Renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron are redesigning the famous Breuer Building in New York. Check out the initial sketches below.
Art Auction House Sotheby's Transforms Breuer Building Into Global Art Center
Step into the world of art as Sotheby's breathes new life into the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue, Manhattan.
For a decade, this Brutalist landmark, designed by Marcel Breuer, has played musical chairs, from the Whitney Museum to a Metropolitan Museum satellite, holding the Frick collection during renovations, and finally, becoming the new home of Sotheby's. Now, Sotheby's and Pritzker prize-winning architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron unveil their plans to transform the building into a premier destination for art commerce.
The duo, masters of taking historic structures to a new era—from Tate Modern in London to Park Avenue Armory in New York—recognized Breuer's significance to the city and architectural history alike. Wim Walschap, a senior partner at Herzog & de Meuron, captures the essence when he says, "The Breuer building is loved not just by New Yorkers but by architects worldwide—it's more than a landmark; it's a cultural icon."
To preserve the essence of the building, changes to public areas, such as the grand lobby with its modernist combination of bush-hammered concrete, bluestone, and striking domed light fixtures, are minimal. However, there are strategic updates that boost functionality:
- Service Elevator: Swift movement of artworks is ensured with the addition of a freight elevator.
- Additional Exhibition Space: Previously occupied office spaces are repurposed to provide more exhibition space.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Improvements to mechanical and lighting systems modernize the building to museum standards, while interventions like built-in benches transformed into vitrines inject artistry into everyday experiences.
- Exterior Lighting: Nighttime illumination under the cantilevered "canopy" enhances the building's integration with the city's lightscape.
- Preservation of Original Layout: The restoration of original gallery floorplans and the revival of the 70th Street garden bring a touch of history to the modernized space.
The building, set to reopen this fall, will host a series of public exhibitions paired with a new restaurant, designed by Roman and Williams, evoking a dining experience steeped in both old and new world charm. As Walschap explains, "With these renovations, we aim to preserve the iconic status of the Breuer Building, making it accessible and enjoyable for the public."
So, hold on tight as the Breuer Building embarks on a new era, offering not just art commerce but a chance to experience and interact with art like never before.
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Direct investments in real-estate, such as the Breuer building, are proving to be lucrative ventures for Sotheby's, with the transformed structure now poised to serve as a global hub for art commerce and exhibition.
This prime location, reimagined by Herzog & de Meuron, not only offers a platform for art but also promises a unique dining experience, blending the old and the new, making it a destination for both art enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine cuisine.
