Phaidon, the London and New York–based publisher of books on the creative arts, has acquired the Monacelli Press, which publishes illustrated books on architecture, design, and the arts.
Under Phaidon, the Monacelli Press will continue as a separate imprint and brand, and all staff will relocate to Phaidon’s office in New York City. The acquisition includes Monacelli Studio, the applied arts imprint focused on art instruction, photography technique, and crafts launched in 2015. Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
“The Monacelli Press’s portfolio is an exciting opportunity to accelerate our growth and expand into new categories where they have excelled for the past twenty-five years,” Keith Fox, CEO of Phaidon, said in a statement. “The acquisition reinforces our commitment to publish the most distinguished authors and create highly designed and edited books that inspire generations of readers.”
The Monacelli Press was founded in 1994 by Gianfranco Monacelli. Following the release of its inaugural title S,M,L,XL by Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau, in 1995, the publisher went on to release more than 400 books on architecture, fine arts, interior design, landscape and gardens, photography, and graphic design. Monacelli's stable of authors includes architects Robert A.M. Stern, Henry N. Cobb, Rafael Moneo, SHoP, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; interior designers Thomas Jayne, Ellie Cullman, Suzanne Tucker, and Matthew Patrick Smyth; and landscape designers Piet Oudolf, Michael Van Valkenburgh, Raymond Jungles, Edmund Hollander, and Kate Orff.
Monacelli was previously acquired by Random House in 2008, but was purchased back by Gianfranco Monacelli, in 2011.
“I am delighted that Phaidon will be the new owner of the Monacelli Press,” Gianfranco Monacelli said in a statement. “After twenty-five years of publishing influential books that have challenged the conventions of traditional publishing, I cannot think of a better company than Phaidon to carry on our program of provocative and essential titles, and to take the Press to the next level.”
