Last Thursday, Nov. 18, Alex Calderwood, the co-founder of hip hotel brand Ace Hotel, was found dead in a room at London’s Ace Hotel, according to this report from the Daily Beast.
Calderwood was influential in launching the vintage-inspired, quirky hotel brand that often housed locally produced artwork, reclaimed furnishings, and record players in guestrooms. He started the company with Wade Weigel, and Doug Herrick in 1999 by refurbishing a halfway house in Seattle’s arts district and grew Ace to be successful in destinations including New York, London, Palm Springs, Calif., and Portland, Ore. The chain is also gearing up for an opening in Los Angeles in January.
Company spokesman, Ryan Bukstein told the London Evening Standard: “His humility, spirit of collaboration and tireless work ethic has influenced our family at Atelier Ace and creatives across the globe. We all plan to continue moving forward with the ideals Alex championed so naturally. We are all in mourning.”
The cause of death has not been revealed, but Calderwood did struggle with alcohol and drug abuse during his life. He was 47 years old.
