This is the American home of the multi-generational Cartier empire at 52nd Street and 5th Avenue, decorated for the holiday season. Cartier's is a legacy business, started in 1847. Louis Francois Cartier created the first wristwatch for a friend in 1904. This magnificent limestone structure was built for railroad investor Morton Plant in 1904, who purchased the lot from the Vanderbilts. The Vanderbilts and other wealthy residents who owned mansions in the area were not pleased when the first business (Cartier's first shop in 1909) went up on 5th Avenue. The acquisition of the Plant house by Cartier is a famous story - from the book Cartier -- Jewelers Extraordinary'' (Harry N. Abrams): ''Cartier proposed a deal in 1917 to buy the building in exchange for his most valuable two-strand pearl necklace.'' The necklace was valued at $1 million dollars at the time. The building underwent extensive renovations in 2001 and exudes old world charm - wood paneling, soft lighting etc. Click here for more photos. A visitation is de rigueur for all, especially this time of year ...
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Cartier
This is the American home of the multi-generational Cartier empire at 52nd Street and 5th Avenue, decorated for the holiday season. Cartier's is a legacy business, started in 1847. Louis Francois Cartier created the first wristwatch for a friend in 1904. This magnificent limestone structure was built for railroad investor Morton Plant in 1904, who purchased the lot from the Vanderbilts. The Vanderbilts and other wealthy residents who owned mansions in the area were not pleased when the first business (Cartier's first shop in 1909) went up on 5th Avenue. The acquisition of the Plant house by Cartier is a famous story - from the book Cartier -- Jewelers Extraordinary'' (Harry N. Abrams): ''Cartier proposed a deal in 1917 to buy the building in exchange for his most valuable two-strand pearl necklace.'' The necklace was valued at $1 million dollars at the time. The building underwent extensive renovations in 2001 and exudes old world charm - wood paneling, soft lighting etc. Click here for more photos. A visitation is de rigueur for all, especially this time of year ...
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8 comments:
How did you read my mind? I saw part of this building in the background of another photo (not yours I don't think) and I was hoping to see it up close.
I love that they wrapped it up like a present! The other shots are nice too!
Happy Saturday!
Unusual decoration scheme!
You certainly know how to do Christmas decoration in the USA! Great insight into life on the street in NY today
HOW SPECTACULAR!!!!
I can't believe it, wow!!!
Great photo!
very cool, i think the decoration!!
red caskets just falling...
:))
really a big present photo for us to enjoy.
jing
shanghai daily photo
Very interestion decoration idea.
Saw this on Fifth Avenue as I took my out-of-town friends on a tour of the city this weekend. Told my friends about your fabulous blog and they will defintely be checking it out. You take the best pictures, dude!
Used to work there years ago. Beautiful inside and out!
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