Porcelanosa opens NYC showroom

Luxury tile, kitchen and bath brand Porcelanosa has thrown open the doors to its official U.S. flagship store in New York City.

The star-studded guest list attending its grand opening Fall Fundraising Gala included Sarah Jessica Parker, Richard Gere, Meredith Vieira, model Irina Shayk, fashion designer Carolina Herrera, Spanish model Nieves Alvarez, Spanish bullfighter Cayetano Rivera, Bullfighter Finito de Cordoba, Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky, US Ambassador to Spain James Costos, Porcelanosa spokesperson Isabel Preysler, and Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa.

The company renovated the former Commodore Criterion building in Madison Square Park -- a protected city landmark originally built in 1918 -- with the help of architects from Foster + Partners, headed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winning architect Lord Norman Foster.

The 18,000-sq.-ft. building maintains its historic exterior with a modern interior fitting of Porcelanosa's aesthetic.

"Porcelanosa is excited to announce the grand opening of our new showroom and provide an entirely new way for the public to experience our wide selection of European luxury products in an iconic location," said Santiago Manent, sales and marketing director for Porcelanosa. "The building's incredible design, interactive technology features and unprecedented offerings make it a truly remarkable place which will greatly benefit the design community in New York City and greater design industry."

Other features of the building, which includes eight floors, include a retractable ceiling made from Porcelanosa's Krion Solid Surface, a cafe, bar and lounge areas, and a full floor dedicated to a professional material library.

The building will also be LEED Gold certified by the United States Green Building Council.