5. Morton F. Plant House, 653 5th Ave.
What better location is there for a luxury brand than a luxurious mansion? This corner building on Fifth Avenue originally belonged to Morton F. Plant, son of the railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant. Legend says Mrs. Plant traded the mansion to the jewelry company for a Cartier pearl necklace that was allegedly worth $1 million. While this story is likely exaggerated, Mrs. Plant did receive a pearl necklace from Cartier, but when it was sold in 1956, it brought in only $151,000. Since 1916 the mansion has been a Cartier store that allows walk-ins and can be browsed by appointment.
