Sotheby’s Opens New Gallery in DIFC With Art & Collector Cars

Sotheby’s has opened a new gallery in Dubai International Financial Centre, bringing everything from contemporary art and rare watches to high jewellery, designer handbags and collectible cars into one space.

Located at Gate Village Building 10, the gallery opened to the public on October 29th, marking 10 years since Sotheby’s established its first official gallery in the UAE. Floor-to-ceiling windows open the space onto DIFC, while bronze, antique brass and walnut details run throughout the interiors. There’s also a dedicated area for rare automobiles, with different cars set to rotate through the gallery over time.

The inaugural exhibition spans several collecting categories. A selection of contemporary works on loan from Dubai-based collector Elie Khouri includes pieces by Amoako Boafo, George Condo, Stanley Whitney, Günther Förg and Alighiero Boetti.

Elsewhere, the display leans firmly into the kind of objects you might expect to see locked behind glass - three Patek Philippe watches, a 1939 Cartier necklace set with Burmese rubies and diamonds, and a rare Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya among them. Several pieces are also available for private sale.

Cars get their own moment too. A 1971 Surtees TS9B Formula 1 car, driven by John Surtees and Mike Hailwood and offered for private sale through RM Sotheby’s, is on display alongside a selection of high-performance bicycles. One highlight is a Colnago for Ferrari created to mark the carmaker’s 60th anniversary.

The opening comes as Sotheby’s reports growing participation from collectors across the Middle East, with regional bidding up by nearly 70% over the past five years. In 2025, almost 45% of Middle Eastern bidders were new to the auction house, while more than 30% were under 40.

The gallery forms part of Sotheby’s expanding regional programme, which also includes a return to Abu Dhabi on December 9th and 10th for Collectors’ Week and the emirate’s first international fine art auction.

Sotheby’s Dubai is open Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM at Gate Village Building 10, Podium Level, Unit 3, DIFC.