The Algonquin Hotel Reimagines Its Historic Midtown Retreat

Led by the Brooklyn-based firm CRÈME / Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design, the redesign honors the hotel's long-standing role as a sanctuary for writers and performers. The renovation team focused on maximizing the building's original proportions, utilizing rich walnut, ebonized oak, and charcoal velvet to create intimate, residential spaces. These updates were executed while the hotel remained fully operational, ensuring the historic atmosphere remained undisturbed throughout the construction process.

Central to the new aesthetic is a partnership with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. Each suite features a custom triptych of Hirschfeld’s work, including a gold-leaf illustration of Central Park created exclusively for the hotel. Beyond the rooms, the corridors serve as a curated exhibition of Hirschfeld’s 80-year career, with archival pieces ranging from theater sketches to literary portraits. The attention to detail extends to the room signage, where 181 unique quotes from figures such as Dorothy Parker, Maya Angelou, and The Notorious B.I.G. celebrate the diverse cast of characters who have passed through the lobby since 1902.

General Manager Willis Loughhead noted that the goal was to honor the past without being beholden to it. The design incorporates subtle Art Deco references and jazz-inspired patterns, reflecting the improvisational spirit of the famous Algonquin Round Table. This narrative continues into The Blue Bar Restaurant & Lounge, where new menus and cocktails now feature Hirschfeld’s illustrations, effectively weaving the hotel’s cultural identity into every aspect of the guest experience.