Once home to manufacturers such as clothing line Necessary Objects, SoHo landmark building 82 Mercer relaunched as a dedicated event space in late January, when it hosted the Project New York fashion trade show. Managed by Global Ventures partners Harvey Fung and John Hickey, the second-floor facility was fully renovated and now comprises 25,000 square feet divided into three open spaces.
Although the restoration of the venue added bathrooms and new lighting and sound fixtures, 82 Mercer still retains some of its original 19th century details, including cast iron columns, 14-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and brick archways. Those arches connect the three adjoining spaces—two 10,000-square-foot areas and a 5,000-square-foot section—and loft-style windows provide plenty of natural light and views of Broadway and Mercer Street. An upper-level 4,500-square-foot glass atrium has an adjacent two-story terrace.
Designed for easy access, the venue has entrances on the west and east sides of the building, four stairways, four passenger elevators, and two freight elevators. There's also an 800-amp electrical supply, flexible track lighting throughout, and the capacity for as many as 880 people.