Mega-gallery Hauser & Wirth is acquiring the historic Palazzo Forcella De Sata in Palermo, Sicily, as confirmed by president and cofounder Iwan Wirth. The property, a 19th-century eclectic architectural landmark that hosted Manifesta 12 in 2018, was purchased in mid-November, though Sicilian authorities and Italy’s Ministry of Culture have a two-month window to preempt the sale due to historical monument restrictions. The gallery plans to use the main floor as exhibition space, with renovations potentially completed by 2030.
This acquisition marks Hauser & Wirth’s continued global expansion—adding to its 15+ locations worldwide—while also restoring a culturally significant site in Palermo’s ancient Kalsa quarter. By transforming a former gambling den and administrative building into an arts destination, the gallery reinforces Sicily’s role in international contemporary art and underscores the growing trend of mega-galleries investing in heritage properties to create new cultural hubs.