Sotheby's headquarters

Visitors to Sotheby’s York Avenue headquarters this week will find three sheets of paper taped to the front doors explaining why the doorman is missing, the lobby is devoid of bodies and the escalator isn’t running:

“Building will be closed to the public from 6/29/09-7/6/09.”

The operator answering Sotheby’s main phone line explained, “The whole building is closed and all the business offices are closed for the week.” Emails  and phone calls to the press office weren’t returned.

Sotheby’s had previously announced plans for a week-long furlough as part of a cost-cutting regime and it appears to be underway.

Update: A Sotheby’s spokesman emailed July 1 explaining that “staff will be paid during the week,’” but that a December week-long closing will be unpaid.