Ethan Allen’s new Design Center at 915 Broadway

Ethan Allen has become the latest retailer to take up residence in New York City’s Flatiron District with the opening of its new Design Center here.

Located at 915 Broadway near East 21st street (just one block from RH, Restoration Hardware), the nearly 12,000-square-foot urban-centric Design Center occupies two floors in the Tudor-inspired building, complete with pointed archways and high-relief sculptures.

“We’re extremely pleased to be opening a second location in Manhattan,” said Ethan Allen Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari. “It’s the right place and the right time to bring our diversity of styles and our personalized design service to a new demographic.”

The Design Center has a classic casual-meets-industrial aesthetic. Bright white paint is complemented with sleek limestone floors and dramatic black carpeting. High ceilings and huge factory windows bring in lots of light and keep the space feeling open and airy. A massive nine-screen LED display positioned behind the reception desk creates a high-energy vibe while six large touchscreens enable shoppers to browse the company’s assortment of furniture and décor.

Products on the showroom floor were selected to appeal to city-dwellers. The company’s Custom Quick Ship Upholstery, which offers handtailored seating, is delivered in 30 days or less. There is also an array of furniture and upholstery options designed for small spaces.

The Design Center staff includes 16 design professionals and two managers in addition to a support team.

“We’re thrilled to call the iconic Flatiron District our new home,” said Amy Franks, vice president of retail for the company’s Northeast Region. “We strive to provide an exceptional client experience. That’s why we’ve brought great products with an urban attitude, a team focused on helping clients as little or as much as they’d like, and the latest technology to the Design Center at 915 Broadway.”

The Flatiron District, anchored by the iconic Flatiron Building that sits at the intersection of 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue, includes at least 42 furniture and home furnishings stores, according to the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. Safavieh, Wolf Home, Whisk, Madura, Flying Tiger and Marimekko are among them.

The company also said its Disney-inspired furniture and home décor collection, a partnership announced in January, will launch online and in select Ethan Allen Design Centers Nov. 18.

(Source: hfndigital.com  Author: Allison Zisko)