On November 8, Sotheby's will inaugurate his new global headquarters in the building designed by Marcel Breuer in the 945 Madison Avenue and mark both a return to its original neighborhood and a new chapter for one of the most cultural landmarks in New York.
The brutalist structure of the Whitney Museum of American Art was completed in 1966 for the Whitney Museum of American Art and is defined by its self-supporting granite facade, trapezoidal window, bluestone tile floors, bush-hammered concrete walls and a dramatic grille with vaulted lights. After the move of Whitney in 2015 to the meat packaging district in a contemporary structure, which was designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the Breuer building served as Met Breuer and later as a temporary house of the Frick Collection during its renovation by Selldorf Architects.
The Breuer building was completed in 1966 for the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Photo: Colin Miller for Sotheby's
“We have the privilege of living an architectural masterpiece that is based on the Whitney Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Frick,” said Lisa Dennison, Executive Vice President and Chairman of Sotheby's Americas. “Those who knew in earlier incarnations will be moved, as we have redesigned 945 Madison Avenue and preserve the spirit of almost 60 years of recognized programming. Breuer's design with its remarkable ability to use many styles and eras of art is particularly important for an auction house.”
Herzog & de Meuron, who worked with the local partner PBDW Architects, removed later interventions for the restoration of Breuer's original -Open Gallery floors and integrated discrete modern upgrades. The renovation uses the original floor plans again, replaces former offices with flexible galleries and sales rooms and adds state-of-the-art lighting, air conditioning and a new service elevator. Period details – including the curved ceiling lights of the lobby – are intact, while new showcases and improved lighting repeat the presence of the building of the building.
A rendering of the gallery devices.
Photo: Willem de Kooning: © 2025 The Willem de Kooning Foundation / Artists Rights Society (Ars), New York. Ellsworth Kelly: © Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, with the kind permission of Matthew Marks Gallery. Joan Mitchell: © estate by Joan Mitchell
The original ceiling lights of the lobby were preserved.
Photo: Ruth Asawa: Artwork © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., With the kind permission of David Zwirner Georgia O'keeffe: © 2025 Georgia O'keeffe Museum / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. This rendering includes a reproduction by Georgia O'keeffe's, Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, 1932, which Sotheby's will not be visible.
A rendering of the gallery on the fourth floor.
Photo: Jackson Pollock: © 2025 The Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Lucio Fontana: © 2025 Head of Lucio Fontana / Artists Rights Society (Ars), New York, NY
The opening, which will be available free of charge and to the public, is anchored by a blockbuster exhibition of modern and contemporary art from marginal auctions from November 17th. Design sales and luxury week will follow on December 5th. A fine circle of BY gallery The creative mind company Roman and Williams will open later in winter on the lower level and the building as a cultural goal must promote.
Charles F. Stewart, CEO of Sotheby's, sees the renovation both as a homage to the legacy of the building and as a brave new chapter in the cultural landscape in New York. “I thanked our partners Herzog & de Meuron for their brilliant work to reinforce the historical and material heritage of the Breuer for the era of Sotheby,” he said in a statement. “They have dedicated the same level of care and respect to the building as a great work of art. I would also like to thank the New York landmarks for their support and praise for our” spectacular “use of the room. We believe that visitors will agree.”