Bonhams, the renowned 230-year-old auction house, will relocate its US headquarters to the historic Steinway Hall at 111 West 57th Street this February, marking a significant expansion in one of the world's largest art markets. The move represents a major milestone for the globally operating auction house, which was founded in 1793 and now conducts business across more than 60 categories ranging from fine art and design to collector cars and luxury goods.
The new flagship location will occupy 42,000 square feet of space, representing a 30 percent increase from its previous Madison Avenue headquarters. The impressive facility features an 80-foot glass atrium and triple-height galleries specifically designed to accommodate exhibitions and sales events. This expansion reflects Bonhams' accelerating growth strategy and commitment to strengthening its presence in the competitive US auction market.
The historic Beaux-Arts Steinway Hall, originally constructed for piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons, was designed by Warren & Wetmore, the same architectural firm responsible for Grand Central Terminal. After being closed to the public for a decade, the building has undergone extensive restoration work by JDS Development Group and Gensler. The renovation has carefully preserved and restored the building's distinctive limestone facade, domed rotunda, hand-painted mosaics, marble arches, and intricate sculptural detailing.
Bonhams plans to reopen the hall to visitors and integrate it into a comprehensive cultural program featuring free exhibitions, guest installations, and live performances. This multipurpose approach will return the space to the cultural prominence it maintained throughout the 20th century as a premier destination for concerts, recitals, and art events. The auction house's strategy emphasizes accessibility and community engagement while maintaining its position as a leading player in the luxury auction market.
"This is it—we knew the moment we walked in," said Lilly Chan, Bonhams' US managing director, in an interview with ARTnews. She emphasized the company's need for a larger, unified operational base and highlighted the strategic advantages of 57th Street's cultural corridor, which is home to numerous museums, performance venues, and luxury retail establishments. "We've outgrown our former space. This brings the whole team under one roof and allows us to convene collectors at every level. Our aim is to be the most approachable, accessible auction house in the city."
CEO Seth Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the flagship's potential impact on the company's US operations. "It is a truly beautiful, impressive space—one that reflects our ambition for the US market," Johnson told ARTnews via email. "It positions us to make a stronger impact, and attract the level of consignments we're aiming for. It's a real game-changer." The executive's comments underscore the company's confidence that the new location will enhance its ability to compete with other major auction houses in attracting high-value consignments.
The new headquarters will consolidate Bonhams' coast-to-coast US presence, which currently includes salesrooms in New York, Los Angeles, and New England. This consolidation is expected to strengthen the company's operational efficiency and expand its reach across the country. The interior design of the new space has been conceived by Nada Sawires, creating an environment that balances the building's historic character with modern functionality suited to contemporary auction house operations.
