The Algonquin Hotel (New York City, New York)

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133-foot, 12-story Beaux-Arts hotel completed in 1901. Designed by Goldwin Starrett (of the firm of Starrett & van Vleck), it was originally conceived as a residential hotel but was quickly converted to a traditional lodging establishment. The facade of the building is executed in red brick, with limestone, metal and white terra-cotta detail. At the ground floor, which is five bays wide, segmental-arched doorways appear at the outer bays with two segmental-arched windows flanking the central main entrance. The west doorway has glazed green wooden doors, that at the east is a service entrance. The windows are tripartite with transoms. Canopies and the marquee shelter the doors and windows. Unadorned rectangular panels appear above the four arches to each side of the main entrance. At the 2nd floor, which is also five bays wide, tripartite square-headed windows appear at the 1st & 2nd, 4th & 5th bays. These have central scrolled keystones with festoons. At the center bay are three windows divided by shell and tassel motifs, with a leaf-covered molding above. The bays are interspersed by the console brackets which support the projecting band course above.

The upper floors are of light red brick with prominent keyed limestone bands. The central three windows at each floor are square-headed. The projecting metal bays have a central window and narrower side lights. These angular bays are adorned with panels, floral and urn-like elements. Air conditioner grilles have been placed in some of the panels. A balustrade and two flagpoles appear at the central portion of the facade beneath the 3rd-floor windows.

Above the 10th floor is a dentilled projecting band course on scrolled console brackets. The windows in the outer bays at the 12th floor echo those at the 2nd floor. Between the three central windows at the 11th & 12th floors are panels with roundels and a panel also surmounts the 12th-floor windows. Above are festoons supported by lions' heads and roundels, with floral ornament suspended from them.

The west elevation is faced in parged brick, with no openings except at the central light court (there is a matching light court on the opposite side), which is faced in red brick and has single-windows.

The hotel contains 174 guest rooms. Its first owner-manager, Frank Case (who bought the hotel in 1927), established many of the hotel's traditions. Perhaps its best-known tradition is hosting literary and theatrical notables, most prominently the members of the Algonquin Round Table. The hotel is also known for its resident cat. The first was adopted in 1923, named Billy, and lived in the hotel for 15 years. Subsequent male cats have been named Hamlet, and female cats are named Matilda. The hotel was completely renovated in 2012.

www.AlgonquinHotel.com