Christie’s put nearly half a billion in art and other objects on display yesterday as part of the opening of its new Beverly Hills offices. LA Managing director said, ““This is Christie’s moment to shine in LA.”
Christie’s has significantly expanded its West Coast team in recent years with a dedicated team of specialists in Impressionist and Modern Art, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Asian Art, Jewelry, Wine, and Watches. But sales will remain in New York:
Christie’s previously announced the expansion of its presence on the West Coast in response to growing demand among LA-area collectors for greater access to buying and selling opportunities as well as fine art advisory and appraisal services. The move mirrors Christie’s recent expansion in Shanghai and Beijing, where the company has been steadily increasing access to online and saleroom collecting opportunities, arts engagement, and educational partnerships. Together, mainland China and the West Coast region of the United States account for the largest influx of new buyers at Christie’s in recent years. As it has done in mainland China, the new multi-use space will house a team of highly-respected specialists working across Christie’s major collecting categories, supplementing the company’s long-standing San Francisco presence, and dramatically increasing the company’s influence on the West Coast.
The new two-story, 5,400 square foot flagship building has been completely renovated and reconstructed from its previous retail space. For the design and construction of this unique space, Christie’s engaged wHY, the interdisciplinary design team known for its work on the Marciano Art Foundation, CalArts, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Swinerton Builders. The gallery has a grand yet flexible layout for hosting exhibitions, social events, and educational programs. A 1,400 square-foot terrace on the second level creates a unique open space with greenery that can double as programmable outdoor event space.
