Saks Fifth Avenue, Manhattan: architect and history

The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store, a 10-story building at 611 Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, opened in 1924 as the flagship of Saks Fifth Avenue, planned by Horace Saks of Saks & Company as a joint venture with his cousin. The store later expanded into 623 Fifth Avenue, a 36-story tower added in 1990.

the building

Facade and setbacks. The original building was designed by Starrett & van Vleck in the classical style, with a facade of Indiana limestone, brick, and cast-stone, and chamfered corners at both 49th and 50th Streets. Saks Fifth Avenue was the first department store on Fifth Avenue to comply with the 1916 Zoning Resolution, stepping its upper floors back in setbacks.

1990 tower addition. The 36-story tower at 623 Fifth Avenue was designed by Lee Harris Pomeroy Associates and Abramovitz Kingsland Schiff, partly echoing the style of the original 1924 structure.

significance

The original Saks Fifth Avenue Building is a New York City Individual Landmark, designated in 1984.

nearby

Saint Patrick's Cathedral Complex 270 ft · Gothic Revival · 1858
451-455 Madison Avenue and 29 1/2 East 50th Street 450 ft · 1884
Villard Houses 520 ft · Renaissance Revival
488 Madison Avenue 0.1 mi · International Style · 1950
647 Fifth Avenue Building 0.1 mi · Neoclassical · 1905
400 Madison Avenue Building 0.1 mi · 1930

All 413 buildings in Manhattan