Come this fall, get ready to party on the Bayou. Clark Cooper Concepts (the folks behind popular eateries Ibiza Food and Wine Bar, Brasserie 19, Coppa Osteria, Punk’s Simple Southern Food and soon-to-open SaltAir Seafood Kitchen) along with Buffalo Bayou Partnership (a local non-profit whose mission is to revitalize Buffalo Bayou) are set to launch full-service private event space, The Dunlavy, as early as October.
The sleek, free-standing building, located on the banks of Buffalo Bayou adjacent to Beth Yeshurun Cemetery, encompasses 3,800 square-feet with seating for 130 inside, plus seating for 30 outside on the covered, 850-square foot rear patio.
During a recent tour of the property, which is in the midst of construction, Grant Cooper stressed the idea of leaving the area surrounding the new development in its natural state.
A new Park Visitor Center, which can be converted into extra event space, shares a roof with The Dunlavy. The spacious front lawn, home to Lost Lake, will showcase a large water structure and lush landscaped grounds, perfectly suited for tented events.
The modern glass tree house with floor-to-ceiling windows will boast picturesque views of Buffalo Bayou Park (undergoing a $58 million renovation), the downtown skyline and Lost Lake (a restored pond). The venue will feature French White Oak floors, Spanish wood beams and glamorous Italian and French crystal chandeliers. Crisp gallery-like interiors will serve as a blank slate for a range of events from wedding showers and art installations to fashion shows.
During a recent tour of the property, which is in the midst of construction, Grant Cooper, principal of Clark Cooper Concepts, stressed the idea of leaving the area surrounding the new development in its natural state. "We don’t want to do too much to the space because I think the surroundings speak for themselves," he said. "The trees, the park and the tranquility… it’s peaceful out here, and very relaxing.”
Thanks to an on-site restaurant-grade kitchen, The Dunlavy’s culinary team will serve up West Coast cuisine (think seasonal and vegetable-focused fare) using ingredients from three on-property gardens.
Also in the master plan: The Kitchen at The Dunlavy, a grab-and-go counter service spot located inside the event space, which will be open daily for breakfast and lunch. As well, the restaurant will rent bicycles, complete with baskets to fill with picnic fare from The Dunlavy. And a nearby facility, operated by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, will offer kayak rentals.
Pricing for The Dunlavy is unavailable as of yet, although that hasn’t stopped excited Houstonians from pre-booking. The private event space has already been reserved for a blowout Super Bowl 2017 soiree.
The sleek glass tree house venue boasts floor-to-ceiling windows.
