The Architecture of High Point

I'm hard pressed to think of another city in the United States that's as oriented toward the furniture industry as High Point, North Carolina. From manufacturing to selling, furniture is the heart and soul of the city and region as a whole. And with 10 million square feet of showroom space, it's no wonder why. The High Point Market, which occurs twice yearly in the spring and fall, attracts and estimated 80,000 attendees. What was very interesting to me (a first-time visitor to the area) was High Point's architecture and urban fabric. The downtown area was nearly all showrooms, each with their own unique character. In my previous slideshow, I looked at the furniture on display during the Spring 2011 Market. Here, have a look at the buildings the furniture was displayed in and some of the other structural points of note.

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Directly opposite IFHC is the curvilinear glass-faced Showplace Center, whose atrium is flooded with daylight. A reaction to the former? I think so.

In 2005 a transit terminal was constructed in front of IFHC and has is the hub of a remarkably efficient and well-coordinated shuttle service. The structure is reminiscent of Buckminster Fuller's Octet Truss.

The Natuzzi showroom was designed by Italian architect Mario Bellini in 19XX. The founder of Natuzzi is an avid sailor and Bellini translated that love for the nautical into this veritable ocean liner.

The street-facing-facade is entirely glass and the opposite is essentially a gently-curved hull. Upon approach, you tread over gang-plank-like walkway that spans a moat. Yes. A moat.

Many of the contemporary showrooms were housed in the C&D Building, which boasts a silvery skin, and neighboring 220 Elm.

One of the most interesting things architecturally is how old manufacturing infrastructure is repurposed for today's needs. The Market Square building was formerly a furniture mill dating from the 1920s. In 1984, it was converted into showrooms. Note the addition to the facade: it's contemporary, but not out of place.

The interior glistened of varnished and lacquered woods, tin ceilings, and brick walls. I loved that many of the floors creaked as I walked over them.

Some of the old heavy duty machinery is still viewable from the glass corridors connecting various parts of the building. I really liked that you can get an impression of what it was like to be in a working factory, with remnants of the days when the structure churned out tables, chairs, and highboys.

North Carolina-based Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (whose showroom is located in what was once an old toy factory) had a very nice selection of furnishings on display that will soon be released to the public. Though we can't show the designs until then, look out for their Reclaimed History line, the retro-inspired Martin sofa, and the Morris cocktail table and console.

The Halo showroom was once a firehouse.

Though this stretch looks like a normal main street, all of the storefronts are furniture showrooms. Not a restaurant, pub, or dry cleaner down the line. The building capped by a transmission tower is the aptly named "Radio Building." Nearly everyone I saw downtown was a furniture buyer. On my returning flight, my seatmate (a local of neighboring Greensboro) said that the area is essentially limited to the trade.

The downtown post office is inside this lovely Deco building. There were so many different styles of architecture throughout the city, and every time I turned a corner something always stood out.

And here's a church dating from the 1800s.

Originally built in 1907, the train station was renovated in 2003. High Point received its name because it was the highest point of elevation along the railway line between Charlotte and Goldsboro.

The eaves are painted in mustard yellow.

And perhaps the most famous piece of "furniture" in High Point, the world's largest chest of drawers (which happens to be for sale). Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!