La Colombe d’Or Hotel and Luxury Residence Completes Renovation and Set to Open March 29th

The Hotel: The Zimmermans, owners of La Colombe d’Or Hotel for the last 40 years have announced that their joint venture, including the hotel, along with Hines on the luxury 285 unit high rise, the Residence at La Colombe d’Or have completed the expansion and renovation of this acclaimed site in the Montrose/Museum District area and it is opening the hotel now, on March 29th. First, about the Hotel which was always a favorite spot of mine and continues to be a glamorous art oasis in the eccentric Montrose neighborhood that I love and also call home. The international design team, Rottet Studio reimagined the hotel interiors for a modern yet timeless and gracious experience that encompasses the hotel, a restaurant and a bar…..all offering these plus amenities to the residence in the attached but separate luxury high rise, as well.

“We are thrilled to introduce the redesigned La Colombe d’Or Hotel to the city of Houston and guests travelling from around the world,” said Dan Zimmerman, Principal of La Colombe d’Or Hotel. “The renovations and additions gracefully merge the history and grandeur of the mansion while modernizing the overall aesthetic. We are excited to welcome guests to the present interpretation of the historic Fondren mansion, where they will find a large collection of works by internationally acclainmed artists, a refined social scene and a cultural experience as dynamic as the mansion itself.”

Originally built in 1923 as a residence for Houston’s Humble Oil co-founder, Walter Fondren, the La Colombe d’Or Mansion was aquired in 1979 and tranformed into a Hotel, featuring suites, a restaurant and bar, an art gallery and the notorious Le Grand Salon de la Comtesse….a Rococo ballroom outfitted in English oak, gilded-framed mirrors and chandeliers once built for French Royal in the 1730’s and was then purchased by the Zimmerman’s in 1995. (this was quite a place to see, all importerd directly from Europe, including the elaborate wall panels, I remember it all very well!) In a collaboration with global real estate firm Hines, the property was reimagined and a high-rise, The Residence at La Colombe d’Or now stands adjacent to the Mansion. Together, the renovation and expansion project combine old and-world charm of the historic mansion witgh the elegance of new contemporary design to debut a unique mixed-use offering for residents and guest.

The Residence at La Colombe d’Or: Hines, the international real estate firm, are also announcing the opening of the Residences, located in the Montrose/Museum District on the one-acre campus of La Colombe d’Or Hotel. This 34-story luxury high-rise is connected to the newly renovated hotel and its full-service restaurant and bar though a series of courtyards, pocket parks and sculpture gardens.

“We are thrilled to introduce Houstonians to the elegant, stylish and sophisticated lifestyle of The Residences at La Colombe d’Or,” said Kevin Batchelor, senior managing director at Hines. “No other high-rise offering in the city has the innovative mix of boutique hotel amenities, a curated art program, sculpture gardens, elegant apartments and outstanding views, all in Houston’s most vibrant neighborhood.”

Led by Munoz + Albin, design architect with interior design by Rottet Studio and landscape design by Robinson & Company, The Residences, Houston-based design team drew upon their international experiences to infuse a modern style and elegant touch reminiscent of the South of France throughout the property. Leading from the new tower lobby to the renovated mansion, a dynamic light-filled corridor with faceted ceilings lends particularly well to showcase the space’s rotating gallery of artwork.

Drawing people into the relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle of La Colombe d’Or, the tower’s 10th floor amenity deck features a resort-style pool with downtown views, private dining area, well-appointed display kitchen, privat meeting rooms, social lounge with complimentary coffee bar, state-of-the-art gym and spa-like relaxation zone. The tower’s ground level also provides 18 additional luxury rooms for guests of La Colombe d’Or Hotel.