A unique minimalist house, designed specifically for displaying artwork, is currently on the market in Mayfair, London, with an asking price of £6.75 million. The property, located at 2 Hays Mews, was originally revamped into its current form in 1987 by minimalist architect John Pawson upon commission from art collector Doris Lockhart Saatchi, the first wife of advertising mogul Charles Saatchi.
The house was envisaged and remodeled to showcase Doris Lockhart Saatchi's private contemporary art collection, which included pieces from notable artists like Damien Hirst. The property features minimalist design characteristics typical of Pawson’s work, including white walls, grey polished stone floors, full-height windows, and built-in minimalist furniture designed to reduce clutter. This includes the property’s handle-free front door and integrated stainless-steel kitchen fixtures.
After Doris Lockhart Saatchi, the house was sold in 2000 to Ralph I. Goldenberg, a financial trader and art collector from Chicago, for £1.95 million. Goldenberg cherished the symbiotic relationship between the minimalist architecture and his extensive art collection, which includes works from prominent artists such as Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol.
Following Goldenberg's death in 2022, the house, along with his art collection, has been put up for sale by his estate. The art collection is scheduled for auction at Sotheby's on June 25 and 26, preceded by a public exhibition from June 19 to 24 at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries, designed to reflect the aesthetic of the Hays Mews property.
This property not only presents a significant piece of architectural history in Mayfair but also continues to stand as a testament to its role as a private gallery space designed for art connoisseurs.