The St. Regis Hotel will be literally dazzling next week when both Cartier and Wayne Smith Jewels relocate to the posh hotel on the edge of River Oaks. Houston-based Wayne Smith opens its luxury doors on Wednesday while Cartier rolls out its signature red carpet on Friday.
The Cartier move from the Galleria was announced earlier this month while Wayne Smith has been planning his move from Uptown Park for several months — ever since Uptown Park's owner, AmReit, announced a $1.2 billion redevelopment of the swank center.
Smith emailed, "As you may know, Uptown Park is about to undergo a rebirth. I don't have the stomach for it so am looking forward to our new digs immensely!"
The certified gemologist had said earlier that he was not interested in trying to conduct his luxury business in the midst of a construction site, while low-rise buildings are being replaced with high-rise structures. Construction on the first new building in Uptown Park is tentatively scheduled to begin later this year, with more planned over the next decade.
Smith's new space in the St. Regis was the original site of Carlos Falchi, when the hotel opened as the Remington. Bulgari moved into the space, just to the right of the main entrance, when the property was taken over by Ritz-Carlton.
(Coincidentally, Smith was with Cartier for five years before going out on his own and opening Circa Antiques and Estate Jewelry on Post Oak Boulevard in 1991. He moved to Uptown three and a half years ago.)
Wayne Smith Jewels is known for its collection of estate jewelry and large diamonds as well as for redesign and custom pieces, a favorite among many of the city's A-listers. Smith will offer validated valet parking at the new location.
Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs, seen here at a Wayne Smith Jewels party, are valued cllients.
