Located in New York city's Theater District, the historic Algonquin Hotel was founded in 1902 and quickly became a luxurious, yet comfortable hub for writers and actors. The recent renovation by Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates sought to "make the hotel look the same but feel better," according to General Manager Anthony Melchiorri. "If you sit on it, walk on it or touch it, we restored it or renewed it." The restoration included a wholesale update of the 174 guest rooms and 24 suites, with new furnishings and decor including Silhouette window shadings by Hunter Douglas. Paired with traditional draperies, the sheer shadings filter light to control glare and enhance privacy with easy-to-close fabric vanes. The project was a finalist for the hospitality industry's Gold Key Award for design, and has been named "one of America's 10 best historic hotels" by Historic Traveler Magazine.