by HIGH POINT — Natuzzi Americas is turning its ship-shaped showroom building here into Casa Italia — a multi-tenant building that it said will house the largest exhibition space dedicated to Italian design home furnishings at the High Point Market.
The grand opening is slated for the Oct 16-20 market. The company’s Natuzzi Italia and Natuzzi Editions brands will anchor the first floor, while eight new exhibitors take the upper three levels of the 110,000-square-foot iconic building at 130 W. Commerce Avenue.
The new tenants are:
Calia Italia, a manufacturer of sofas and chairs in leather and fabric.
Calligaris, maker of of contemporary furniture for the home in categories including living room, dining room, bedroom and home office, with a showroom previously located on the Hamilton with of IHFC.
Connubia, CalligarisGroup’s “irreverent, young and dynamic brand,” according to a release, with indoor and outdoor products made from responsibly sourced materials.
Ditre Italia, focused on the concept of “Designwear” across categories; Gamma Arredamenti, high-end, handmade and modern leather upholstery made in Italy, with a showroom previously located on the Design Center wing of IHFC
Luceplan lighting fixtures.
Nicoletti Home, contemporary upholstery. (“Nicoletti & Calia” are listed in the April High Point Market directory on the Designer Center wing of IHFC.)
Tomasella, modern bedroom and contemporary living room collections.
Natuzzi’s own brands are Natuzzi Italia, which features signature sofas, as well as storage for the living room, dining room and bedroom, and accent lamps, accessories, and rugs; and Natuzzi Editions, upholstery made by Natuzzi from the initial design to final sofa assembly.
In a release, Jason Camp, president of Natuzzi Americas, said the transformation of the property to Casa Italia unite’s “Italy’s strongest home brands in the heart of the High Point Market.”
“There is a tremendous sense of passion and positive energy among the highly curated group of Italian brands that we have assembled,” he said. “Each company joining us is globally recognized as a leader in their category — making Casa Italia an exciting new venue for shoppers and a center of excellence for Italian design,” added Natuzzi Founder and Chairman Pasquale Natuzzi in the release.
First opened for spring market in 1998, Natuzzi’s four-story building was designed by architect Mario Bellini of Milan, Italy to resemble a ship’s bow, complete with a gangplank entrance, porthole-shaped windows, and a moat.
“The Natuzzi showroom building has represented the arrival of furniture made in Italy on U.S. shores for some two decades,” Camp said. “Now, rechristened Casa Italia, the building’s tradition of fashion, quality and craftsmanship, will only continue to grow in scope and importance as we make ready to welcome these new tenants and others for future markets.”
