Design Within Reach, Inc. (DWR), today announces a real estate expansion plan that will increase the company’s retail footprint by more than 40,000 square feet by the end of 2013 in three major U.S. cities: Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. These new locations build upon DWR’s recent successful rollout of larger Studios in New York and Miami and a new 20,000-square-foot Studio in Costa Mesa, Calif. The larger showrooms feature vignettes, which allow customers to envision how to live with authentic modern design and reflect the company’s growing partnerships and product development.
Founded in 1998, Design Within Reach made modern design accessible to the U.S. market through its groundbreaking catalog and e-commerce site. DWR has evolved into a destination for its exclusive collection of modern furniture and accessories to complement the iconic midcentury classics it has offered for years. “We’re continually developing new products with designers such as Jeffrey Bernett, Brad Ascalon and Chris Hardy, and these new, larger studios allow us to properly showcase these collections alongside modern classics from Emeco, Fritz Hansen, Knoll® and other iconic brands,” says DWR President and CEO John Edelman.
The new Studios feature a floating Light Cloud composed of a variety of lighting pendants and a color spectrum of more than 500 wall-mounted upholstery tiles from Maharam, Knoll®, Edelman Leather® and Spinneybeck®, as well as extensive representation of the outdoor living lifestyle and a dedicated area for the Herman Miller® Collection. Working alongside professional design associates, clients can explore customizable furniture options and also visualize selections in their homes using DWR’s 3-D Room Planner.
The new locations are expected to open by early fall. Construction has commenced in the M&B Building on DWR’s new 20,000-square-foot 57th Street Studio (957 Third Ave.) - which will replace the current Studio on E. 62nd Street in New York - and will also begin at the new DWR San Francisco and Los Angeles Studios in the coming weeks. DWR San Francisco on Potrero Hill will relocate to a brand-new 25,000-square-foot showroom in the San Francisco Design District (200 Kansas St.), and the DWR Los Angeles Studio will move from its current location on Beverly Boulevard to a brand-new 10,000-square-foot building in the La Cienega Design Quarter (8612 Melrose Ave.). DWR Chief Operating Officer John McPhee states, “Our new concept of substantially larger Studios has been embraced by consumers and interior designers alike. We are exploring options in additional cities in the U.S. and Canada for 2014 openings.”
DWR is continuing its partnership with New York-based architecture group Sayigh+Duman to bring these Studios to life and is also collaborating with NYC-based design firm 2x4 to expand its approach to branding through interior and environmental design. James Ritman of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is representing the company’s future retail expansion efforts.
Progress on all of the retail expansions can be tracked on the “Design Notes” blog (blog.dwr.com) and Twitter (twitter.com/dwr_tweets). Design Within Reach is hiring: http://www.dwr.com/careers.
About Design Within Reach, Inc.
Design Within Reach, Inc., founded in 1998 and headquartered in Stamford, Conn., is the source for the best in authentic modern design. The company markets and sells its furniture and accessories to both residential and trade customers through its retail Studios in the United States and Canada,http://www.dwr.com and its Connecticut-based phone sales team at 1.800.944.2233. For inquiries regarding DWR Contract, visit http://www.dwrcontract.com.
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with its affiliates and London-based partner Knight Frank, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank employs more than 11,000 professionals, operating from more than 340 offices in established and emerging property markets on five continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. Its integrated services platform includes leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets, consulting, program and project management, property and facilities management, and valuation services. A major force in the real estate marketplace, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank serves the local and global property requirements of tenants, landlords, investors and developers worldwide. For further information, visit www.newmarkkf.com.
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is a part of BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP), a leading global brokerage company primarily servicing the wholesale financial and real estate markets. For further information, visit www.bgcpartners.com.