, Gloster, Treasure Garden and more. The Design Center will continue to be home to the best designer lines and highest-quality furnishings in an easy to navigate one-stop luxury resource.
"With the support of our parent company, Vornado, we have been able to transform the Design Center by providing extensive funding, reconfirguration and design of the 14th and 15th floors and relocation of many tenants," Brennen said. "We tapped renowned industry architect and Design Center tenant, Gary Lee Partners, to help us create the new, bright and open corridor layout, allowing visitors who patronize the Design Center to see our showrooms spotlighted among an improved aesthetic.
The 14th floor renovation included the construction of a designer amenity center, The Club, which will feature a well-appointed conference area, lounge, café and audio/visual display. Gary Lee Partners designed and curated The Club so it will be a design inspiration and office-away-from-the-office for the many designers, architects, guests and showroom personnel who do business in the Design Center. The Club will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning this winter.