CANADIAN NATURAL STONE IMPORTER CIOT OPENS BROOKLYN SHOWROOM

by Stephen Garner Nov 17, 2021

Family-owned since 1950, natural stone expert Ciot is expanding its U.S. footprint with the opening of a new 35,000 square foot showroom and slab galleria in Brooklyn, New York.

The premium Canadian natural stone importer brings together architects, interior designers, and industry pros in this new museum-like setting where marble, granite, and porcelain are exhibited as works of art.

Located at 5302 2nd Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, the space was a former machine manufacturing company established by E.W. Bliss in the mid-1800s. The complex was completely transformed by New York multi-disciplinary interior design studio BxSM from a raw industrial space to a modern museum-like design destination. The minimalist aesthetic is the perfect canvas to spotlight Ciot’s extensive range of materials.

This new creative hub also offers unique services such as Ciot Studio – a collaborative workshop where clients can commission highly trained mosaic maestros to create one-of-a-kind, custom masterpieces – to the Ciot Slab Galleria – where a curated collection of the finest natural stone slabs sourced from leading quarries around the globe are displayed like works of art. The showroom aims to inspire and exceed the demands of those who are looking to find the best in natural stone and engineered slabs, mosaics, tiles, and hardwood for their upcoming residential or commercial projects.

“Increasing our presence in New York allows us to showcase our exclusive collection internationally sourced by Ciot’s experienced team of buyers,” explained Ciot Group CEO Joe Panzera. “The Brooklyn showroom is designed as a space to facilitate meetings and interact with the world of design.”

Located on the ground floor and overlooking the windowed facade of the building, the showroom benefits from three rows of oversize side windows, a detail the architects took advantage of by creating low storage systems to harness the light and use it as a guiding element throughout the showroom experience.

Leveraging the appeal of the building’s retro industrial style, every detail was reinterpreted accordingly, beginning with the materials. Grey marble covers the length of the floors, ebony-stained red oak storage systems are paired with large bamboo tables, while natural stone, ceramics, and porcelains hang on the walls like tapestries. Exhibited as works of art to be admired inside mobile displays, the tapestries flow on interactive floor rails which can be moved to compare different surfaces.

The redistribution of the space was designed to include a majestic entryway that frames a large stone sculpture. Designed by custom art studio Moss and Lam in close collaboration with BxSM, the aptly named ‘Étranger’ highlights the contrasting raw aesthetic in the pristine space, with the impressive artwork which hangs from the 15-foot ceiling. A testament to nature, the monolithic-shaped sculpture of a primordial rock is an ode to the raw marble quarried from the earth.

Moving from the large foyer customized with Moss and Lam’s grey painted canvas walls, visitors can access the 18,000-square foot sky-lit slab galleria housing the company’s stone slabs in a Zen-like environment, with large Ficus trees and marble desks where clients can meet and work in total silence.

Ultimately, the interior design aims to soften the industrial side of the original structure and highlight that of an art gallery rather than a showroom. The result is a luxury go-to mecca not only for homeowners seeking Ciot’s expert advice but also for real estate developers, interior designers, architects, contractors, and stone fabricators, who can meet with their clients to make selections in an inspiring atmosphere, where a world of design awaits.

Ciot New York celebrated its new Brooklyn showroom with a grand opening event last month. Interior designers, editors, designers, and influencers gathered in Ciot’s gorgeous new space for a night of fun and festivity.