Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store

Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store
General information
Architectural style	Neo-Renaissance Palazzo
Location	611 and 623 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York
Coordinates	40°45′29″N 73°58′37″W / 40.75806°N 73.97694°W / 40.75806; -73.97694
Opened	1924 (611 Fifth Avenue) 1990 (623 Fifth Avenue)
Owner	Saks Fifth Avenue
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Starrett & van Vleck Lee Harris Pomeroy Associates and Abramovitz Kingsland Schiff (expansion)
Website
www.saksfifthavenue.com
New York City Landmark
Designated	December 29, 1984
Reference no.	1523

The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store is a department store on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The original 10-story structure at 611 Fifth Avenue has served as the flagship store of Saks Fifth Avenue since its completion in 1924. The store also occupies part of 623 Fifth Avenue, a 36-story tower completed in 1990.

The original Saks Fifth Avenue Building was designed by Starrett & van Vleck in the classical style. It contains a facade made of Indiana limestone, brick, and cast-stone, with chamfered corners on Fifth Avenue at 49th and 50th Streets. Saks Fifth Avenue was the first department store on Fifth Avenue to comply with the 1916 Zoning Resolution, with setbacks on its upper floors. The tower addition at 623 Fifth Avenue was designed by Lee Harris Pomeroy Associates and Abramovitz Kingsland Schiff. The tower is partially designed in the style of the original structure.

The Saks Fifth Avenue Building was planned in the early 20th century by Horace Saks, head of Saks & Company, which had a flagship store at Herald Square. The building was constructed from 1922 to 1924 as "Saks-Fifth Avenue", a joint venture between Saks and his cousin Bernard Gimbel. Saks Fifth Avenue later became a department store chain in its own right, and the Fifth Avenue store became a flagship location. The original building became a New York City designated landmark in 1984. The 623 Fifth Avenue tower annex was built shortly thereafter, providing additional space for the flagship store. Over the years, the store has undergone numerous modifications.