On a sunny Saturday afternoon in August Benhar employee Urszula Kossarska wed Michael Pellegrino at an outdoor ceremony in Lord Thompson,  CT.  Complete with guitar, horns and Michael’s version of the Miracles’ “I Second That Emotion”, the couple exchanged vows in front of an intimate party of family, friends and well-wishers.  In attendance were several of Ula’s colleagues from Benhar Office Interiors, as well as Mark Benhar & Bob Maurer.  A great time was had by all.

BOI has just won a project with Disney to work with both Disney and the architect HLW. The project is NYC’s world renowned New Amsterdam theatre. The New Amsterdam is a landmark space and Disney is converting the tower upper floors to corporate offices for their theatre creative team. These are the people who created The Lion King and Mary Poppins etc… There will be approximately 125 employees populating this wonderful space and BOI is using a colorful palette of Etho space with random color screens and fabric that are different in each station. The space will have an open and fun feel, of course!

There's a new resident on the world's most famous TV Street! Since Sesame Street was running out of room at their current NY location, they needed to reconfigure some existing areas. With the help of their internationally reknown architect, Giuseppe Boscherini of Freehand Projects, they approached both BOI for Herman Miller and a NYC Steelcase dealer. After a month of quotes and revisions Sesame Street awarded the project to BOI. When asked why, the client said, "BOI’s professionalism in dealing with the process in the main reason for being chosen." The current project is for about 50 people and includes Herman Miller products such as Vivo and Resolve open plan,Vivo private offices as well as files and a mix of some Eames classics. In addition, BOI’s wall division will be providing there new Infinium Refine wall system. Mark Benhar says “ BOI is very excited to partner with Sesame Street on this project and look forward to developing a long lasting relationship with the organization. It’s a organization we all grew up knowing about, it’s special”.

Pablo Vega has come back to NYC!! Benhar Office Interiors is happy to have Pablo Vega join our team. Pablo, who will serve as a Project manager, for us joins us with over 10 years experience in the office furniture business. Pablo worked at 2 of the largest Herman Miller dealer’s in the country, most recently in Arizona. Upon his return, Pablo wanted a fresh start with a new and exciting firm and chose to approach Mark Benhar. Mark is always looking to add experienced professionals and thought Pablo would be a great addition to the growing Benhar family.

It was a wonderful summer for us here at Benhar Office. So what did we do on our summer vacation? Mark Benhar, President of BOI and an avid golfer had to go all the way to Ireland to get his first hole in one. On July 9, 2008 Mark hit a pitching wedge 110 yards in the rain at Greg Norman’s newly designed course Doonbeg.

Benhar Office Interiors is delighted to have been a part of furnishing the Sports Museum of America which opened May 7, 2008. The spectacular grand opening was, led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning. Other iconic athletes on hand included Billie Jean King (who spoke about SMA as home to the first-ever Women’s Sports Hall of Fame), Tony Dorsett (who spoke about SMA as new home to the Heisman Trophy and Ceremony) and 30 other hall of fame athletes from all sports. It is the United States' first national sports museum dedicated to the history and cultural significance of sports in America. It is located at 26 Broadway, in Lower Manhattan across from Bowling Green. The museum contributes to the revitalization of the area following the events of September 11, as it's situated footsteps from the Statue of Liberty Ferry, near Wall Street and the former site of the World Trade Center.

The Metropolitan Business Network (MBN) provides a vital network of corporate leaders committed to mentoring and sharing ideas, strengths and business referrals in an effort to benefit their customers in the community in which they operate. MBN is a highly selective organization: prospective members must be referred by a sitting member and then undergo a rigorous review. MBN members are owners, partners or senior executives of growth-oriented businesses. They look for individuals who are leaders in their field, with demonstrated integrity and a track record of building their businesses through networking and collaboration. Benhar Office Interiors is proud to be a member company.

In an effort to simplify the often complex and detailed process for buying contract furniture, Benhar Office Interiors has put together some easy to follow guidelines highlighting key decision making criteria. Call one of our knowledgeable account managers today at 212.481.6666 to help you get a good grip on your project BEFORE you begin...

CBS just awarded Benhar Office our 2nd project in 6 months. We will be furnishing their Spot Sales division that is moving from 565 Fifth Ave to 1700 Broadway. The products they will be using include Herman Miller Vivo workstations and First Office Vegas offices. We are very pleased with our success and progress within the CBS network.

Ohel, a not-for-profit agency, was established in 1969 to provide homes and families for abandoned, neglected, abused and disabled children. Recently, Ohel chose Benhar Office Interiors to furnish one of their NY regional offices in Far Rockaway NY. The office will be "home" for social workers, staff and patients and will be furnished in Herman Miller’s Vivo line, task chairs from Eurotech and miscellaneous furniture from our extensive offerings of other manufacturer’s. We are delighted we can bring an exciting contemporary aesthetic to this important environment. 

 

NASDAQ, a current client, had a move for 120 people in their Stamford, Connecticut office and needed to bid the furniture. In the past, Benhar has been an integral part of suppling NASDAQ's office furniture needs. However, we didn’t take anything for granted and made sure our bid was concise and thorough. We were just awarded the job for all their Ethospace stations and Aeron seating. Benhar is thrilled to build on our already successful relationship

Fortress Investment was standardized on Herman miller furniture for workstations and seating, however unhappy with their supplier. After extensive due diligence and interviews, Fortress hired Benhar and the Liz Hair team to become their new supplier. Mark Benhar says “ We originally lost the deal to a competitor who was bigger and it always bothered me. We made sure we stayed in touch and interested and when the time came up again we didn’t waste an ounce of energy preparing to win. It has been very satisfying”.

As part of our on-going growth and expansion, Benhar Office Interiors is delighted to welcome to our staff of experienced professionals:

• Josh Barnett - Sales
• Michelle Yung Carlson - Sales
• Marion Velloza - Sales Assistant
• Joe Ogno - Sales
• Yvelisse Salvador - Sales Assistant
• Peter Simel - Director of Business Development
• Jessica Tran - Sales Assistant
• Kate Peck - Receptionist/ Office Manager

Armed with a professional,focused team, excellent product solutions and competitive pricing, Benhar Office continues to become the dealer of choice to prestigious New York customers. Among BOI's recent successful endeavors are:

• With a win over Steelcase, CBS spot sales division has decided to furnish their new space in Herman Miller's Vivo product
• Flack & Kurtz, a major NY engineering firm has hired BOI to furnish and reconfigure their new headquarters.
• The Sephardic Community Center is about to place their 1^st orders with BOI for a 100,000 sf expansion in Brooklyn 
• Fortress Investment Group, one of the largest hedge funds in the US, has just chosen BOI for all their nationwide Herman Miller furniture needs.

Green Screens

The Emerging New York Architects Committee of the AIA NY Chapter has joined forces with industry leader and environmental design pioneer, Herman Miller, and its fastest growing New York City dealer partner, Benhar Office Interiors, to bring the New York City Architectural & Design community an exciting and educational four-part series called Green Screens, focused around building for the future and the future of sustainable design.

Green Screens centers on select episodes of the PBS e2 design documentary series exploring the complex social, political, cultural, environmental and economic issues of sustainable architecture & design in cities across the globe. e2 is a Kontentreal production and sponsored by Autodesk.

Part two of the series is being held on Earth Day, April 22, 2008 at the Herman Miller National Design Center. This event will feature a CEU class presented by Herman Miller (Sustainability and Green Buildings), two e2 design episodes, a Q&A panel, and a networking opportunity. Food and refreshments will be served.  For more information contact BOI at 212.481.6666.

Green Screens Part II of IV

Date:    Tuesday, April 22nd 2008 (Earth Day)

Time:    5:30 – 6:30pm – CEU
            6:30 – 7:30pm – e2 Design Documentaries

            7:30 – 8:00pm – Panel Discussion

            8:00 – 9:00pm - Networking       

Place:   Herman Miller National Design Center
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 17^th Fl