For almost 90 years, Cork Street in Mayfair has been one of the most famous streets for art galleries in London, and possibly the world. Cork Street is known and loved not only in Britain but internationally, and provides a major draw to London and the UK throughout the course of a year. The history and atmosphere of this street, as well as its close proximity to the Royal Academy of Art, make this a unique place to visit for collectors, art enthusiasts, students and tourists alike.
Francis Bacon by Dmitri Kasterine 1979
The careers of many prominent British artists – Barbara Hepworth, Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, and Lynn Chadwick, to name a few – have been closely related to Cork Street.
In August 2012, Standard Life, the landlord for seven galleries on Cork Street, sold the building to a property development company called Native Land. The Mayor Gallery (the oldest gallery on Cork Street), Beaux Arts, Alpha Gallery, Adam Gallery, Stoppenbach & Delestre, Waterhouse & Dodd, and Gallery 27 are all affected.
The leases for a number of these Galleries are due to expire between March and June next year. It is thought that planning applications will be submitted to Westminster Council in the next 3-4 months, and from July next year, short-term breakable leases will be in place. The affected Galleries will ultimately have to re-locate in order to make way for the MacDonaldisation of the street. If, as has been suggested, Pollen Estate – owner of a number of buildings on the opposite side of the road which house another dozen Galleries - follow suit, this would, surely, spell the end of Cork Street as a hub for the showcasing of artistic and creative talent of all periods.
Westminster Council are yet to receive any planning application. They have advised us that when the application is entered for consideration, any objections or opinions should be registered with them. Please see the link below:
http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/environment/planning/comment/
Elliot Lee
Alex
August 19, 2012
Elliot and colleagues, many thanks for this news, which hopefully will alarm art-lovers as well as general public. Let’s hope Westminster Council will be reasonable enough, listening to public opinion and spare this wonderful area for art, not for “MacDonaldisation”.
Please,keep us up dated.
All the best,
Alex (from London). .
Ian Harris
August 20, 2012
As the more premier Mayfair shopping streets become increasingly affordable only to ‘brands’ the secondary streets will increase in price, driving out smaller galleries and retailers. The same with the domestic property market, where areas like Hoxton, Hackney, Clerkenwell, Battersea were once really downmarket now affordable only by the wealthy. Very few Mayfair retailers own their properties, and landlords naturally will want to get the most income they can. Sadly, this is inevitable, and these specialised businesses eventually will have to relocate to a new ‘quarter’ as more central areas become too costly, or move to upstairs showrooms. It has happened in other major cities. If relocating, the important thing is to establish an area big enough and with enough specialised businesses to make a visit worth-while. Maybe around Lisson Grove? So far, St James seems OK, but the same will happen. There are new fashion brands being created all the time, backed by big money hoping to make a lot more, not difficult when a £2 T-shirt from China can retail for £25, or a £3 bottle of perfume for £45. I dare say picture dealers selling paintings for hundreds of thous, or millions, will be OK!
http://www.nbloom.com
Karine
August 20, 2012
Thank you so much for raising awareness. Let’s hope things turn out to be fair for the galleries.
Editors
August 25, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19342657
22nd August 2012 BBC News
Cork Street in Mayfair is known among art dealers and collectors for its galleries which date back nearly a century and which helped the careers of the likes of Francis Bacon and Paul Klee.
Now, a third of the galleries may have to leave to make way for a housing development, jeopardising the street’s privileged status within the art world.
Editors
August 25, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/aug/20/mayfair-art-galleries-under-threat?newsfeed=true
The Guardian 20th August
Editors
August 25, 2012
http://art-antiques-design.com/2012/08/23/cork-street-native-land-statement/
23rd August 2012
Native land statement
Editors
August 29, 2012
http://www.amcorp.com.my/html/details.aspx?ID=78&Type=News
Editors
September 5, 2012
http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2012/aug/28/cork-street-galleries-face-uncertain-future/