From the elevated lanes of the Southwest Freeway, the new Audi Central Houston headquarters looked like a seven-story disco. Inside the spanking new dealership (formerly Momentum Audi), the scene was indeed Studio 54 — with cars.
More than 1,400 ready-to-party revelers poured in for the grand opening bash that spread across all floors of the auto emporium, illuminated indoors and out in swaths of swirling red and lavender lighting. Black-tie attired hosts directed guests to activities on various floors where the party action included DJ Sun and saxophonist Andre Killian, DJ Senega, break dancers and The Dolls, the New York-based DJ and electric violinist duo.
VIPs headed to the second floor garage level where their special status provided access to the oyster bar/cigar lounge where champagne flowed and stogies were hand-rolled on the spot, compliments of Heights Cigar Lounge. Macallan and other premium scotches were poured. Fetching lasses in body-hugging black cocktail dresses circulated through promoting Circulo Tequila. Ligne Roset provided the sleek lounge furnishings where the big spenders rested their wallets.
Moving through the chichi crowd, Jared Lang, Audi Central Houston GM, attired in black-tie, remarked, "It's a who's who of Houston and we're introducing them to the largest Audi dealership in North America." Lang, who has been with Audi for 14 years, added that the new car shop, the perfect party place, has already hosted a number of charity fundraisers and he has more on the books for the coming months.
Across the party floors A Fare Extraordinaire presided over the menu of scrumptious goodies that kept coming and coming — deviled quail eggs, mini duck confit sandwiches, lamb meatballs, ceviche and more. Karen Lerner and her entire team were on hand to insure party perfection. "You can tell it's Jared's dealership," Lerner noted as she surveyed the luxe surroundings and lavish party atmosphere.
Of course, the 300,000 sq.ft. party landscape was furnished with a priceless assembly of magnificent cars ranging from the $198,000 R8 to the Q5 with a starting price of around $37,000. On the service floor, the German autos were mounted on lifts at various heights, the car lights on. A moving visual. In the mix was Yuri Poshumensky, Audi Central Houston assistant sales manager and the top Audi salesman in the world.
Audi sent in the big guns for the ribbon cutting including Audi of America president Scott Keogh, Sonic Automotive president Scott Smith, and Audi executive VP and COO Mark Del Rosso.
Overnight car enthusiasts included Maryam Afshari, Angela and Owen Daniels, Michael Chabala, DeVier Posey, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Pierce Bush, Jacquie Baly, Dr. Yasmine Haddad, Michael Mandola, Claudia Solis, Haden and Dr. Michael Yafi, Stuart Rosenberg, Leisa Holland-Nelson and Robert Davenport and Ceron.
Gabriela Dror, from left, Yasmine Haddad, Jacquie Baly and Sandi Ramirez.
