 The NYDC is an essential resource to designers and architects. Located in midtown Manhattan at 200 Lexington Avenue, the New York Design Center (NYDC) is the country's oldest furniture and design building. The variety of residential & contract showrooms, diversity of product lines, and on-going support of design trade associations make it an invaluable resource to the design trade.
The 16-story, 500,000 square foot building was constructed in 1926 as
the New York Furniture Exchange, and was available only to wholesale buyers. Until the mid-1970's, when mass market furniture
relocated permanently to High Point, North Carolina, regional markets were
held each winter and summer attracting a nationwide audience.
In the late 1970's, the NYDC's Board of Directors, made up of industry professionals, cited change in the market conditions, and began to
convert the building's focus towards interior design and architecture. In
1981, the building emerged as the New York Design Center.
Millions of dollars have been spent over the past two decades on the
metamorphosis of the building. In the lobby, the spectacular atrium
ceiling was renovated and reopened, display cases, a redesigned security
desk containing state-of-the-art video security were added. The historic exterior has been maintained.
Conveniences and amenities have been incorporated, such as the Conference Center, a state-of-the-art facility on the first floor of the building featuring the latest technological advances in audiovisual and lighting systems. The Conference Center has a 75-person capacity and is designed to be an ideal venue for design community lectures, conferences and exhibitions.
With an influx of new tenants and resources, the building has
undergone transformation and modernization. Today, the NYDC houses nearly
100 showrooms representing over 300 lines of fine, traditional,
contemporary, and contract furniture, fabrics, floorcoverings,
wallcoverings and decorative accessories. The NYDC also serves as the headquarters for the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), The Greater New York Home Furnishings Association (GNYHFA) and Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA).
Through building outreach programs with various universities and
design schools, building sponsored scholarship funds, and design
competitions and receptions, the NYDC is able to foster strong ties with
the consumer, as well ad with the designer. Expanding on its strong relationships with the city's museums, guilds,
and major corporations, the NYDC is involved in various industry-related exhibitions, seminars, and
special events.
These efforts keep the NYDC constantly in the forefront of New York's
design community, making it the most comprehensive resource for the industry.
Building Rules
The New York Design Center is a "Trade Only" building. Industry
professionals must register at the concierge desk, and must provide
appropriate credentials upon request of the showrooms.
Clients who wish to visit the building without their designers must be
accompanied by a letter from their designer, indicating in what showrooms
appointments have been made. [All non-trade visitors will be asked to wear a badge.]
To make arrangements for your clients to visit the building without you:
- Write a letter addressed to the NYDC with your clients' name, address
and telephone number and your business stationary. Please specify the
showroom(s) you wish them to visit, a contact person and state the terms
and service you would like the showroom to provide. Date the letter with
the specific day or dates your clients are to visit the NYDC.
- Please advise your clients they will be required to show this letter to
every showroom they visit.
Please Note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the NYDC. Proper attire is required. Pets are not allowed in the NYDC.
200 Lexington Ave. • NY, NY 10016 • (212) 679-9500 • Fax (212) 447-1669
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