party watch

Houston real estate icons bid au revoir to a luxury landmark and open a new d'Or

What: Private party revealing Hines’ Residences at La Colombe d’Or

Where: Le Grand Salon de la Comtesse at La Colombe d’Or

The scoop: Houston real estate icon Gerald Hines and wife, Barbara, along with La Colombe d’Or owner Steve Zimmerman and wife, Becky, hosted a private, invitation-only party, to bid au revoir to La Colombe d’Or’s ballroom, the venerable room that has served as a stunning backdrop to some of Houston’s most lavish weddings and parties.

Guests toasted to the Residences at La Colombe d’Or, which is a new partnership between Hines and the Zimmerman family. Hines’ top brass, including Gerald Hines, Mark Cover, and Kevin Batchelor, unveiled plans for a stunning 34-story tower with 285 residences. Meanwhile, Steve Zimmerman joked that the pairing of his family and Hines made him feel like "going to the prom with Charlize Theron."

The residences will be part of a larger development, including a renovation of the current hotel rooms in the historic mansion, as well as plans for three new pocket parks. The Residences at La Colombe d’Or will connect to the neighboring hotel via an art gallery and outdoor plaza with fireplace. The new building will provide 17 additional luxury hotel rooms.

Jorge Munoz of Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning and Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio shared the design of the project, which will combine the charm of old-world Houston with the grace and elegance of new contemporary design. Interior views will be focused out to lush greenery and the landscaped courtyard in between the new tower and existing mansion.

Wine flowed throughout the evening while the crowd dined on supper bites — including lamb meatballs and hamachi tartar — along with the restaurant’s legendary Bananas Foster. Guests were abuzz about the pocket parks, the courtyard, and fabulous views from the residential tower.

The Zimmerman family notes that the historic hotel and La Colombe d’Or restaurant will remain open for business and will undergo a $10 million facelift, after the Residences open in 2020.

With a nod to the prolific Hines’ project in the heart of the Museum District, Barbara Hines, an accomplished artist, displayed her paintings for sale with all proceeds to benefit Aishel House. Ongoing artwork displays will be integral to the gallery planned for the project.

Who: Dan Zimmerman, Mark Zimmerman, Kevin Batchelor, Mark and Ann Marie Cover, Enrique and Alessandra Albin, Jorge and Sally Munoz, Lauren Rottet, Ali and Suzanne Ebrahami, Francesca Batchleor, Mike and Shelley Melody, Robert Sakowitz, Andrew and Mona Sarofim, Steve Adger, Joe and Merrill Hafner, and a host of Houston’s real estate professionals.

Gerald Hines, Barbara Hines, Becky Zimmerman, and Steve Zimmerman at La Colombe d’Or.

Gerald Hines, Barbara Hines, Becky ZImmerman, Steve Zimmerman

Photo by Fulton Davenport

Gerald Hines, Barbara Hines, Becky Zimmerman, and Steve Zimmerman at La Colombe d’Or.

high-rises

Spritzed With Style

Houston charity’s Pearls of Wisdom gala is a real gem of a night

Photo by Andy Phan

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

Some came for the Aperol Spritz, others for the cause, and all left a little more hopeful.

Photo by Andy Phan

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

On a lively evening at River Oaks Country Club, guests gathered for Vita Living’s annual Pearls of Wisdom gala, where community, compassion, and a splash of Italian flair came together for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Chaired by Kristen Perrin, Pamela Perilloux, and Bryan P. Smith, the evening began with a color-splashed cocktail hour, where attendees mingled in vibrant attire, sipping spritzes and eyeing a meticulously curated silent auction. Among the standout items were a six-night escape to a riverfront condo near Beaver Creek (courtesy of Doug Dawson), a luxury three-night getaway to Chablé Yucatán Chocholá (thank you, Chablé), and a striking aluminum-mounted photograph, Golden Koi by Joe C. Aker, gleaming with texture and motion.

Emcee Kip Altstaetter opened the program with warmth and wit. Joseph Cooper, Vita Living CEO, delivered the invocation before passing the mic to the evening’s co-chairs for special remarks. Guests then watched a moving video introduced by Myrla Menn and Beth and John Hoffman, which offered an intimate look at the lives changed by Vita Living’s services.

The live auction helmed with high energy by Johnny Bravo Entertainment brought gala-goers to their feet, paddles flying in support of the nonprofit’s essential work. But the night didn’t end with dinner and donations. Supporters lingered and celebrated with a late-night gelato bar and warm camaraderie.

Founded in 1982, Vita Living has grown from a single home created by founder Renée Wallace for her son to a network of 20 group homes across Houston. The organization’s case management program serves more than 300 children and adults across seven counties.

This year’s record-breaking total — $207,000 raised — underscores the community’s growing commitment to supporting inclusive care and lifelong dignity.

Among the 300 present were Kara Willis, Charcole Santiago, Peter and Krystyna Cawthorne, Jim Roberts, David Payne, Clint Fritts, Andrew Campbell, Eddie and Kim Perdomo, Brian and Sarah Crawmer, David and Marilyn Guion, Larry and Christina O’Donnell, Chris Mehling, Lorraine Olah, Bella McNeill, Jonathan Puig, Ellie Rotan, Juliana Workman, Forrest and Katie Wynn, Louis and Ashley Pearce, Chandos Dodson Epley, Evans and Theresa Attwell, Mariquita Masterson, and Andy and Ashley Mejia.

vita living fundraisers