Sotheby’s completed the purchase of 945 Madison Avenue and the appointment of architects Herzog & de Meuron to lead its sensitive adaptation and renovation.
As the new home of Sotheby’s New York, the modernist landmark designed by Marcel Breuer will feature state-of-the-art gallery space to showcase Sotheby’s full suite of offerings – including reimagined auction rooms, exhibitions across its wide range of collecting categories and a restaurant.
Herzog & de Meuron, renowned for projects such as Tate Modern in London, M+ Museum in Hong Kong and the de Young Museum in San Francisco, were selected for their strong legacy of creating world-class arts and cultural spaces and their expertise in adaptive reuse projects. The project will perfectly balance innovation and preservation, ensuring that Sotheby’s new location continues to be a celebrated architectural masterpiece. Herzog & de Meuron will work in partnership with New York-based PBDW Architects.
In examining the structure as originally conceived by Marcel Breuer in the 1960s, Herzog & de Meuron will aim to reinstate the architect’s original vision while adapting it to the needs of Sotheby’s and the surrounding community. All spaces will undergo careful updates, respecting their historical resonance while offering opportunities for transformation in line with the building’s new use. This includes restoring lost spaces both indoors and out, introducing new areas and enhancing natural light, reflecting Breuer’s original intentions. Further details of the plans will be released in 2025.
Main Image: Exterior of the Breuer Building.Photo by Max Touhey. Credit: Courtesy Sotheby’s
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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