Bonhams announces new Headquarters in New York

his important address is home to the historic landmarked Steinway Hall, designed in 1925 by New York architects Warren & Wetmore, and 111 West 57th Street, the monumental new tower by SHoP Architects that stands as the second tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. Bonhams’ new U.S. flagship will feature a soaring 80-foot glass atrium, four levels of galleries and two spacious auction rooms, increasing square footage by 30%. The move reasserts Bonhams' global expansion strategy and dedication to the U.S.

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, Bonhams' Executive Chairman, said,“This is a meaningful milestone for Bonhams and our global network of auction houses. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the U.S. market. The Steinway Hall symbolizes Bonhams' commitment to heritage – and the way in which we’re embracing the future."

Lilly Chan, Managing Director of Bonhams U.S., added: "This key move reflects Bonhams’ significant growth in the U.S. market driven by our coast-to-coast presence, and complemented by our recent acquisition of Bonhams Skinner in New England. We are firmly dedicated to the future of the U.S. and bringing best in class service to our clients. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new space, which will offer a full auction calendar, exciting programming, and a forum to explore the finest art and collectibles. We are delighted to be part of the history of this important landmark.”

Bonhams New York will now occupy both the historic Steinway Hall and its formal reception hall, in addition to the newly developed atrium by SHoP architects during the creation of 111 West 57th Street. Steinway Hall, originally constructed in 1925 for Steinway & Sons piano company, joined the burgeoning cultural and classical music center following the opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891. With its Neoclassical design by Warren & Wetmore, the celebrated architects of Grand Central Station, this exquisite building cemented its presence along the cultural corridor of 57th Street. As a landmarked site, the classical limestone facade has been carefully restored, still bearing the STEINWAY name, in addition to preserving the interior reception hall with its original ornate sculptural detailing and ceiling mosaics.

Enhancing the historic address is the striking modern addition of an 80-footglass atrium, set to serve as the grand entrance and main lobby for Bonhams. The new saleroom interior will be designed by world-renowned architects Gensler, known for iconic New York projects, including The Museum of Modern Art, the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, Saks Fifth Avenue flagship, and the Brooklyn Public Library. With purpose-built galleries and offices, the space will total 42,000 square feet (3,900sq m), which is a 30% increase on Bonhams’ current location on Madison Avenue. A grand staircase will lead to the four gallery levels featuring two large state-of-the-art auction rooms, and multiple client reception areas. The new building will be completed with workspaces for all its U.S. employees, including multiple meeting rooms, as well as professional photography studios and centralized warehousing with a dedicated loading bay. Bonhams New York will remain at 580 Madison Avenue until late 2025, where its New York saleroom has been located since 2008.

This announcement follows the appointment of Chabi Nouri as Bonhams' new Global CEO, bringing her extensive knowledge and experience in international luxury and retail organizations. Bonhams has continued expansion efforts across the globe, with the launch of a new Asia headquarters at Six Pacific Place, Hong Kong, this October. Bonhams is committed to its global strategy with 14 salerooms – more than any other global auction house. This follows the acquisitions in 2022 of four auction houses: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Boston.