London-based contemporary galleries Edel Assanti and Emalin have both announced significant expansions within the UK capital. Edel Assanti is opening a second, more intimate location in St. James’s to complement its larger Fitzrovia flagship, launching with a focused exhibition of works by Lonnie Holley. Simultaneously, Emalin is moving its primary operations from Shoreditch to a sprawling 5,000-square-foot space in Clerkenwell previously occupied by Modern Art, while maintaining its historic Shoreditch outpost.
These moves signal a strategic bet on the physical gallery model and the London market despite broader economic headwinds. By prioritizing exhibition-based sales over increased art fair participation, these galleries aim to cultivate deeper relationships with collectors who are becoming more selective. The expansions follow a growing trend of established London dealers doubling down on their local footprint to provide varied contexts for their artists' work.