What: Catalyst Houston unveiling
Where: Catalyst Houston
The scoop: Houstonians enjoyed the high life as Chicago-based Marquette Companies unveiled Catalyst Houston — the first new apartment tower on the eastern edge of downtown in nearly a decade — with a duo of launch events that bathed the building in shades of its signature purple and drew more than 700 revelers over two consecutive nights.
Guests fanned three floors, including the striking lobby and 26th level with postcard views of the city – and with Mother Nature on the celebration’s side, the nearly half-acre rooftop pool terrace. A special business-centric preview kicked off the festivities with opening remarks from developer Darren Sloniger, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and Downtown District’s Bob Eury.
The second event served as a buzzy social showcase for a fun-loving crowd and an array of downtown partners sampling signature drinks and bites, including Irma’s Southwest (relocating to the building’s ground floor this summer), soon to debut Bravery Chef Hall, Hotel Alessandra’s Bardot, Local Foods, JW Marriott Houston Downtown’s Main Kitchen and 806 Lounge, Hearsay and Four Season Hotel’s Bayou & Bottle.
High-flying treats included aerial performers gliding down from the 28th story, recently transplanted Los Angeles DJ Matt Murdock, wine tasting with Riana Mondavi, spa scrubs from Spa by JW, Pura Vida Tequila chilled through a massive ice bottle, craft coffee cocktails from Mueva Coffee Co. and a bountiful raffle benefiting the Astros Foundation with overnight stays, meals plus a BMW of West Houston weekend drive. The party capped off with a front row view of fireworks from adjacent Minute Maid Park.
Who: Katherine Whaley and Chris Wadley, Lisa Gochman, Mark Sullivan, Carol Alvarado, Angie Bertinot, Joni and Michael Hoffman, Jeffrey Chasdon Yates, Laurette Cañizares, Brandon Weinbrenner, Scott Ziegler, Megan Pastor, James Sivco, Kaitlyn and Stewart Skloss, Kirsten and Brian Thorp, Shepard Ross, Roz and Alan Pactor, and Robert Gallegos.
An aerial perfomer scales the Catalyst.
