It's official, Sotheby's Int. Realty and Sotheby's Auction are reunited in one unique space, Avenue Louise 251, 1050 Brussels.
Forty-five years on from the opening of Sotheby’s first premises and 10 years after Sotheby’s Realty’s first office opening in Belgium, both companies have moved into a new 1,300 sqm space including galleries with expansive windows across the first and second floors that will play host to an expanding roster of events, launched with an inaugural exhibition on May 4. We wish to thank all our esteemed clients and colleagues for joining us in celebrating this world première.
Thirteen hundred square feet
The move, which will see the size of Sotheby’s exhibition space double, reflects the ever-increased activity of Belgian clients in Sotheby’s private sales and international auctions. The move also reflects the acquisition of a space to learn, celebrate and share, providing an experience for clients and the Sotheby’s Realty and Auctions team in a unique space in the European capital.
Words from the CEOs
The ever-increasing activity of Sotheby’s Auction in Belgium
“The expansion of Sotheby’s presence here is a physical expression of its commitment to the Belgian market, and the ever-increasing activity of clients as buyers and sellers on the global art scene. The art community today is more dynamic than ever. As we have always had an excellent relationship with Sotheby’s International Realty in Belgium, it seemed natural to approach them and collaborate by merging our respective expertise.” – Emmanuel van de Putte CEO Sotheby’s Auction.
A place where we learn, we share and we celebrate
“This move with the auction house in a single space is a world première. More than just an office, Louise 251 is also a place where things happen, where we celebrate. We have the ambition to organise events, masterclasses, valuation days, exhibitions, retrospectives and more. The idea is to be able to offer an experience to our customers and our teams in a unique space within the European capital.” – David Chicard, CEO Belgium SIR.
Sotheby’s in a nutshell
- Founded in 1744 by Samuel Baker, London
- Expands in America in the mid-1950’s
- Allies with Really in 1976 and founds Sotheby’s International Realty
- In 2022, Sotheby’s counts 80 offices worldwide in 40 countries and generates 6.65 billion in annual sales
- In 2022, Sotheby’s International Realty counts 1,000 employees in 79 countries and 1,000 offies worldwide with an annual turnover of 210 billion euros.