A Design Miracle

Houston designer faces a reality TV challenge: Stage a $2.25 million Tribecaloft with no budget

The 1,800 square foot apartment overlooking New York's Hudson River was stagedfor an open house by Houston's Lucinda Loya.
Two days was all the time allotted to dress up the $2.25 million apartment, thestudy seen here.
Lucinda and Javier Loya at the open house in Tribeca.
Halstead real estate agents Julie Cushman, left, and Ivana Tagliamonte were allsmiles at the decorative results.
Anna Robinson, from left, Alton LaDay and Mary Catherine McGarvey at the openhouse. The women own McGarvey Robinson Design, based in Brooklyn.

When New York City-based Halstead Property agents Julie Cushman (originally from Houston) and Ivana Tagliamonte were approached by HGTV Selling New York producers to showcase one of their properties, the women were beyond thrilled. And then challenged.

They had the listing on an 1,800 square foot Tribeca loft with stunning views of the Hudson River — just right for the popular reality show. But the $2.25 million property was bare bones empty. They had to have it staged (decorated in layman's language) for an open house that was less than a week away.

So with cameras rolling, they called on Lucinda Loya, whose interior design business extends from home base in Houston to Manhattan and points beyond. (A long-time family friend, Cushman was the agent that found the spectacular place that Lucinda and Javier Loya purchased as their New York residence.) The challenge was on.

"I pulled some little creative tricks. We had blow-up mattresses on the beds!"

"I finished this apartment in two days with zero budget," Loya said. "I don't mean a limited budget. I mean no budget." Quite the change from the four other projects she has in New York, projects with serious dollars available for decorating.

The HGTV producers were not convinced that she could pull off this design miracle in the limited time frame — two days to line up resources and two days to collect furnishings and install. But they didn't know Loya's tenacity, energy level or ability to function with little sleep. Or her contacts. Alton LaDay, who handles public relations for the Houston Design Center where Lucinda offices, helped out with his NYC contacts.

Loya lined up furniture and accessories from Lillian August and several pieces from Kravet. Some of it was purchased, some on loan and some pieces rented for the open house.

"It was a blast, just a whirlwind for us," Loya said. "We had three carts filled at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Twice we did that, picking up bedding and linens."

When the job was completed, expenses totaled close to $50,000.

"We made it really look fabulous. I pulled some little creative tricks. We had blow-up mattresses on the beds!" she said. "It was crazy and to tell the truth it was a difficult project . . . The best thing the loft had going for it was the view."

Loya reports that the HGTV producers loved the results and the show will air in September.

unspecified series568664038

be well

3 hot wellness studios move swiftly into new Heights development

Courtesy of Radom Capital

The Swift BLDG is expected to open in late 2026.

A new mixed-use development in the Heights has announced its next round of tenants. Three wellness businesses are coming to The Swift BLDG, Houston developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners’ project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.

They are:

SweatHouz, a contrast therapy studio
Strong Pilates Studio
The Skin Clinic, a Houston-based aesthetics and skincare destination

Scheduled to open in winter 2026, SweatHouz will offer infrared saunas, cold plunges, and other protocols to improve a person’s well-being. The protocols are focused on areas such as athletic recovery, reducing stress, improving circulation, mental health, and longevity. In addition, it will offer a beauty bar equipped with Dyson hot tolls and a beverage station stocked with different waters.

Building on the success of its Katy location that opened last year, Strong Pilates Studio will occupy 2,500 square feet in the Swift BLDG. Using Rowformer and Bikeformer machines, customers have the opportunity to take classes in Strong Body, Strong Loaded, and Strong Pilates-Only. It’s expected to open in the fall.

“Our method blends strength, cardio, and reformer-based training into one, delivering real results in just 45 minutes. This isn’t just Pilates — it’s a new standard for fitness in Houston. And a community that sweats together stays strong,” franchisee Mona Hussein-Zaki said in a statement.

Currently located in M-K-T, the Skin Clinic will more than double its footprint by relocated to the Swift BLDG. The clinic’s services focus on skin health and rejuvenation. It also expected to open in the fall.

“The response from this community has been incredible, and Swift gives us the room to grow into what our patients have been asking for: more space, more services, and the same patient-centered care that got us here." founder Kelli Nwuli said.

All three businesses join previously announced tenants such as Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, premium juice bar Leemoo, Merit Coffee, and Houston Tex-Mex staple Escalante’s.

On track to open to the public in fall 2026, The Swift BLDG will offer more than 30,000 square feet of office space along with 30,000 square feet of restaurant and retail tenants. The two companies previously partnered on M-K-T, the Heights mixed-use development that’s near the Swift project. Radom is known for a number of other Houston developments, including the Montrose Collective and the historic Tower Theater property and its adjacent buildings.

openings the-heights