The South African firm will open its first London gallery in Mayfair at 26 Cork Street by the autumn.
Landlord on the street Pollen Estate plans to attract more Contemporary art galleries and is in talks to let the other spaces currently vacant on the street.
Julian Stocks, CEO of the Pollen Estate, said: “I have no doubt Goodman Gallery’s presence on Cork Street will generate even more gallery interest in the remaining spaces.”
Pollen said that “since the Mayor Gallery opened on Cork Street in 1925, the street has remained at the forefront of cutting-edge art movements”.
Cork Street was redeveloped by Pollen Estate but a number of art galleries left the street in recent years as leases expired and the works effected trade. However one gallery - Messum’s - has remained on the street and traded there since 1993.
“New perspectives”
Founded in 1966, Goodman has galleries in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa and artists on its books include Candice Breitz, Alfredo Jaar, William Kentridge, Shirin Neshat and the late David Goldblatt.
For the past 11 years it has been owned by director Liza Essers.
Essers said: “This historic street brought exhibitions by Joan Miro and Francis Bacon to London for the first time. It is a thrilling responsibility to be expanding on, but also challenging, this history by bringing new perspectives from Africa and beyond.
“It is important to me that the gallery exists within the heart of London, accessible to all and modern in design, playing more of a front-line role in shaping international arts discourse.”
The Pollen Estate is advised by property agents James Andrews of KLM Retail and David Rosen of Pilcher Hershman.
