The Wall Street Journal puts 34-year-old David Wildenstein front and center as he leads the storied art-dealing family’s efforts to transform their business. First step, sell the company’s Manhattan gallery on East 64th Street which had been built in 1929 by the founding Wildenstein, Nathan. The government of Qatar is buying the building to use as a consulate:

“In many ways, it’s a little bit the soul of this company and the soul of this family, so seeing it go will be difficult,” David Wildenstein said.

Consul General Ahmed Yousef Al-Rumaihi was drawn by the building’s history, its location and its security features. Built with steel construction, the five-story building has reinforced floors built to accommodate the weight of vaults. “It’s an amazing building,” he said. […]

Mr. Wildenstein, whose title is vice president, is the fifth generation to run the business. He is embracing a new and more public role, he said, in the hopes of expanding its nonprofit art-research projects and making a foray into real-estate development.

Qatar Buys Art Dealer Wildenstein’s Manhattan Headquarters – WSJ.com.