zadok's new empire
Beloved Houston jewelers announce sparkling Uptown transformation
The beloved Zadok Jewelers, long known to Houstonians as the go-to spot for chic, be-seen-in pieces, is kicking its glam level up a notch — and is set to rejuvenate its Uptown space all in one move.
The company has announced it will break ground on what would be a transformation of Uptown's Boulevard shopping address, refashioning about one-and-a-half acres of the space at 1801 Post Oak, next door to its current operations.
The site work is now being prepared for a new mixed-use development that will not only be a new home for Zadok's retail operations, but will also incorporate 11,000 square feet for two restaurant spaces. Texas-based, nationally-acclaimed Michael Hsu Office of Architecture will design the five-story, 112,000-square-foot endeavor.
Groundbreaking is set for this August, with an opening set for next year. When it's finished, it will be the culmination of a longtime dream for the family-owned business: owning its own showroom in the upscale center.
“Since purchasing this prime parcel, we’ve carefully considered numerous partnership opportunities ranging from luxury hotels to office towers and also weighed many of our own ideas for what this site should be," said Dror Zadok in a press release. “We believe the scale and quality are very much in keeping with this stretch of Post Oak Blvd. and truly complement the world-class neighborhood that Uptown Houston has become.”
Zadok opened the jewelry store with his wife Helene in 1976. Today, all three of the couple's sons — Jonathan, Segev, and Gilad — are G.I.A. graduate gemologists and, since joining Zadok Jewelers, have propelled its growth into what is the largest family-run business of its kind in the city.
The new project will occupy Gerald Hines’ former Post Oak Row strip center, which the Zadok family acquired directly from the developer in 2011. Hsu's design folds seamlessly into the current Post Oak character, creating strong pedestrian connectivity to reimagined, tree-framed sidewalks and soon-to-debut transit lane. Parking is hidden behind a multi-faceted façade.
Street-level plans call for a 26-foot-high drive-thru arcade. On one side, shoppers will see the bi-level, 26,000-square-foot Zadok Jewelers store, which is nearly double the size of the current store. On the other side of the arcade will be double-height restaurant spaces with patios.
Increasing the luxe factor even further, the arcade will incorporate retail entrances, have valet pick up and drop off, and a concierge lobby for three floors and 68,000 square feet of boutique offices overhead. The exterior will feature native Texas cut stone, and the restaurant spaces will sport multi-colored brick offsetting a sleek glass curtain wall for the office levels.
Shoppers already know that Zadok is a name synonymous with careful curation and impeccable taste. The store's new digs will likely further cement that reputation.