Algonquin Hotel

Algonquin Hotel
The hotel's main facade, made of brick and stone, as seen from the street
Main facade of the hotel as seen from across 44th Street
Map
EtymologyAlgonquian peoples
Hotel chainMarriott International
General information
TypeHotel
Architectural styleRenaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts
Address59 West 44th Street
Town or cityManhattan, New York
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°45′21″N 73°58′56.4″W / 40.75583°N 73.982333°W / 40.75583; -73.982333
Construction started1901
OpenedNovember 22, 1902
Renovated1947, 1989, 1997–1998, 2002–2004, 2008, 2012, 2022
OwnerCornerstone Real Estate Advisors
Height136 feet (41 m)
Technical details
Floor count12
Lifts/elevators2
Design and construction
Architect(s)Goldwin Starrett
DeveloperPuritan Realty Company
Main contractorThompson–Starrett Co.
Known forAlgonquin Round Table
Other information
Number of rooms156
Number of suites25
Website
Official website

The Algonquin Hotel is a hotel at 59 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. The 181-room hotel, opened in 1902, was designed by architect Goldwin Starrett for the Puritan Realty Company. The hotel has hosted numerous literary and theatrical notables throughout its history, including members of the Algonquin Round Table club during the early 20th century. Its first owner-manager, Frank Case, established many of the hotel's traditions, including an official hotel cat as well as discounts for struggling authors. The hotel is a New York City designated landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The hotel building is mostly twelve stories high, except for the extreme western end, which is three stories high. The first two stories of the facade are made of rusticated limestone blocks, while the upper stories have a Renaissance Revival brick facade, with limestone, metal, and terracotta details inspired by the Beaux-Arts style. When the hotel opened, it contained a large restaurant and a smaller cafe, which later became the Oak Room cabaret. The annex contains the Blue Bar on its ground story, while the upper stories were formerly used as a clubhouse.

Although the Algonquin was originally intended as an apartment hotel, it had few long-term tenants. Frank Case leased the hotel in 1907 and converted it into a traditional lodging establishment, attracting many theatrical and literary guests. Case bought the hotel in 1927 and continued to operate it until his death in 1946. Ben Bodne bought the hotel from Case's estate and operated it for another four decades. The Algonquin then passed to the Aoki Corporation in 1987, the Camberley Hotel Company in 1997, Miller Global Properties in 2002, and HEI Hospitality in 2005, undergoing a renovation every time it was sold. The Algonquin became part of the Marriott International chain's Autograph Collection brand in 2010, and it was sold to MassMutual subsidiary Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors in 2011.