Larry Thomas — Furniture Today,
Includes interior and exterior renovations

AT THE MARKET — The International Home Furnishings Center is set to begin a massive renovation of its Commerce wing lobby that will make the showroom complex “feel like a new building,” according to IHFC officials.

Tom Lindh, IHFC president and CEO, said work will begin immediately after this market and will take about 12 months to complete.

He wouldn’t reveal details of the project, but said it will be a multimillion-dollar effort that includes interior and exterior renovations. 

“The Commerce lobby is our front door to the world, and we are determined to make it a world-class space that is both spectacular and highly functional,” he said. “I give my personal guarantee that our exhibitors and everyone who does business will be very pleased with the change. The industry deserves such a gathering place.”

Prior to the start of this week’s market, Lindh said interior corridors were spruced up throughout the 3.5 million-square-foot complex, and restrooms were remodeled on the second, third and fifth floors of the Wrenn wing.

The building will host cocktail parties from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today to celebrate renovations to the second floor of the Green wing and the eighth floor of the Design Center.

Also, directional signs were added to all five IHFC wings, and the 4,000-square-foot Designer Resource Center in the Hamilton wing was enhanced.

Lindh said the renovations are part of the IHFC’s “Market Central” project that emphasizes the building’s position as the largest showroom complex at the world’s largest home furnishings market.

The IHFC has created a new Web site, www.marketcentral.biz, to support its effort.