Located on 48th Street in the Rockefeller Center Landmark district, EW Howell Construction Group completed a 11,000-square-foot conversion of the former Maxwell’s restaurant space into galleries, showrooms, and support spaces for Christie’s Auction House.

Starting with the 48th Street lobby and reception area, spaces were renovated with an updated palette of materials and custom furniture. The West Galleries are a new suite of exhibition spaces on the ground floor of the landmark location which opened at the end of 2014. In addition, the façade work of the Expansion space was subject to Community Board and Landmarks Preservation Commission Review.

The 11,000-square-foot space provides a new location for private sales. Located directly off the main reception area, the galleries offer diverse and flexible environments for the display of art. The entrance gallery and lobby display art in a setting that evokes the architecture of Rockefeller Center with terrazzo floors and light fixtures made from gilded brass and sanded glass that were inspired by a historic art deco design.

EW Howell collaborated with Selldorf Architects and Levien & Co. on this project. Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more.