Gagosian quits London and Basel sites amid mega-gallery downsizing

Gagosian is vacating its outposts in London’s Burlington Arcade and Basel as the world’s largest commercial galleries reassess their physical footprints. The gallery confirmed it has departed the two-storey London site it began programming in October 2023. It also plans to leave its Basel location at Rheinsprung 1 in the coming months.

Both European spaces shared a similar trajectory. They originated as opportunistic, short-term leases functioning as pop-ups before transitioning into full-time exhibition venues. In London, the arcade location operated primarily as a storefront for the Gagosian Shop, selling books and artist-licensed merchandise, with a modest exhibition area on the upper floor. The venue staged 16 shows, concluding with a display of works by Christo and Jeanne-Claude on 18 July.

The Basel gallery opened in 2019 with a group show timed to the Art Basel fair and went on to host 17 exhibitions. Its final show was curated to complement Gagosian’s booth at this summer’s edition of the fair. Despite the exit, a spokesperson said the gallery is “exploring other real estate opportunities” in the Swiss city.

In London, Gagosian agreed to vacate the Burlington Arcade so the property owner could secure a long-term commercial tenant. The move highlights the pressure on gallery tenants in prime European shopping districts, where landlords can command higher rents from permanent retail brands. The arcade complex is preparing for the arrival of Fabergé in winter 2026, though the jeweller has not confirmed its exact address within the development.

Gagosian’s pullback is part of a wider contraction among mega-galleries over the past two months. Pace Gallery announced in early June that it was cutting around 50 staff members and dropping roughly 50 artists and estates from its roster. The company also placed its 8,600 sq. ft. space at 5 Hanover Square back on the rental market by 10 June and is actively seeking a smaller venue in London.

The reshuffling extends beyond Europe. David Zwirner is exiting its Manhattan townhouse at 34 East 69th Street, a location it has programmed since 2017. A spokesperson for the gallery stated it was “always our plan to leave” the neighbourhood after a property “overhaul” in Chelsea was completed.

For the major players, the strategy is shifting away from expansive networks of secondary spaces and toward a consolidated presence in core markets. Gagosian will retain its two primary London venues in Mayfair, at Grosvenor Hill and Davies Street. In September, the Grosvenor Hill location will open a major exhibition of around 70 works by René Magritte.