For almost 50 years, the warehouse on the banks of the Trinity River carried plowshares and tractor parts.

Starting this summer, you'll be able to shop for designer furniture  and high-end fabrics in the former industrial complex on Turtle Creek  Boulevard.

Developer Jim Lake Cos. Is converting the 158,000-square-foot former  International Harvester building in the Trinity Industrial District  into a design showroom complex.

"At one time, it was one of the largest such warehouse facilities in the Southwest," said developer Jim Lake Jr. "This opportunity came up late last year, and we bought the building and planned it  and have some preleasing with some good design tenants."

Allan Knight & Associates, a furniture and accessories showroom  and Ellousise Abbott Showroom, a fabric and home furnishings firm, will  be  lead tenants in the redevelopment at Turtle Creek and Irving Boulevard.

"We have some good interest from some national companies we haven't  signed up yet, including a restaurant," said Mr. Lake, whose company  is one of the largest land lords in the Trinity Industrial District.

The project, which is called International on Turtle Creek, will  have a central landscaped courtyard surrounded by parking.

"It was built in 1952 and has been vacant for a couple of years," Mr.  Lake said. "It's significant in that this is the firs project  of this cope on that side of Irving Boulevard for this particular  use - designer  showrooms and high-end furniture vendors."

The building is just west of the Design District, a collection of  design showrooms between Stemmons Freeway and Industrial Boulevard.

Mr. Lake said the first tenants will move in during July or August.

- Dallas Morning News