The Cartier Building
What would you say if we told you that the massive Cartier flagship store on Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street was once a private home? The six story mansion fashioned of marble and granite was completed in 1905 and served as the metropolitan residence of the Plant family, who made their fortune in the railroad and steamship industries.
As the years went by, high society began fleeing farther and farther uptown as a bevy of hotels and businesses began overtaking their once solely residential neighborhood. The Plant family held their ground for as long as they could, stubborn to hold onto their home, but eventually, geographic isolation got the best of them.
When the Plants wanted out, Cartier wanted in. And the price for the palatial pad? $100 cash and a pearl necklace. That's right - Mr. Cartier paid them with a pearl necklace! Okay, so it was technically two pearl necklaces, one small strand of 55 and one large strand of 73. With flawless pearls such a rarity at the time, together they were worth $1 million.
Still though, feels like Cartier totally won out here, no?
Cartier, 653 5th Ave.
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