M.S. Rau Unveils Historic Expansion: Luxury Pop-Ups and a Permanent Aspen Gallery
New Orleans’ legendary fine art and antique purveyor marks a bold new chapter with its first-ever department store debuts at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, while preparing to open a flagship gallery in the heart of Aspen.
For over a century, the name M.S. Rau has been synonymous with the mysterious, the magnificent, and the historically significant. Nestled in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this 113-year-old institution has long served as a pilgrimage site for serious collectors seeking everything from original Monets to Napoleon’s personal belongings. Now, for the first time in its storied history, M.S. Rau is taking its treasure trove on the road, expanding its physical footprint with high-profile partnerships and a permanent new home in the Rocky Mountains.
In a move that signals a dynamic evolution for the heritage brand, M.S. Rau has launched exclusive pop-up experiences at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City and Neiman Marcus in Dallas. Simultaneously, the company is putting the finishing touches on a stunning new permanent gallery in Aspen, Colorado, set to open its doors this January.
A Historic Milestone: Entering the World of Department Stores
The decision to partner with two of America’s most prestigious luxury retailers marks a significant departure for M.S. Rau, which has traditionally operated solely out of its expansive 40,000-square-foot gallery on Royal Street in New Orleans. This strategic expansion is designed to bring the gallery’s curated magic directly to a broader audience of luxury consumers who may not yet have ventured to the French Quarter.
The Saks Fifth Avenue Experience
On December 5, the first of these historic collaborations was unveiled at the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. Located in the heart of Manhattan’s luxury retail district, this pop-up offers a rare opportunity for shoppers to encounter museum-quality pieces amidst their holiday shopping.
The curation at Saks focuses heavily on vintage jewelry and rare gemstones, catering to a clientele that values exclusivity. Shoppers can expect to find dazzling creations from heritage houses such as Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels. Unlike contemporary jewelry often found in department stores, these pieces carry the weight of history—Art Deco diamond bracelets, Victorian-era brooches, and colored gemstones of a quality that is becoming increasingly difficult to source in the modern market.
Southern Charm Meets Texas Glamour
Following the New York debut, M.S. Rau turned its eyes to the Southwest, opening a second pop-up at Neiman Marcus in Dallas on December 8. The synergy between the New Orleans-based gallery and the Dallas-based retailer is palpable; both brands share a deep understanding of the Southern luxury consumer who appreciates boldness, provenance, and uncompromising quality.
Staffed by M.S. Rau’s own team of experts, these pop-ups are not merely retail counters; they are educational experiences. Collectors can learn the history behind a specific cut of diamond or the provenance of a signed piece by a master jeweler.
Bill Rau, the third-generation owner and CEO of M.S. Rau, emphasizes the importance of physical presence in an increasingly digital world.
“For the first time in our 113-year history, M.S. Rau will be in department stores,” says Rau. “Seeing our treasures in person creates a sense of magic that photographs and videos simply cannot capture. This moment marks an exciting chapter for us and allows us to meet new collectors who share our appreciation for the exceptional.”
The Crown Jewel of the Rockies: M.S. Rau’s Permanent Aspen Gallery
While the department store pop-ups offer a fleeting glimpse into the M.S. Rau collection, the company’s commitment to Aspen, Colorado, is enduring. After a highly successful seasonal pop-up in 2024, the gallery has signed a long-term lease to establish a permanent foothold in one of the world’s most affluent enclaves.
Scheduled to open in January, the new gallery will be located at 307 S. Galena Street, inside the historic Aspen Block Building.
Inside the Historic Aspen Block Building
The choice of location is as curated as the art inside. The Aspen Block Building is a jewel of Victorian-era architecture, a brick structure that stands as a testament to the city’s silver mining boom of the late 19th century. M.S. Rau’s new gallery will occupy approximately 2,200 square feet across the street and lower levels.
Situated in Aspen’s Commercial Core, the gallery is positioned at the epicenter of the city’s luxury ecosystem. It will join an elite neighborhood of neighbors, including fashion powerhouses Prada and Rag & Bone, as well as the beloved local landmark, the Paradise Bakery. This prime real estate ensures that M.S. Rau will be a central fixture for the billionaires, celebrities, and art connoisseurs who descend upon Aspen for its world-class skiing in the winter and its renowned cultural festivals in the summer.
A Curated Collection for the High-Altitude Collector
The inventory in the Aspen gallery will be tailored to the sophisticated tastes of the global elite who frequent the area. While the New Orleans gallery is known for its eclectic mix of everything from 18th-century furniture to medical antiques, the Aspen location will focus on high-impact fine art and jewelry.
Visitors can expect to view and purchase works by some of history’s most legendary artists. The walls will be adorned with masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, and René Magritte. These are not prints or reproductions, but original investment-grade works that rival those found in major metropolitan museums.
In addition to fine art, the gallery will showcase an exquisite selection of objets d’art and antiques. From Fabergé eggs—the ultimate symbol of Imperial Russian luxury—to rare silver and timepieces by Cartier, every item has been vetted for authenticity and quality.
Andrew Fields, the President of M.S. Rau and a resident of Aspen, was a driving force behind this permanent expansion.
“Thanks to our long history in the area, and the success we had last year when we debuted our pop-up in downtown Aspen for the season, we decided to open a second location,” says Fields. “We knew that we wanted to be a permanent fixture in the community, as Aspen has a thriving art scene and attracts discerning collectors from around the globe throughout the year.”
The M.S. Rau Legacy: 113 Years of Curating the Exceptional
To understand the significance of this expansion, one must understand the history of M.S. Rau itself. Founded in 1912 by Max Rau, the grandfather of current CEO Bill Rau, the business began as a small antique store in the French Quarter. Over the decades, it survived wars, the Great Depression, and hurricanes, growing steadily into one of the most respected antique businesses in North America.
From the French Quarter to the World
Today, M.S. Rau is less of a store and more of a treasure hunting ground. Their acquisition team travels the globe to find items that are often “fresh to the market,” meaning they have been held in private collections for decades and have not been seen by the public.
This commitment to quality has earned them the trust of serious collectors. When a client buys a piece from M.S. Rau, they are buying a guarantee of authenticity backed by over a century of expertise. This reputation is what allowed them to seamlessly transition into the high-stakes markets of New York, Dallas, and Aspen.
A Cultural Connection
The new Aspen gallery aims to be more than just a retail space; it is designed to be a cultural hub. Fields notes that the Aspen store will host special events, educational talks, and exhibitions that align with the city’s vibrant cultural calendar, such as the Aspen Art Museum events and the Food & Wine Classic.
By integrating into the local culture, M.S. Rau hopes to foster long-term relationships with a new generation of collectors who view art and antiques not just as decoration, but as a lifestyle.
What Collectors Can Expect in 2026
As M.S. Rau moves into this new era, the opportunities for collectors have never been greater. Whether browsing vintage Van Cleef & Arpels at Saks in New York, trying on a rare sapphire ring at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, or standing before a Picasso in the snow-covered mountains of Aspen, clients are being invited into a world of unparalleled beauty.
The expansion proves that while the methods of retail may change, the allure of the truly exceptional remains timeless. As Bill Rau succinctly put it, there is a “magic” to these objects—a history and a craftsmanship that must be experienced to be believed. Come January, that magic will have a permanent new home at 307 S. Galena Street.
