Alex Calderwood, the Seattle co-founder of the hip Ace Hotel chain, has died in London at age 47.
The company said on its website that Calderwood died Thursday, but released no information about the cause. The statement calls Calderwood "our teacher, mentor, guru and most importantly our dear friend."
In 1999, Calderwood helped launch Seattle's Ace Hotel in a flophouse that formerly served maritime workers. It's renowned for its style, with repurposed furniture, record players and guestroom art by Shepard Fairey.
Ace Hotels later opened in Portland, Oregon; New York; and London, with others scheduled to open in Los Angeles and Panama City, Panama.
Calderwood also started a chain of barbershops called Rudy's in Seattle, with locations now in Los Angeles, New York and Portland, Oregon.
