Hauser & Wirth has sold its Upper East Side townhouse at 32 East 69th Street for $10.5 million to a developer, ending a decades-long presence in the neighborhood. The property, purchased in the 1990s as a family residence, was renovated by architect Annabelle Selldorf and later used as gallery space from 2009, hosting exhibitions by artists like Pope.L, Anna Maria Maiolino, Luchita Hurtado, and Arshile Gorky. Gallery co-founder Iwan Wirth cited a shift in the family's center of gravity to Chelsea and the business's expansion downtown with new locations on West 18th Street and Wooster Street in SoHo.
This move signals a broader geographic shift in New York's art world, as major galleries increasingly concentrate in Chelsea and downtown areas, leaving the Upper East Side—historically a hub for blue-chip galleries—with fewer top-tier destinations. The sale also reflects Hauser & Wirth's aggressive real estate and hospitality expansion globally, including outposts in Menorca and Gstaad, while the gallery continues to dominate museum exhibitions with 18 major shows in six-and-a-half years. Separately, the article highlights growing financial strain on art handlers and freelance contractors, suggesting some galleries may be struggling despite outward success.