
Hotel AKA Alexandria Nods to its Historic Surroundings
2023 Best of Year Winner for Domestic Hotel Transformation
Piero Lissoni, an Interior Design Hall of Fame member and master of all genres, adds yet another to his portfolio: his debut U.S. hotel. Located in charming Old Town, Alexandria, just minutes from downtown D.C., Hotel AKA Alexandria melds Italian élan with regional historicism. The architect’s New York studio touched every aspect of the property, from the existing facade, updated with new glazing and chic anthracite paint, to the surrounding landscape, now totally transformed—not to mention design of all public and private interiors encompassing 150,790 square feet. Lissoni’s signature move is the dramatic darkened-steel staircase connecting reception and terrace. Strictly unique, though, is the hotel’s galleryesque vibe. Adorning the lobby are artworks specially mounted on custom screens, which serve as a cocooning backdrop to contemporary furnishings from such upscale Italian sources as Porro, Living Divani, and Kartell.


See Interior Design’s Best of Year Winners and Honorees
Explore must-see projects and innovative products that took home high honors.





PROJECT TEAM
piero lissoni; stefano giussani; christine napoli; stephanie rieger; tania zaneboni; roberto berticelli; giacomo lattanzio.
read more
Projects
Houston’s Brava Tower Blends Newspaper History with Modern Luxury
Peek inside this 46-story apartment building by MaRS Culture and Munoz + Albin Architecture & Planning referencing its newspaper origins.
Projects
HOK Updates Terminal 5 At Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Relax at Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 5, where HOK’s serene design features circadian lighting and quiet mechanical systems to calm anxious flyers.
Projects
With Mediterranean Sea Views, This Home Is An Architectural Gem
Pitsou Kedem Architects wraps this Tel Aviv-Jaffa townhouse in terra-cotta masonry, echoing the timeless charm of the neighborhood’s historic architecture.
recent stories
Projects
Indulge In This Minimalist Winery With Mountain Views
Chen+Suchart Studio craft a minimalist material palette for Los Milics Vineyards in Elgin, Arizona, that’s equal parts sci-fi and Stonehenge.
Projects
Take A Break At This Open-Air Café In Houston
Grab a snack at the Memorial Park Running Complex Café, designed by Schaum Architects, before exploring the rest of the Houston conservancy.
Projects
This Japanese Sweets Shop Serves Up A Taste Of Tradition
UNC Studio incorporated shoji sliding doors and Kaishi paper motifs to foster a serene environment for Tsuruyachosei Sanneizaka sweets shop in Kyoto.