The Upper East Side of Manhattan is experiencing a quiet renaissance as an art destination, attracting a new wave of galleries and collectors. While historically known for its established museums and affluent clientele, the neighborhood is shaking off its reputation as staid and becoming increasingly vibrant, drawing comparisons to London’s St. James’s district.
For gallerists like David Rödder, the appeal is multifaceted. , Rödder spoke of the proximity to world-class institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, and the Guggenheim as a major draw. “I always felt like it was exciting to be just around the corner from the most exciting museums in the world,” he said. But beyond the institutional prestige, Rödder values the focused engagement of the Upper East Side’s art patrons.
“I like the pace of the Upper East Side,” Rödder explained. “You obviously get nowhere near the foot traffic that you would get in Chelsea or maybe on a good day in Tribeca, but the type of people that come, they actually are there to learn something. They’re there to really engage with the work, engage with us. They come with time, if that makes sense.” This contrasts sharply with the more transient and often overwhelming crowds found in other gallery districts.
The neighborhood’s evolving culinary scene is also contributing to the shift. Rödder notes a growing “liveliness” on the Upper East Side, with new restaurants and clubs opening, attracting a younger demographic. He specifically mentioned Maxime’s, a New York outpost of Robin Birley’s Mayfair private club, as a gathering place for industry professionals and collectors, evoking a similar atmosphere to its London counterpart. A recent visit to Maxime’s saw Rödder mingling with Michael Nevin, cofounder of The Journal Gallery, and a number of collectors, many traveling from out of town.
This influx of new establishments is challenging the Upper East Side’s long-held reputation as a “food desert.” Rödder anticipates further improvements, stating, “I’ve been hearing things about more interesting restaurants coming. So, yeah, I think there’s a liveliness on the Upper East Side that probably is new and probably is part of that new wave of younger people wanting to settle there and live there.”
The galleries themselves are fostering a sense of community and intellectual exchange. Rödder recently hosted a talk featuring artist Jon Kessler and curator Melinda Lang, director of the International Studio & Curatorial Program, discussing the work of the late artist James Castle. The event drew a surprisingly large crowd to Rödder’s “jewel-box space,” as Kessler described it.
Rödder’s gallery is poised for expansion. In May, he will be taking over the space next door, currently occupied by Barbara Mathes, effectively doubling his footprint on the floor. This expansion underscores the growing confidence in the Upper East Side as a viable and increasingly desirable location for art galleries.
The neighborhood’s appeal extends beyond contemporary art. Directly below Rödder’s gallery is Robert B. Simon, a specialist in Old Masters who famously discovered the Salvator Mundi, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and sold for $450 million in . Simon recently showcased a collection of Renaissance drawings, many of which were anonymous, highlighting the diverse range of artistic offerings on the Upper East Side.
The juxtaposition of cutting-edge contemporary dealers alongside established Old Masters specialists, and even purveyors of antique maps, creates a unique and dynamic environment. This blend mirrors the atmosphere of St. James’s in London, where traditional and contemporary businesses coexist, fostering a sense of cultural richness and intellectual curiosity.
The Upper East Side’s transformation isn’t merely about attracting new galleries; it’s about cultivating a more engaged and discerning audience. The neighborhood’s pace and clientele allow for a deeper connection between artists, galleries, and collectors, fostering a more meaningful and sustainable art ecosystem. The recent activity suggests that the Upper East Side is not just reclaiming its position as an art destination, but redefining it for a new era.
The area is also seeing an influx of Asian galleries, with Fu Qiumeng Fine Art establishing a presence on the Upper East Side, contributing to a broader “Asian New Wave” in New York’s gallery scene. This diversification further enriches the neighborhood’s cultural landscape and attracts a wider range of collectors and art enthusiasts.
Emma Scully, who opened her gallery on the Upper East Side in , also noted a “new wave” of activity in the area, signaling a broader trend of revitalization and artistic innovation. The combination of established institutions, emerging galleries, and a growing culinary scene is positioning the Upper East Side as a compelling destination for art lovers and industry professionals alike.
