London art dealer Ben Hunter is bucking the trend of gallery closures by expanding his gallery into a full townhouse at 44 Duke Street in St James’s, set to open this October. Hunter, who previously worked for Old Master dealer Derek Johns and sculpture specialist Robert Bowman, founded his gallery in 2018 and has gradually taken over more space in the building as other tenants left. The historic townhouse was originally where Jay Jopling launched White Cube in 1993. Hunter cites the need to match the ambition of his artists and seize opportunities as key reasons for the expansion, despite the challenging market.
This expansion matters because it signals that some dealers still see growth potential in the primary and secondary art markets, even as others retreat. Hunter’s pluralistic business model—not relying on a single artist, maintaining cash reserves, and balancing art fair participation with a strong physical space—offers a counter-narrative to widespread gallery closures. His move also highlights the ongoing importance of St James’s as a gallery hub and the strategic value of historic properties in attracting collectors and artists.