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Contract Resource Group Opens New Texas Showroom

The design team salvaged doors and light fixtures from the old space.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 11/3/2006 12:00:00 AM

In Southwest Texas, Contract Resource Group has a new corporate headquarters and showroom. The office furniture dealership, which is strategically aligned with furniture manufacturer Allsteel, and also features products from Gunlocke and Paoli, has opened a new 34,000-square-foot space on Houston’s west side, in the city’s “furniture row” district.

To design the showroom, CRG collaborated with design, planning, and strategic consulting firm Gensler. Nearly one-third of the space—11,000 square feet—is showroom space, including an area for wireless access, a cafe, a comprehensive resource library, and a conference room. The remaining square footage serves as office, warehouse, and distribution operations.

To create a relaxed home-like atmosphere, the design team carved out an entry which resembles a front porch and a cozy community area featuring sofas and a fireplace. Some of the most interesting design elements are actually remnants of the old space. Several of the 90 doors were used to fabricate the fireplace mantel and the serving bar in the cafe, and a unique chandelier incorporates recycled light fixtures.

“Houston is a huge metropolitan area where a drive from one side of town to the other takes well over an hour,” says Bryan Colby, CRG vice president of sales. “Our showroom is meant to serve as a convenient and inviting meeting place, a stopping-off point, for architects, designers and others to use as an alternative office.”

The dealership celebrated its grand opening Thursday, October 26. The facility is located at 7108 Old Katy Rd., Suite 150 in Houston.