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Luxury international bookseller and publisher Assouline is to open a new store in London’s Piccadilly.
The company, which claims to sell “the most sophisticated books in the world” specializes in high-end fashion and beauty, lifestyle, art and photography coffee table books and will set up in 196a Piccadilly, a building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and let by Westminster Council.
Maison Assouline, France’s largest independent publisher, is owned by a former French model Martine Assouline and her husband Prosper [pictured].
Martine Assouline said: “Assouline is proud to establish its first international flagship in London, the ultimate destination to experience the best of luxury lifestyle. Maison Assouline will be happy to celebrate the quintessence of culture in one of the most unique historical settings of Piccadilly Circus soon.”
The building has formerly housed the Midland Bank headquarters and the Hauser and Wirth gallery.
Guy Slocombe, Westminster City Council’s head of investment, said: “We are delighted to have agreed terms with such an exciting new tenant who will add positively to the vibrancy and tenant mix of this important retail location. The St James’s area is undergoing a real renaissance – it will now be able to say it has one of the most sophisticated book shops in the world.”
Piccadilly is also the site of the flagship Waterstones store and Hatchards.
An opening date is yet to be confirmed.
The company also has stores in New York, California, Istanbul, Lima Peru, Seoul Korea and in Claridges, London.