Sotheby’s Acquires the Iconic Breuer Building from the Whitney Museum

In a significant development in the art world, Sotheby‘s has announced its acquisition of the iconic Breuer Building from the Whitney Museum of American Art. This Brutalist architectural masterpiece, located on Madison Avenue in New York’s Upper East Side, has been home to several prestigious art institutions in the past. With this acquisition, Sotheby’s aims to expand its global footprint and maintain the building’s rich artistic legacy.

Sotheby’s will take over the Breuer Building in September 2024 and plans to relocate there from its current headquarters on York Avenue by 2025. The auction house intends to review the internal spaces sensitively and maintain key elements such as the building’s striking lobby.

Upon completion of the renovations, the new space will boast updated galleries, exhibition space, and a reimagined auction room. In a nod to the building’s storied history, Sotheby’s has announced that the galleries will be free and open to the public.

Sotheby’s acquisition of the iconic Breuer Building marks a new chapter for both the auction house and the historic landmark. As Sotheby’s continues to expand its global presence, the Breuer Building will serve as a testament to the rich artistic legacy it has housed throughout the years. With plans to preserve the building’s unique architectural elements and offer public access to its galleries, Sotheby’s ensures that the Breuer Building will remain an essential fixture in the art world for years to come.

The five-story granite and concrete Breuer Building is considered an important example of the architectural style known as Brutalism. Its cantilevered design and striking facade have made it an enduring symbol of modernist architecture in New York City.