The Art Newspaper: The Pull of Palm Beach Proves Irresistible for Blue-Chip Galleries—But for How Long?
With the colder weather, Covid-19 unabated and European borders closed to Americans, US collectors have migrated en masse to their Palm Beach residences—and with them, the blue-chip art dealers that depend on them. But could the flight to Florida prove a long-term relocation amid the city’s massive real estate boom?
Lehmann Maupin and Paula Cooper are the latest galleries to announce seasonal spaces in the warmer locale. They join Pace, Acquavella and Sotheby’s, all three of which are launching as-of-yet temporary locations in November within The Royal Poinciana Plaza—a 180,000 sq. ft, open-air, landmarked property, designed by the mid-century architect John Volk, who built mansions for the Vanderbilts, DuPonts and Pulitzers.
“We heard repeatedly from collectors that their plan was to remain in the Hamptons and then fly directly to Palm Beach in November,” says Pace’s vice president Adam Sheffer, the head of the Florida project. Given its signature 1950s British Colonial aesthetic and pair of lush courtyards, Sheffer describes The Royal as the only place Pace considered, as well as the strength in numbers it presented.
