In a Jan. 14 news release, officials with the popular art museum announced the on-campus Menil Bookstore will undergo renovations starting in spring 2026.

What's happening?

The updated shop is expected to feature an expanded interior, an enhanced backyard with shaded seating and public restrooms for the museum's green spaces.

The multi-year project will be led by the design team of KinneyMorrow Architecture and will include:
  • An expanded bookstore interior, allowing the shop to offer a larger selection of titles
  • A large back-of-house area to support storage and bookstore operations
  • A landscaped backyard with tree-shaded seating
  • The addition of a nearby, air-conditioned, freestanding public restroom
As of Jan. 16, the bookstore is closed and during construction will temporarily operate next door at 1524 Sul Ross St., Houston.

Per the release, select items will also be available for purchase online.


About the museum

The Menil Collection was founded in 1987 by philanthropists and art patrons John and Dominique de Menil. The museum consists of art buildings and green spaces and showcases a variety of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs and rare books.

The bookstore opened shortly after the museum opened and has served as an amenity for visitors and scholars, providing a range of art books, scholarly publications, exhibition catalogues, children's books and other Menil-related items, according to the release.