IHFC adds more accessories space on 3

The International Home Furnishings Center in High Point has added more space on its third floor for home accessories showrooms after prospective tenants snapped up newly offered temporary exhibit spaces in a matter of days this fall.

“The project went better than we'd expected, given the challenging times,” said Thomas M. Lindh, IHFC president and CEO. “We've been very successful with it, and we're very excited.”

In October, IHFC announced plans to create Pavilions on 3, about 40,000 square feet of temporary display space for home accents and decorative accessories. IHFC pitched its plan for the new 300-sq.-ft. to 1,500-sq.-ft. spaces to prospective exhibitors on Saturday before the opening of the Fall High Point Market, and by Thursday, all the spaces were filled, Lindh said.

The overwhelming response prompted building executives to create another 40,000 square feet for accents and accessories on the third floor by readapting the Wrenn and Green wings, said Tom Loney, executive vice president of leasing. The result, Wrenn/Green 3, offers permanent showroom space near the Pavilions and has allowed IHFC to create more of a decorative accessories focus on floors 2, 3 and 4.

“We're going to have a whole new look for about 80,000 square feet of the building,” Lindh said. The new space is set to open for the Spring High Point Market in April 2008.

Short-term leases for Pavilions on 3 will be for one market or one year, Loney said, while the Wrenn/Green 3 leases will be for five years. Some space remains in Wrenn/Green 3, which features 1,000-sq.-ft. to 10,000-sq.-ft. showroom spaces, he said.

Pulaski – a division of Samuel Lawrence Furniture – moved from IHFC's third floor to SLF's showroom at 220 N. Elm, Loney said. Catnapper, whose showroom was in the Wrenn/Green 3, will more to IHFC's sixth floor Commerce wing, he said.