News Last June, the city of New York named the crossroads of 5th Avenue and 52nd Street Cartier Square, after the private Cartier hotel situated there, which building has been occupied by the prestigious jeweller since 1917.
"It's an honour," commented Stanislas de Quercize, President and CEO of Cartier North America. "In 1970, the private Cartier hotel was declared a landmark building. The name Cartier Square opens a new chapter in the rich history of Cartier New York and its eternal romance with the city."
Built originally by Robert W. Gibson in 1905 for Morton F. Plant, this elegant Renaissance style residence very quickly became recognised as one of the architectural wonders of 5th Avenue. Over time, as this main artery acquired an increasingly commercial presence, residents were obliged to move to the north of the city, as indeed did Morton Plant himself, who sold his private hotel to Pierre Cartier for one hundred dollars… plus a necklace of pearls (valued at one million dollars) for his wife. A transaction that refects the relationship Cartier has always enjoyed with America: capricious, brilliant, exhilarating!
September 25, 2003
