Fritz Hansen, the Danish furniture maker famous for the Ant chair and Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen, is growing its footprint in the U.S. market.
On Friday, the firm will open a New York City space on 152 Madison Avenue in the heart of the NoMad design district.
The new space is tailored around furnishings and finishes that convey the story of the firm’s history. Founded in 1872 by Fritz Hansen and his son, Christian, the family very early on began catering to the upper echelons of Danish society: the Danish parliament, the Supreme Court, Copenhagen City Hall and more.
Wraparound windows, European oak floors, layered textiles and a mix of new and iconic Fritz Hansen pieces are a few elements that convey this history and create a contemporary, distinctly Nordic environment.
“We want to make sure that we are telling our stories through our perspective and few understand the history and heritage of the brand,” Chris Paulsen, Fritz Hansen’s vice president, Americas, told WWD.
Since 2021 the company has also been intent on strengthening its distribution channels and showrooms across Asia, Europe and North America. As part of its ambitious growth strategy, it bought fellow Danish firm Skagerrak, an outdoor specialist founded in 1976.
“New York is a key design market for Fritz Hansen and a major focus for our growth in the Americas,” he said, adding that the new showroom consolidates their presence and is intended primarily for the interior design community and existing and potential contract partners. Fritz Hansen previously had a space in SoHo.
The opening will be marked by the U.S. debut of the firm’s landmark collaboration with Cypriot-born, London-based designer and lighting master Michael Anastassiades.
Named the After Series, Anastassiades drew inspiration from Danish masters like Kaare Klint and Poul Kjærholm. The round dining table conveys a sense of clarity and play on geometry. It’s flanked by the After chair, which is perceived as a stack of layers and elements.
In June 2025, the firm said it was also focused on reaching younger generations with the appointment of Els Van Hoorebeeck as creative director. Van Hoorebeeck, who was 37 years old at the time of her appointment, had spent five years as creative and brand director for the Danish brand &Tradition based in Copenhagen, after a stint as head of interior design for The Office Group. She also worked for Switzerland-based design firm Vitra.
