After three years of construction and a COVID delay, the revamped Jones Plaza opens to the public September 22 with a new name, new features, and new spaces to celebrate Houston's vibrant arts scene.Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts is — fittingly — named for the Houston society icon and arts supporter.
The downtown spot held an official debut event, on Thursday, September 21, with a grand opening attended by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, namesake Wyatt herself, Houston First Corporation (HFC) chairman David Mincberg, and HFC president and CEO Michael Heckman, along with other public officials and leaders from Houston’s performing arts and business community.
The square blends spaces for performances with spots to gather and enjoy city life in downtown. The $26.5 million green space includes a flexible performance lawn for concerts and other free programs, a cascading water feature, accessible entries, gardens, trees, one-of-a-kind tête-à-tête rockers/seating, lighting and sound elements, and space for a future restaurant.
Mini murals created by Anat Ronen and Jessica Guerra (Guerra Girl) cover traffic boxes around the Square. HFC will maintain and operate the square, which will offer year-round programming inspired by Houston’s cultural diversity and the award-winning performing arts organizations surrounding the park.
“I love Houston, I love the arts and I absolutely love this beautiful square," said Wyatt in a press release announcing the official opening. "I am thrilled to support the team bringing people and the arts together in the heart of downtown. And to have my name on such an important piece of Houston, I am humbled and grateful, this truly touches my heart. I look forward to all the good this Square will do now and in the future for the people of this dynamic city and our world-class performing arts community."
Wyatt (pictured with Bun B; his wife, Queenie, and power publicist Mark Sullivan) is nationally renowned for her philanthroy.
Photo by Alex Montoya
Opening weekend programming includes a number of activities, lawn games and live entertainment. One highlight is the interactive Bees experience. Created by Polyglot Theatre, a world-renowned Australian-based contemporary theatre company, the show offers a creative and fun way to explore the mysterious world of bees. Performances will take place Friday at 5 pm and 7 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm.
Nestled in the heart of the theater district, Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts sits adjacent to Jones Hall, home to the Houston Symphony and a base for Performing Arts Houston. This month, Jones Hall showcases its own $50 million renovation; the pair of projects offer Houstonians a re-energized corner of downtown.
One part pre-and-post-theater destination, one part downtown gathering space, the plaza invites downtown workers and visitors all day, every day to a long-forgotten parcel of downtown real estate.
A philanthropic legend in the Houston — and national — society and arts worlds, Wyatt committed $10 million to the Jones Plaza renovation, serving as the core of a $27 million capital campaign to fund the transformation.
An additional $10 million in funding came from the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and a $5 million gift from Houston First Corporation. Additional funders include the Elkins Foundation, the Cullen Foundation, the Fondren Foundation, the Wortham Foundation, the Herzstein Foundation, Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Vivian L. Smith Foundation, and the MD Anderson Foundation.
Photo via Houston First Corporation
Jones Plaza will is now the Lynn Wyatt Square For The Performing Arts.
Los Angeles-based design firm Rios helmed the project, selected following an exhaustive selection process and design contest.
“I always say I was born, bred, and buttered in Houston. I have long been devoted to the arts because I believe that the arts, particularly the performing arts, are the soul of any city,” the always-charming Wyatt said during a christening ceremony in 2019. “This is such a wonderful honor and I am delighted that this beautiful square for the performing arts will be enjoyed by my fellow Houstonians and visitors long after I am gone.”
A heartfelt standing ovation to Houston's iconic benefactor, indeed.
On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Dessert Gallery owner Sara Brook joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss her business. The Upper Kirby dessert shop recently celebrated its 28th anniversary.
Brooks tells Sandler about her decision to open Dessert Gallery as both a dine-in and to-go cafe at a time before coffee shops — or dedicated dessert shops — offered that kind of environment. He also asks her about the nostalgic nature of most of Dessert Gallery’s offerings.
“There have been times in my 40-year career when there have been different trends that come and go with things flying out of our dessert or all sorts of weird accessories. They’re fun to look at or order once, but it’s not something you’d want again,” Brook says. “You want the thing that reminds you of what your grandma made for your birthday. Those are the things that inspire memories and good feelings.”
Listen to the full episode to hear Brook discuss her relationship with Houston’s Jewish community and the status of her new location in The Woodlands that’s scheduled to open in time for Thanksgiving pies and Christmas cookies.
On this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Monica Danna discuss the news of the week and their meal at a new restaurant. Their topics include: Tatemó chef Emmanuel Chavez being named a Food & Wine Best New Chef; Levi Goode going solo by opening fine dining restaurants Credence and Sidebar; and Seattle’s Dough Zone opening its first Houston-area location in Midtown.
Photo by Becca Wright
Sara Brooks is this week's guest.
In the restaurant of the week segment, they visit Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern, the new, retro-styled pizzeria from Nobie’s owners Sara and Martin Stayer. Listen to hear their thoughts on the restaurant’s tavern-style pizza and other dishes.
-----
Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Sunday at noon on ESPN 97.5.
Looking for the perfect Houston venue for weddings, birthdays, graduations, and beyond? Warehouse 72, known for its chef-driven experience, unforgettable art, and in-demand wine and spirits dinners, is taking its 8,400-square-foot warehouse to the next level with a reinvented private events program.
Photo courtesy of Warehouse 72
Warehouse 72 is reinventing private events.
Guests will be able to use Warehouse 72’s art-adorned space as a blank canvas for their celebrations, with the ability to curate a custom menu with chef Jaime Salazar and beverage experience with general manager Richard Howell.
Newly appointed events and catering manager Tanzinia Reid is there to guide you through every step of the experience.
Reid joins Warehouse 72 from the JW in North Carolina, a $1 billion hotel property that's home to some of the most unique events in Charlotte. Her more than eight years of hospitality includes experiences with companies like Disney, The Kessler Collection, Marriott, and White Lodging.
“When reinventing our private events program, we thought, 'what do our customers want and need?'" says operating partner Richard Howell. "This program will allow us to reward our loyal guests with something new and exciting and to curate relationships with new guests. We are not only in the food and wine business, but the relationship business, and this program will help Warehouse 72 continue to establish a bigger community of foodies and friends who love to entertain.”
Using the space's exposed brick, concrete, aged metals, and warm color palette , Warehouse 72’s team will help each guest create an unforgettable event. The venue also pays homage to the cultural strength and diversity of the city through the brightly colored murals of Houstonian females by local street artist Sebastien “Mr. D. 1987” Boileau.
This ambiance carries through every part of the restaurant, including the picturesque and multi-functional indoor-outdoor dining spaces. Warehouse 72 perfectly caters to special events ranging from 25 individuals to more than 200 guests.
Here's a look at the available spaces:
Main dining area
Guest count: 100 seated
Ideal for: Cocktail parties, seated dinners, rehearsal dinners, large parties
Features: An open-concept kitchen, plenty of room for customization
Private dining room
Guest count: 60 seated, 80 cocktail-style
Ideal for: Meetings, cocktail parties, networking, happy hour, and social gatherings like birthdays, graduations, showers, and anniversaries
Features: A glass enclosure for seclusion and intimacy
Side dining
Guest count: 48 seated
Ideal for: Smaller seated dinners, happy hours, cocktail parties
Features: A cozy atmosphere
Patio area
Guest count: 45 seated
Ideal for: Social gatherings, mixers, networking
Features: Exquisite artwork, 100 percent covered, four larger ceiling fans and portable air conditioning units, privacy curtains upon request
Warehouse 72 came to life in 2019 under the vision and inspiration of Doug Pak. The sophisticated dining room featuring plush velvet banquettes, handsome quilted leather chairs, a sleek bar, and a large open kitchen welcomes guests as they enjoy a Mediterranean and American-inspired menu by chef Jaime Salazar.
Warehouse 72 is located at 620 Katy Fwy., suite 305. For more information about Warehouse 72 private events and catering and to schedule a tour of the space, please email tanzinia.reid@warehouse72.com or call 833-365-7272.
