French art dealer Emmanuel Perrotin is making a significant move into the British art market with the opening of his first gallery in London, set to launch in early 2025. The gallery will be housed within the iconic five-star Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair, occupying a 350-square-meter space known as Claridge’s Art Space, which currently hosts rotating exhibitions. This new venture comes as Perrotin shifts his focus to London after withdrawing from his Dubai gallery and a secondary market space in Paris, signaling an evolving strategy for his renowned art empire.
A Strategic Move into London’s Art Scene
Emmanuel Perrotin, a central figure in the contemporary art world since founding his first gallery in Paris in 1990, has long recognized the importance of the UK art market. In a statement, he remarked, “It’s important to have a gallery in the British capital. We have a long-standing relationship with the UK art scene and collectors. I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to set up the gallery in the right conditions.”
Perrotin’s new London gallery will be located on Brook Mews, adjacent to the Claridge’s Art Space Café. It will open its doors following a full refurbishment of the space, which was inaugurated in 2021 with a Damien Hirst exhibition organized by Claridge’s. The connection to Hirst is particularly meaningful for Perrotin, who played a key role in launching the British artist’s career. Perrotin organized Hirst’s first two commercial exhibitions—one in a group show in 1990 and the other in a solo show in 1991 at his first Parisian gallery. That solo exhibition coincided with the launch of the first issue of Frieze magazine, featuring Hirst’s work on its cover. Reflecting on this moment, Perrotin remarked, “It was an exceptional moment in my career. I look forward to coming full circle!”
The gallery’s entry into London comes at an opportune time, coinciding with Perrotin’s long-established presence at Frieze London, where the gallery has exhibited since 2004. A spokesperson for the gallery explained that the timing of the announcement was strategically aligned with the upcoming Frieze London art fair to further strengthen its presence on the ground. The new London space will serve as a hub for cultivating deeper relationships with British institutions, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
Expanding Global Presence and Evolving Programming
The London gallery is the latest addition to Perrotin’s growing global footprint. With existing galleries in major cultural hubs including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai, this new venture marks the first time Perrotin will have a space in the UK capital. This expansion comes amidst other significant developments within Perrotin’s gallery network. Earlier this year, Perrotin ended his Dubai gallery venture, as well as a secondary market space in Paris, reflecting a shift in focus towards more dynamic markets.
In addition to expanding geographically, Perrotin is also broadening his artistic programming. In the spring of 2024, the gallery announced it would represent the estate of Modern British sculptor Lynn Chadwick. This move represents a slight departure from Perrotin’s traditional focus on US- and European-Asian contemporary artists, signaling a growing interest in modern British art. Chadwick’s works will be showcased at Frieze London, underscoring the gallery’s continued engagement with the British art scene.
Perrotin’s ambitious plans for his London gallery are part of a broader strategy to strengthen his global brand while also tapping into new audiences and markets. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition at Claridge’s has not yet been announced, but there is much anticipation for its opening, given Perrotin’s track record of organizing groundbreaking shows with internationally renowned artists.
Strengthening Institutional Relationships and Art Donations
Perrotin’s London gallery announcement follows a series of notable moves that reflect his ongoing commitment to the art world. Just two weeks prior, Perrotin and 17 of his artists donated 23 works, collectively valued at €6 million, to the Pompidou Centre in Paris. This donation underscores Perrotin’s deep ties to France’s cultural institutions and his dedication to supporting the public appreciation of contemporary art.
However, not all of Perrotin’s ventures have proceeded without change. In February 2024, he ended a partnership with fellow dealers Tom-David Bastok and Dylan Lessel. Together, they had opened a secondary market gallery in Paris in 2021, but the partnership was dissolved “by mutual agreement,” with Bastok and Lessel purchasing Perrotin’s shares in the Dubai gallery as well.
The Future of Perrotin’s Global Expansion
While Perrotin continues to grow his gallery network, questions remain about the status of a proposed merger with Colony Investment Management (Colony IM), a French real estate and private equity firm. The merger, which was slated to be completed in 2023, would see Colony IM taking a 60% stake in Perrotin’s business, fueling further growth into new markets and geographies. As of the latest reports, the deal remains unconfirmed, with the gallery stating it will “communicate in due time” about the status of the merger.
For now, all eyes are on the opening of Perrotin’s London gallery, which is expected to be a significant addition to the city’s art scene. As the gallery’s programming expands and Perrotin deepens his connections with British institutions and collectors, this new space promises to be a dynamic cultural destination within one of London’s most prestigious hotels.
With over 30 years of experience shaping the global contemporary art landscape, Emmanuel Perrotin continues to push boundaries, and his move into London is yet another milestone in his remarkable career. As he prepares to open the doors of this new gallery, the art world eagerly awaits the next chapter in his ever-evolving journey.
