Historic High Point hosiery mill to reopen as showroom building

High Point Market attendees looking for new resources have another building to explore come market, one that aims to have a community-like atmosphere, with plenty of natural light and new-to-market brands, all within a five-minute walk from IHFC.

Called 313 Space (it’s located at 313 S. Centennial Street in High Point), the new showroom building is the brainchild of Rudi Nijssen and Dominique Sente of Schwung, who initially set out to find a showroom for their company, and ended up purchasing a former hosiery mill to create a multi-brand showcase in 155,000 square feet of space.

“We were searching for a building that offered natural light, greenery, comfort, access to healthy food and outdoor spaces—features we wanted for our own showroom,” the duo said. “We realized that this type of experience, that felt more intimate and intentional, could benefit others, too. We’ve had many different exhibitors show with us [in the past] and we’ve always enjoyed the experience. As we began, it became clear that we wanted to create a space that felt like a community.”

Located on six acres of land, the building – built in 1901 for The High Point Buggy Co., and later the home of the Slane Hosiery Mill – 313 Space will house both permanent and temporary showrooms.

“We’ve preserved the historic industrial aesthetic while blending it with modern elements, which makes the building feel welcoming yet grand,” they said. The entrance, designed by Sente-Nijssen along with their architect, John Pears, is one of their favorite elements of the new space, they added. “The building has a lot of personality and charm, from the light to the wooden floors and the original windows. It was a beautiful challenge, but we feel like we’ve prepared the building for another century and a lasting legacy as a stunning example of how industrial is timeless.”

Schwung Design will showcase its antiques in a ground-floor showroom. German outdoor furniture company Dedon has leased a 10,000-square-foot space for its U.S. headquarters. Other brands at 313 Space include Gloster Design, Gray Gardens, Harbour, Mecox Gardens and, new to the U.S. market, Roolf Living. Product categories span furniture, textiles, wallcoverings, antiques, decorative accessories and more.

“We want 313 Space to have a good, welcoming feeling that inspires and supports creativity,” Nijssen and Sente-Nijssen said. “This building will serve as a hub where like-minded people from the design and furniture industry can connect, collaborate and find solutions together.”

Other exhibitors new to the High Point market include a South African pop up, which has 10 artisans, as well as the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design | The New School, which will also host a panel during market.

Thompson, the handmade manufacturer of luxury sinks, bathtubs and accessories, will also exhibit there, after almost two decades away from market. The space made sense, “with its unique concept and curated collection of brands,” said Alejandra Thompson de Jordan, vice president, marketing and sales. The Mezzanine, where it is exhibiting, will “be like an old-world luxury department store,” she said. “When you walk in, you might feel like you’ve entered Bergdorf Goodman, and while we will not be displaying shoes and handbags, our craft and attention to detail and quality will be exactly the same!”

And there is more to come, as other elements such as a farm-to-table restaurant, a community garden and a greenhouse are planned, said consultant Alex Bates. For this market, the food options will include two bars and a few food trucks.

See also:

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams relaunch to debut in a new High Point showroom

Fairfield expands High Point showroom allowing for wider product showcase