Quentin Abramo: A Believer in Multi-Use Sharing

BY JOAN S. PECK

I was curious to meet Quentin Abramo—the man who had set up the Savidan Gallery so that he could honor his 90-year-old mother and display a portion of her more than 600 posters she’d collected during her years in Europe and the United States. After all, who doesn’t want to meet a man who demonstrates the love of his mother in that way?

It’s an interesting story. In 1929, Suzanne L’Hostis Abramo was born in Brest, France, but lived in Morlaix during the war years. In 1947, after attending and graduating from secretarial school in Paris, Suzanne was employed at a glove factory there. The small room where she was living was bare and needed decoration. So began Suzanne’s poster collecting. In the beginning, the posters were given to her free of charge by the merchants who displayed them. Later, she had to pay the merchant a small price for the tax stamp required by the French government.

In August 1953, Suzanne applied for and was hired as a secretary for the French embassy in Washington, D.C. In 1954, she met Guy Abramo, a U.S. Marine, and married him in Los Angeles, California, the following year. From that time on, they lived in various European countries and some United States cities—all the while with Suzanne (pictured below) collecting more art posters.

Her collection of posters is gorgeous. Each poster displays a famous artist with the announcement that his work was going to be shown in a famous gallery. Picasso, Matisse, Gonzalez, Miro, Modigliani, Rousseau, Chagall, and more are just some of the artists in her collection.

The Savidan Gallery & Collection was named after Suzanne’s mother, who loved all kinds of art and shared that love with Suzanne, who passed the love of art down to her four sons. Abramo’s desire is to bring more art into the Las Vegas downtown district, and he has made his studio available for other artists to show their works.

“I know what I like and what I don’t. I’m not an aficionado or expert about art,” Abramo said. I smiled because I had to agree that was true for most of us since we usually base our reaction to art on our personal experiences.

Photograph of The Savidan Gallery & Collection

How did you get started in the furniture business?

“In 1982, I graduated from college with a History major. I met a gentleman—my best friend—whose father was a furniture manufacturer based in North Carolina. He introduced me to the commercial office furniture business in Los Angeles, California.”

In 1983, Abramo started his own furniture supply company in Denver, Colorado. He worked in business development with Carnegie Fabrics in New York City and held several positions at Haworth, the second-largest office furniture manufacturer in the world.

What is Faciliteq?

Faciliteq is a Preferred Haworth Distributor (and main distributor) that provides high-performance Architectural Interiors, including Modular Walls, Modular Power, and Data Distribution, Raised Access Flooring, and office furniture in the Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver Metropolitan areas.

How did you end up in Las Vegas?

In 2005, after Abramo bought the business from his ex-partner in Phoenix, Arizona, he founded Faciliteq Business Interiors here in Las Vegas. “I changed the name from Facilitec to Faciliteq, which stands for facility and technology.” That combination is what his brand stands for in how he considers and creates office space.

“I believe in adaptable re-use and purchased an old auto repair shop on Main Street in the Arts District/Old Downtown neighborhood to support the downtown’s rehabilitation movement. The garage had good architectural bones, and by keeping a part of the old garage and painting it orange, I was able to integrate art into the architectural part of my business location. It took 18 months of remodeling and construction before Faciliteq could open for its commercial furniture business.”

As Abramo took advantage of the need for shared space, 817 Main Street became the downtown hub for Las Vegas co-working. It has been renamed Co-Operate on Main.

Co-operate on Main consists of 10,000 square feet and is the flagship location that provides creative co-working space to grow your business, and meet with your clients. “Whether you’re a startup, consultant, remote worker, or team of entrepreneurs, our community welcomes businesses like yours as part of our team.

“We place our tenants on a path toward success by offering access to flexible workspaces, cost savings, shared resources, and a community of professionals you can count on.

“We’re often complimented on our unique and innovative features such as ample natural lighting, high ceilings, exposed brick, two conference rooms equipped with AV, various desk options in a fun, productive environment. With accommodations for every business need, we’re confident our space will inspire creativity, promote collaboration, and will help you get stuff done.”

Photograph of Repurposed Garage Co-Working Space.

Why did you move your office into your new location on 3rd Street?

“The co-working space took off to the point where I decided it would be best to move our business offices to the HOP building in 2013. It is there where the Savidan Gallery was created and exists today.”

What does the future hold for Faciliteq?

In 2015, Faciliteq expanded into Phoenix, Arizona, and Denver, Colorado. “Our goal is to create sustainable, economical, and employee-friendly workplaces. Faciliteq was built on and remains true to the conviction that workplaces should be designed thoughtfully – with specific regard to environmental impact, technological implementation, and the comfort of those using it.”

Inspired by his upbringing in Italy, France, and Germany, Abramo’s appreciation for art and culture are at the heart of Faciliteq’s service. He hopes to integrate the art aspect into the architecture of the other two locations via the Savidan Gallery and Collection, making it a regional experience and part of his brand.

Photograph of Quentin Abramo

When we finished the interview, we sat and talked about the wonders of living in Las Vegas where anything can happen. Quentin said that when he landed here in 2005, he had no intention of staying more than a couple of years. Now after 14 years, he’s still here and planning to stay. Sound familiar? Isn’t that what happens to everyone who moves here?

Contact Information:
www.Co-operateon.com
www.faciliteq.com