putting on the ritz

Award-winning designer dishes on Houston's new Ritz-Carlton high-rise

Houstonians have been long overdue for the return of a Ritz-Carlton Hotel to the city skyline — the original rebranded as The St. Regis in 1997 (reopening next year as The Houston Grand Hotel - River Oaks). Thankfully, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences is coming to 2120 Post Oak Boulevard in 2029.

Developed by Deiso Moss and constructed by Harvey Cleary, the 45-story limestone-clad, Pickard Chilton-designed tower was loosely-based by the Art Deco-era Gulf Building downtown and is planned to feature The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a full-service property with 156 guest rooms and suites, alongside 112 bespoke branded residences available for whole ownership.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences will occupy floors 19 through 45, offering 13 floor plans ranging from 2,361 to 9,000-square feet of luxury living space, with prices starting at $3 million. Residents who appreciate anonymity will be pleased to know that a double-gated carport and 10-foot privacy-wall will surround the exterior approach, and each residence will have a dedicated foyer off of the elevators.

The residences will offer all of the amenities one has come to expect from buildings of this caliber: organic materials such as the best marbles and hardwoods, top-notch appliances, private loggias pre-plumbed for outdoor kitchens and pet-stations, pools, wellness suites and spas, ballrooms, discreetly-designed outdoor barbecue areas, a golf simulator — all the creature comforts its well-heeled buyers will appreciate.

While “Ima Hogg, Glenn McCarthy, and Dominique de Menil walk into a bar” may sound like the beginnings of a fanciful joke, acclaimed architect and interior designer Lauren Rottet cites the trio as the inspiration for the Bayou City-inspired interiors of the luxury high-rise. Rottet and her team at Rottet Studio approached the property as an expression of Houston’s layered identity. Inspired by the city’s historic post oak canopy and the green parklands along Buffalo Bayou, Rottet integrated warm woods, limestone, marble, and bronze accents to create a setting that balances contemporary luxury with a distinctly regional character.

CultureMap spoke with Rottet during the unveiling of the development’s $5 million purpose-built private sales gallery to learn more about her inspired-design for what is already being referred to as “The Crown Jewel of Texas.”

Conceived as a true extension of the future tower, the gallery integrates curated architectural elements and material selections consistent with those specified for the project, providing a tangible preview of the residences’ design language and finish level. Dedicated installations within the gallery highlight the private amenity collection, anchored by a discreet residential arrival experience, indoor and outdoor pools, and a comprehensive wellness program, alongside full access to the hotel’s dining, cultural, and spa offerings.

Upon entering the gallery, prospective homeowners are met by intricately-detailed oak herringbone floors that will reside in the foyer of each residence. Agatha Black, Bardiglio, and Statuary-White marbles feature throughout the space, as well as rift-cut oak wall paneling and hand-painted linen wall coverings.

Notably, the wall coverings are creations by Maksim Koloskov, an architect at Rottet Studio. Those familiar with the ceiling in Ralph’s Bar at The Crescent Hotel in Dallas will recognize his work. Rottet explains that having Koloskov in her employ as both an architect and artist benefits everyone: “It’s actually less expensive for the owner, it’s great for him because he makes good money, and [the artwork] is exactly what I want — it’s fabulous,” she says.

While an abundance of wooden paneling can read as outdated or even stuffy, Rottet’s decision to implement rift-cuts allows for a contemporary flair that will remain decidedly timeless. Flat-cutting is what gives traditional paneling that knotty, heart-plagued characteristic which tends to turn people off from it — a quality that is conspicuously absent from the oak paneling being cut for the Ritz-Carlton.

“It’s interesting,” muses Rottet. “People love wood, but they don’t want a lot of character and nature in the wood. This is very much contemporary. Although this looks, in a sense, old world or traditional, it’s a little quieter. It’s still wood, it’s still beautiful, but it’s not as busy or older looking.”

Some buyers may wonder, with such an abundance of oak used in the building — herringbone installations, six-foot planks, and floor-to-ceiling paneling — what’s the environmental impact?

“Oak is a very sustainable wood,” explains Rottet. “The mahoganies and some of the other woods are a little less forest-friendly. This oak is forested well, and this is all a sustainable oak — it’s all from the right farms.”

Rottet has designed the bulk of the furnishings for the space, as she will for the hotel and residential shared spaces like the library — some bespoke, some from her private line, and lighting from her collection with Visual Comfort. The sofas and rugs in the library and opposite concierge space were designed with movement in mind — think sleek curvature and varying degrees of height. Rottet explains that these common spaces are all about “being alone, together.”

“These rooms are about wrapping you, cradling you, and making you feel comfortable; not just a straight, hard edge,” says Rottet. “It’s loosely of the bayou, of the land, of the water. Houston is very languid and fluid. Houston has a more New Orleans climate than a Texas climate, so I like to think of the flowing spaces and the water. A lot of the design I do — and particularly here — has to do with visual movement. I don’t like for an interior space to feel static. That’s why this is so free and open, and beautiful. I’m always doing things to make it feel visually active.”

The residences are available in three different style and material packages, and Rottet is happy to help provide a turnkey design if a buyer chooses to have her finish out their space entirely. After designing 55 hotels, who better? With stunning Art Deco architecture, luxuriously-timeless interiors, plus elegant green spaces, Rottet says it best of all: “There will be newer buildings in Houston, but there will never be a better one.”

Sales are being conducted by private appointment through Redeavor Group. To learn more about the project, please visit rcresidenceshouston.com.

Ritz-Carlton Residences exterior rendering

Rendering courtesy of The Boundary/Ritz-Carlton Residences Houston

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences will debut in the fall of 2029.

high-rises hotels home-design architecture

Marburger Farm updated

Round Top's 43-acre antique show unveils renovations for spring 2026

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that the only constant in life is change. Since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show, which typically closes out both the spring and fall editions of the Round Top Antiques & Design Show, has largely remained unchanged. As enthusiastic Marburger tailgaters listen for that opening triangle to ring, everyone has their well-established and particular beeline-paths prepared in advance. But this year, change is a’comin’.

When the fall show closed last October, Marburger began a huge renovation project that included the full restoration of its historic buildings, including the original Marburger Farmhouse, Legler House, Coufal House, Zieger House, Silver Dollar Saloon, Gulf Warehouse, Dance Hall, Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, and the General Store. Notably, the restoration has made it possible to add heating and air conditioning to these structures.

New additions debuting this spring include The Canteen, which is a large food pavilion overlooking the previously-underutilized pond; The Parlor, a design showcase space; a live music stage; enhanced pathways; and a communal green space designed for gathering and celebration. Over the summer, the addition of two large climate-controlled sheds and updated seating and lounge areas throughout the grounds will complete the project.

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“This is a much more intentional undertaking to really breathe life into those buildings,” Marburger CEO John Sughrue tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be very obvious — when on the property — what we’ve done. The vision for what we’re doing was establishing a greater sense of place, and a greater sense of community.”

While fans may worry that these improvements may impact the charming and rustic aesthetic that shoppers have come to expect at Marburger, the overall experience should remain the same. Once randomly strewn across the 43-acre property, the historic structures have been gathered together around a newly-hardscaped central square. New green spaces are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia, the layout inspired by the Texas Courthouse Square. At one end, the western-facing pavilion will overlook the pond and rolling hills, and adjacent to that, the familiar 90,000-square-feet of tented shopping remain unchanged.

“One thing that is apparent about Marburger is that people have a real sense of connection with it, a sense of history, and take a personal interest in it,” says Sughrue. “You’ll see that in the level of craftsmanship, the placemaking, and how we have, in essence, redeveloped the existing historical buildings.”

One of the things Sughrue is enthusiastic about is the ability to participate in the winter show, as well as inviting exhibitors who left for climate-controlled venues to return home to Marburger. Improved facilities for their local and beloved food and beverage vendors make for expanded offerings and shorter lines — a notion sure to please even the most staunch Marburger purists.

“We are trying very much to maintain the Texas heritage of Marburger,” Sughrue says. “I consider us guardians or stewards of the brand. I consider Marburger a brand like Blue Bell Ice Cream or the State Fair of Texas. There is something very much rooted in the land, very much rooted in how generations now have engaged with Marburger and in Round Top. We are trying to hold tight to being a heritage brand, while positioning for the future — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Sughrue is all too aware of some of the sentiments that were shared five years ago when Marburger was purchased by “these Dallas guys” [real estate development firm Brook Partners]. In the last four years, they have listened to vendors and guests alike to learn how they can improve the show experience for their core audience: top exhibitors, designers, architects, and vendors. While he finds the relatively-recent glitterati element in Round Top to be amusing, it’s not something he’s interested in attracting or catering to specifically. So, everyone can let out a sigh of relief on that concern.

“These are designers who come into Round Top, and to Marburger in particular, and they are very important to our success. We attract some of the best exhibitors in the country, if not the world,” explains Sughrue. “Day one they meet with designers who have flown in from all over the country. Our focus is being a resource to those designers and architects — that’s what’s driving our business. We are not a lifestyle offering, and we are not trying to be all things to all people.”

At the end of the day, Sughrue’s overall goal is connecting the best exhibitors to the best buyers. “Everything else that happens in Round Top is just noise.” He loves the generational aspect of Marburger, oftentimes noticing three generations shopping together in the tents.

“Y’all make a tough crowd, I’ll tell you that,” Sughrue says with a laugh. “I think we are going to get more of it right than wrong, and what we get wrong — we are going to listen very hard to people — we are going to make that right. I promise you that. Marburger captivates me. It just devours all of my time and attention, but how lucky am I?! All these issues surround purpose-driven lives, and we get to work on Marburger to bring a community of people together to celebrate design, antiques, Texas. It’s like the American Dream is alive and well on the Round Top fields during Marburger. It’s just an incredible collection of people.”

Visit the refreshed Marburger Farms from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, March 28. Purchase tickets at marburgerfarm.com.

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

marburger farm round top shopping