B. Altman & Company. New York Heritage

B. Altman and Company was born in the heart of the Lower East Side in Manhattan in 1865, under the vision of Benjamin Altman. A man who saw the world ahead of his time, passionate about luxury, the arts, and culture. He imported exclusive products from Europe and assembled an art collection that became a cultural reference in New York, part of which later found its home at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, solidifying his legacy as a patron of the arts.

The first store was located at Third Avenue and 10th Street. But Altman’s spirit was never satisfied with the small or the ordinary. In 1877, the store moved to 621 Sixth Avenue, between 18th and 19th Streets, seeking more space and ambition. By 1906, the brand took a leap of grandeur, opening a building that occupied an entire block from 34th to 35th Street, later expanded until 1913, at 188-189 Madison Avenue. Every detail, every façade, every arch, designed by Trowbridge & Livingston, breathed Italian Renaissance, commanding presence without ever losing elegance.

B. Altman & Co. was the first major department store to leave the “Ladies’ Mile” and establish itself on Fifth Avenue, then almost entirely residential. The new building blended seamlessly with the surrounding palatial homes, facing the grand residence of A.T. Stewart and glancing toward Mrs. Astor’s mansion. A move of bold vision, soon followed by other major stores, including Lord & Taylor in 1914.

Today, 160 years later, B. Altman & Co. returns to New York. It honors its tradition and history, while looking boldly toward the world, with headquarters in the city that never sleeps. Leandro Correia, a Brazilian entrepreneur and the current owner, carries forward Benjamin Altman’s spirit: vision, attention to detail, and a passion for products that inspire. In this new phase, every choice, every piece, and every experience is designed to provide comfort, presence, and well-being.

B. Altman & Co. is back. With the soul of New York, the elegance of tradition, and a keen eye on the present, the brand reaffirms its commitment to those who value history, experience, and quality of life.