Lockhart Steele: The Entrepreneurial Journey from Phish Fan to Vox Media
Lockhart Steele is a digital media pioneer whose career trajectory reflects the evolution of the modern blog into a multi-million dollar publishing empire. From self-publishing niche guides in college to managing a network of high-traffic sites, Steele's approach to content has consistently focused on the intersection of local culture and digital accessibility.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Raised in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, Steele developed an early aptitude for curation and publishing. He graduated from St. Paul's School in 1992 and subsequently earned his degree from Brown University.
During his senior year at Brown, Steele collaborated with a classmate to self-publish The Pharmer's Almanac, a comprehensive compendium dedicated to the band Phish. The publication gained significant traction among the band's international fanbase, eventually seeing five printed editions before being acquired by Penguin Press.
The Rise of Curbed and Digital Publishing
In February 2001, Steele relocated to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He launched a personal blog focusing on the social scene of New York City. Over the next three years, the site evolved, gaining popularity primarily through its coverage of New York real estate, apartments, and restaurants, eventually reaching 3,000 daily page views.
In May 2004, Steele transitioned these real estate posts to a dedicated platform, Curbed.com. By early 2005, he left his editorial position at the real estate magazine Cottages & Gardens to commit fully to blogging.
Steele's influence expanded as he became the managing editor at Gawker Media, a company renowned for its successful blogging business model. In this role, he managed 11 different blogs, including prominent media gossip sites based in New York and Washington.
Diversification and the Vox Media Acquisition
As his network grew, Steele recognized the value of niche specialization. He split Curbed's content into separate, focused entities: restaurant coverage moved to Eater.com in 2005, and shopping content moved to Racked.com in 2007.
This strategy of creating specialized vertical sites culminated in late 2013 when Vox Media purchased Steele's sites. The acquisition price, while undisclosed, was estimated to be between $20 million and $30 million in a combination of cash and stock.
Key Facts
- Education: Graduate of St. Paul's School (1992) and Brown University.
- First Major Success: Co-authored The Pharmer's Almanac, later sold to Penguin Press.
- Core Ventures: Founded Curbed, Eater, and Racked.
- Management Experience: Former managing editor at Gawker Media, overseeing 11 blogs.
- Exit: Sold his network to Vox Media in 2013 for an estimated $20–$30 million.
| Year | Milestone/Entity | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | St. Paul's School | Graduation |
| Senior Year (Brown) | The Pharmer's Almanac | Self-published Phish guide sold to Penguin Press |
| 2001 | Personal Blog | Started NYC social scene reporting |
| 2004 | Curbed.com | Launched dedicated real estate blog |
| 2005 | Eater.com | Spin-off for restaurant content |
| 2007 | Racked.com | Spin-off for shopping content |
| 2013 | Vox Media | Acquisition of sites for $20–$30 million |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was The Pharmer's Almanac?
It was a self-published compendium about the band Phish, created by Lockhart Steele and a classmate during their senior year at Brown University. It became a primary resource for the band's international followers and was eventually sold to Penguin Press.
How did Curbed.com start?
Curbed began when Steele moved his popular New York real estate and restaurant posts from his personal blog to a dedicated domain in May 2004.
What role did Steele play at Gawker Media?
Steele served as the managing editor at Gawker Media, where he was responsible for managing 11 different blogs, including media gossip sites in Washington and New York.
Which sites were spun off from Curbed?
Steele split Curbed's restaurant-related posts into Eater.com in 2005 and its shopping-related posts into Racked.com in 2007.
How much was the Vox Media acquisition worth?
While the exact price was undisclosed, the acquisition of Steele's sites by Vox Media in late 2013 was valued between $20 million and $30 million in cash and stock.