Founded in London in 1796, Phillips Auctioneers has become a leading force in the global contemporary art market. When the time came to establish a premier presence in New York City, the goal was clear: create a refined, flexible space where the architecture elevates the art, not competes with it.

Design Republic reimagined the existing structure to meet this vision, strategically removing floor area to double the gallery’s ceiling height. This bold intervention offered essential verticality and light—providing both artworks and visitors the room to breathe. Overhead, a series of second-floor auction boxes were introduced, offering private viewing areas that maintain a visual and emotional connection to the dynamic energy of the auction floor below.

The resulting space is intentionally restrained—quiet, elegant, and wholly in service of the art it presents. Through comprehensive architectural and interior design services, we enabled Phillips to focus on their passion for curation and collecting, while we ensured the setting rose to meet it.