Hauser & Wirth has announced plans to open its first Italian location in Palermo, Sicily, housed in the historic Palazzo Forcella De Seta. The gallery purchased roughly 20,000 square feet of the neo-Gothic palace, which previously served as a venue for Manifesta 12 in 2018 and was once home to Galleria Mediterranea, the city’s first private art gallery. The deal closed in November, but the local government and Italy’s Ministry of Culture retain a 60-day right of public pre-emption due to the building’s status as a historic monument. If that right is not exercised, work could begin in 2026, with completion expected by 2030.
This expansion marks a significant move for Hauser & Wirth into Italy, a country with a rich art heritage but a relatively small commercial gallery scene for international mega-galleries. By restoring a culturally significant site and creating a new arts destination in Palermo, the gallery continues its pattern of blending contemporary art with historic architecture, as seen in its Somerset, Menorca, and Los Angeles locations. The project also underscores the growing interest of major galleries in establishing a presence in southern Europe, potentially boosting the local art ecosystem and tourism.