Sotheby's reopens the Breuer Building in New York

Sotheby's auction house reopens the doors of its global headquarters at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City, in the iconic 1960s building designed by Marcel Breuer, on Saturday, November 8, once again transforming the space into a world-class cultural epicenter.

The reopening of the Breuer Building marks not only a new chapter in the auction house's history, but also the rebirth of an iconic space of American culture, which over the years has housed the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Met Breuer, and the Frick Collection. With a careful and respectful renovation of the original structure, Herzog & de Meuron, in collaboration with New York-based architects PBDW, has successfully combined modernist architecture with contemporary needs, creating a space capable of hosting exhibitions, auctions, and an international audience.

Until November 17, the Breuer Building galleries will offer the public a free exhibition of three extraordinary collections: the Leonard A. Lauder Collection, the Cindy and Jay Pritzker Collection, and the Exquisite Corpus. Among the works on display are Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Crowns (Peso Neto)" (1981) and Maurizio Cattelan's "America" ​​(2016), a functional toilet in solid 18-karat gold.

The Leonard A. Lauder Collection brings together 20th-century masterpieces, including three paintings by Gustav Klimt and the largest series of Henri Matisse bronzes ever offered at auction. "It is a unique collection, born from the discerning eye of one of America's greatest collectors and philanthropists," commented Sotheby's experts. The exhibition explores Lauder's passion for European modernism and his role in spreading awareness of Viennese art in the United States.

The Cindy and Jay Pritzker Collection, assembled over nearly fifty years, reflects the sensibilities of two collectors devoted to philanthropy and art. Highlights include Vincent van Gogh's "The Yellow Books," one of the Dutch master's most significant still lifes, and Henri Matisse's "Léda and the Swan," over two meters tall, considered one of the artist's most inventive works. The collection demonstrates the Pritzkers' ability to combine historical interest and aesthetic beauty, creating a remarkable cultural legacy.

Finally, the Exquisite Corpus is one of the most prestigious private collections of Surrealist art. Build up over four decades, the collection offers a comprehensive overview of the movement, from recognized masters to lesser-known but equally important figures. Among the most extraordinary works is Frida Kahlo's "The Dream (La cama)," an intimate meditation on identity and mortality, a symbol of Surrealism's ability to combine fantasy and psychological introspection.

The Breuer Building's transformation extends beyond the exhibition space: the architectural intervention has enhanced the building's original beauty. Herzog & de Meuron have preserved the clarity and elegance of the modernist structure, reintegrating the original spaces and creating new, flexible galleries for exhibitions and auctions. Exterior lighting has been enhanced, giving the building a theatrical presence on Madison Avenue, while interior climate control and lighting systems ensure optimal conditions for the most valuable works of art. A fine-dining restaurant, designed in collaboration with Roman and Williams, will open in spring 2026, completing the visitor's cultural experience.

"The reopening of the Breuer Building represents a turning point for Sotheby's and for the City of New York," said Lisa Dennison, Executive Vice President of Sotheby's Americas. "Those who have known the building in its previous incarnations will be thrilled to see how we have reinterpreted 945 Madison Avenue, preserving the spirit of nearly 60 years of acclaimed programming. Breuer's design, with its ability to embrace multiple styles and eras of art, finds new life today."

The project received approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which recognized the building as a landmark in May 2025, underscoring the structure's historical and cultural significance. With this reopening, Sotheby's completes a trilogy of new spaces inaugurated in recent years in Hong Kong and Paris, both of which have already achieved record visitor numbers and confirm the auction house's global leadership. (by Paolo Martini)