Showplace Announces $40 Million Showroom On The Magic Block

Furniture World Magazine

SHOWPLACE! announced plans today for a $40 million home furnishings showroom and tradeshow complex. The 450,000-square-foot facility to be constructed on the "Magic Block" in the heart of Downtown High Point is scheduled to open for the October 2000 International Home Furnishings Market. The announcement represents the next step in an evolution of events that began more than 10 years ago with the construction of Showplace On The Park. That 73,000-square-foot showroom for temporary exhibitors was sold in 1996 to Natuzzi Industries. In a simultaneous transaction, SHOWPLACE! purchased from High Point University the 7-acre block across from the International Home Furnishings Center on Commerce Avenue, and, over the last three years, has renovated the property and erected large pavilions to house market-to- market furniture and accessory exhibitors. The management and ownership team, all residents of High Point, includes Managing Partners Pat Walters and Joanna Easter, Earl N. "Phil" Phillips, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Capital First Factors Corporation, James H. Millis, Chairman of the Millis Foundation, and L. Paul Brayton, President of Paul Brayton Designs. "The five of us wanted to do something special and unique and we challenged the architects to come back to us with a design that would represent an exciting redefinition of our city and of the 8 million-square-foot home furnishings market," Phillips said. Architectural firms throughout the United States were invited to participate in the design competition, with the San Diego-based firm of Hyndman & Hyndman being ultimately selected. "We are creating a world-class facility and an environment to showcase products unlike any other," said Paul Brayton. Describing the building, Shelly Hyndman said: "The contemporary design is a dramatic break with its rectilinear surroundings with dynamic curves and contrasting forms. On the interior, a daylight filled central atrium rising to a height of 100 feet serves as both the focal point for entry as well as an organizing element for the circulation within the building. There are five floors on the west side and four on the east side of the atrium with food services and buyer lounges on all floors. The atrium and the exterior balconies are provided as gathering places for people to enjoy daylight, fresh air, and the activities of High Point and the market." With groundbreaking set for November 1, 1999, Jim Millis said: "As a lifetime High Pointer, I have enjoyed seeing our city grow and prosper. To be on the SHOWPLACE! team from day one has been challenging and exciting. We are focused on a building that would not only attract the attention of those involved in the furniture industry but also believe that we can be a premier destination for tradeshows and conventions during the other weeks of the year." The management team of Walters and Easter expressed their excitement over the outstanding collaboration among their team. "There has been a clear-cut vision within our ranks from the start," said Easter. "We have shared in the goal of providing our community and North Carolina and the furniture industry that calls High Point home with a landmark venue. This building makes a statement about our vision for this city and our confidence in the future of the furniture industry in High Point." Between now and the October 2000 completion date, SHOWPLACE! will expand its extensive use of pavilions to accommodate its tenants. Showplace! Architectural Information SHOWPLACE! is designed to be a 450,000-square-foot World-class Exhibit Hall and Convention Center located in the heart of High Point, North Carolina, to serve the local furniture market and various venues that come to High Point. The building's exterior breaks out of the surrounding buildings' rectilinear context with dynamic curves and contrasting forms. While the building's footprint is relatively rectilinear as is required to serve its functions efficiently, the rooftops are spirited with expressive curved forms reaching out from the central atrium. The building exterior is clad in white surfaces of various textures contrasted by blue-green glass and accented with Vermont Green slate. Glass bringing daylight to the interior is used throughout the building in both punched windows as well as broad curtain walls of glass. Vertical towers of glass surround the stairwells and reach up over the top of the roof and will glow from the interior at night. Curved balconies anchored by arced "Spider Legs" emerge from the south face of the building to become large exterior gathering places to enjoy daylight and fresh air. In addition to the south balconies, rooftop balconies dot the west side of the building and are accessed by the fifth floor spaces. The building's interior is organized by a large central atrium with ceiling heights soaring to 100 feet and tall windows capturing light from three sides. Large .diagonal steel trusses interlace at the roof to create interest and shade and shadow within the atrium. Escalators cross to form a diagonal pattern at the north end of the atrium to serve the vertical circulation up to the upper level exhibit areas. At the base of the atrium is a café registration desk, and access to all other building services. The interior finishes include light blonde maple wood, golden anegre wood, swirled stainless steel, Vermont Green slate, light green quartzite slate, warm gray and white tones, and colored stained and textured concrete weaving a pattern through the atrium floor.