sotheby's new paris flagship to open inside a 1920s gallery space

first look at Sotheby’s new flagship in paris

Sotheby’s announces its move to 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the heart of Paris’s art, fashion and luxury district. Spread across 3,300 sqm on five floors, the new flagship will be open and convivial, offering master classes, events, and welcoming relaxation and dining areas. By moving from No. 76 to No. 83, the art house gains nearly 30 percent more exhibition space, opening up room for its complete range of expertise across 15 specialist departments, from ancient, modern, and contemporary art to the arts of Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and from design, old masters, silverware, books and manuscripts to luxury goods, jewelry, handbags, wine, and cars. The Collections department, dedicated to the auction of prestigious ensembles and iconic collections, led by Mario Tavella, whose expertise lies in this area, has, in fact, contributed to Sotheby’s recent growth in Paris. The opening of this new location coincides with that of Sotheby’s Hong Kong in July 2024 and precedes the 2025 move of Sotheby’s New York to the Breuer building, once home to the Whitney Museum of American Art.

all images courtesy Sotheby’s

relocating to a former Bernheim-Jeune gallery from 1925

On the corner of Avenue Matignon in Paris, the former Bernheim-Jeune gallery buildings from 1925 have been transformed into a modern cultural hub dedicated to art and luxury. Sotheby’s (see more here) now occupies this space, resonating with the avant-garde spirit of Bernheim-Jeune. The restoration preserved the Art Deco features, including wrought-iron and curved glass doors, railings, brass handrails, mirrors, mosaics, wood cladding, and parquet flooring. New monumental chandeliers add elegance and innovation. Architecturestudio led the restoration, collaborating with artisans from diferent fields, including stonemasons, metalworkers, light designers, and landscape architects. Degaine, known for its work on the Hôtel de la Marine, also contributed.

Sotheby’s moves to 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris

an open and convivial sotheby’s paris

The building’s facade illumination enhances Sotheby’s presence in central Paris. Transparent windows on Avenue Matignon and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré make the headquarters open and inviting. The ground floor auction room and exhibition galleries connect to the public space, encouraging visitors to participate in the auction experience. Access to auction exhibitions is free and open to all, benefiting from natural light through the atrium’s glass roof, which spans three levels. The 200-seat auction room (240 sqm), designed with Architecturestudio and Mario Tavella’s team, exudes 1925 Parisian chic with materials like Burgundy stone, eucalyptus wood, and solid brass. The atrium’s suspended galleries, reminiscent of opera boxes, provide direct views of the auction hall and café, creating a unique and immersive experience. Exhibition rooms across three levels total 1,275 square meters, featuring both natural and artificial lighting for optimal display. These adaptable spaces cater to various functions.

taking shape inside a former Bernheim-Jeune gallery building from 1925

Meanwhile, the upper floors house the Salon, a luxury showroom with unique items for sale at fixed prices, and private sales rooms, reflecting the growing trend in private transactions. Clients can enjoy the wine cellar’s tasting area and the café, where rare wines are served. Versatile spaces accommodate concerts, parties, conferences, fashion shows, and dinners, supported by state-of-the-art scenographic and technical equipment. Open-space offices foster efficient communication among Sotheby’s staff, enhancing operations during auctions, exhibitions, and events. All areas, including sales and exhibition spaces, private lounges, and the café, are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

installing a new 65 sqm glass roof

about the architecture of 83 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

The development of Sotheby’s new Paris headquarters involves a highly connected sales process, supported by 25 km of cable to ensure digital mastery. The renovation also emphasizes sustainability, using bio-sourced materials and a short supply chain, including 26 cbm of cut stone (150 blocks of St Maximin stone) for the new loggia facades, 950 sqm of eucalyptus wood cladding, 600 sqm of solid oak parquet flooring, and 900 sqm of Buffon stone paving from Burgundy. Even more, a commitment to openness and transparency translates into a 14-meter, 13-tonne beam that eliminates all columns on the ground floor, supporting the courtyard facade. Additionally, the team installed a new 65 sqm glass roof, with a 5 sqm central glazing piece weighing 800 kg and measuring 245 x 320 cm. The exterior features 123 steel and wood-aluminum joinery systems. Last but nost least, the lighting design focuses on energy efficiency, with 1,700 automated lights and 1 km of LED ribbon illuminating the artworks, ensuring optimal visibility and minimal energy consumption.

200-seat auction room (240 sqm) at Sotheby’s new Paris flagship