THE CASUAL FURNISHINGS INDUSTRY EXPANDS AT CHICAGO’S MERCHANDISE MART
Leading Casual Tenants Move to Market Square, The Mart’s Newest
Design Destination on the 15th Floor
CHICAGO, IL (November 8, 2007) – As a result of the continual growth in the indoor/outdoor casual furniture industry, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) has expanded the permanent casual showrooms in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.
Four leading casual furnishings manufacturers are expanding their Chicago showrooms and moving from The Merchandise Mart’s 16th and 17th floors to the 15th floor, home of Market Square Chicago, The Mart’s newest design destination. In addition, two new casual tenants also will open showrooms on the 15th floor.
“This expansion addresses the need of the growing casual industry and allows tenants more space to showcase their increasing collections of high-design indoor and outdoor products,” said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. “Market Square on the 15th floor was a natural fit for this expansion as Market Square offers unprecedented resources to satisfy the buying needs of lifestyle, furniture and specialty retailers, as well as interior design professionals.”
Scheduled to open in early 2008, Market Square’s newest casual tenants include:
Ancient Mosaic Studios: Formerly a temporary exhibitor at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, Ancient Mosaic Studios is opening its first showroom at The Merchandise Mart. The manufacturer brings elegance to any setting with handcrafted Italian marble in a variety of custom-made colors, shapes and sizes. The originator of the all-weather marble mosaic table top, Ancient Mosaics offers a beautiful and durable alternative to traditional glass tops for indoor and outdoor spaces. The Ancient Mosaics showroom will also feature their sister company, Piage & Pieta – an exquisite line of cast stone urns, pedestals, table bases and outdoor accessory items.
Ebel, Inc.: Founded in 1988, Ebel is the answer to the ultimate combination of comfort, style and quality for year-round outdoor, indoor and contract use. Distributing only the highest quality casual furniture, Ebel’s lines of weather wicker and loom wicker are unparalleled in their craftsmanship.
Jardin de Ville: Also a former temporary exhibitor at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, Jardin de Ville garden furniture will offer a broad range of choice in a variety of styles in its new showroom. Its internationally renowned suppliers manufacture durable products of outstanding quality crafted from the most durable and noble materials. In a showroom setting that is constantly renewed, everything is presented with care and beautifully accessorized.
Laneventure: The addition of Laneventure and its growing lines of furniture for both outdoors and indoors will enhance the product offerings within Market Square. Laneventure features collections by Raymond Waites and Mimi McMakin and Brooke Huttig.
Summer Classics: A premier manufacturer of fine garden furniture and fireside furnishings, Summer Classics was founded on the principle that truly classic design, no matter how simple or elaborate, can and will be embraced for years. Summer Classics creates exquisite and timeless furnishings, offering a fresh level of sophistication and quality to outdoor living.
Veneman Collections: Veneman is a company of fine furniture designers and craftsmen who passionately seek authentic qualities that enhance the pleasure of contemporary casual living. Veneman offers a wide variety of array of styles and designs, in both contemporary and traditional presentations suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
These showrooms will continue to have access to buyers shopping the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ as well as those attending The Chicago Market: Living and Giving™ gift shows. Additionally, these showrooms will reach the design trade and their clients shopping Market Square on a daily basis.
About Market Square Chicago:
Market Square Chicago is open to retail buyers and the design trade Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment. The casual showrooms on the 15th floor will be open during the 2008 Official SCFMA Pre-Market, July 9-11, and the 2008 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, September 15-18, as well as during the 2008 Chicago Market: Living and Giving, January 17-23, which includes extended hours for Market Square.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Claire Weingarden
Public Relations Manager
Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7790
E-mail: cweingarden@mmart.com
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 yet.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
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