In 1877, in Bologna, Ettore Castelli founded Ebanisteria Castelli, initially composed of five small artisan workshops specialized in the production of traditional Bolognese furniture. At the beginning of the 20th century, the company became a supplier to several Italian public bodies. Two new factories were opened in Bologna: one in Via Remosella and another in Via Corticella, which would later become the Centro Studi e Progetti.

In the 1920s, Cesare Castelli succeeded his father at the helm of the company and in 1930 consolidated the Via Corticella plant as the sole production site, which remained the group's director until the end of the century, although the production sites subsequently became multiple. A sales branch was opened in Rome and a warehouse in Milan. With the entry of the first chief designer, Antonio Nerozzi, the Centro Studi began to adopt an approach closer to the modern concept of design.

In 1939, Cesare Castelli signed and registered the articles of association of the Anonima Castelli company in Milan, incorporating the Ebanisteria into the new name. During the Second World War, Anonima Castelli adapted its facilities to meet the demands of the state, producing wooden coverings for military vehicles and structures, such as the bodies of transport trucks and prefabricated buildings for the accommodation of soldiers. In 1944, the new Imola plant was destroyed by an air raid, while the Bologna plants remained intact.

At the end of the war on the European front, Cesare Castelli updated his plants with the most advanced technologies for industrial production. Anonima then concentrated on supplies for technical and commercial offices, reception areas and meeting rooms. In 1953, Metalcastelli Spa was founded, dedicated to the production of metal furniture and components and to support the already complete lines for processing wood and its derivatives. Two new production plants were opened: one in Bologna and one in Turin.

In the early 1960s, when Cesare's son Leonida joined the company, Castelli expanded into the North African markets. Antonio Nerozzi led the design team tasked with furnishing the new ministerial buildings in these countries. Under his direction, Paolo Brunetti, an apprentice since 1953, brought four new designers to the company: Giancarlo Piretti, Gino Gamberini, Augusto Quattrino and Roberto Molinazzi. In 1965, when Piretti developed the 106 model and a new department specialized in the study and development of chairs was born: Castelli Chair Division, the company's first venture into living spaces.

In 1972, Castelli participated in the exhibition " Italy: The New Domestic Landscape " at the MoMA in New York, creating the exhibition towers for the museum's rooftop garden. On that occasion, Giancarlo Piretti met Emilio Ambasz, curator of the exhibition, with whom in 1979 he designed the Vertebra chair, which won the Compasso d'Oro two years later. During this period, the company collaborated with several prominent designers, creating products such as Penelope by Charles Randolph Pollock, Dalle Nove alle Cinque by Richard Sapper and the Executive Office series by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche.

In 1988, after a long path of growth and change, Leonida Castelli sold his shares in the company, which were acquired by Giulio Ponzellini, who obtained majority control of the company. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a series of changes in management positions within Castelli, with different leaders taking turns in running the company. This period of transition culminated in 1994, when Castelli was acquired by the US group Haworth. This acquisition marked a new phase for Castelli, opening the doors to new international development.

In 2015, the company passed under the control of the Pavan family and was officially renamed Anonima Castelli Srl. Since then, a dedicated team of designers has been working on the re-edition of the brand's most iconic products. Currently, Anonima Castelli's production plant is located in Fiume Veneto, representing a pivotal point for the production of Italian excellence. Furthermore, the company recently inaugurated a showroom in Milan, on the occasion of Design Week 2024, confirming its commitment to promoting high-quality design.