Inside C. Baldwin’s Grand Opening Blowout!

Gloria Gaynor Performs
Gloria Gaynor Performs

Walt Zipprian & Ernie Manouse

Nearly 2,000 hip Houstonians — including Lynn Wyatt, Becca Cason Thrash, Houston Ballet and Houston Texans stars, and hometown hip-hopper Slim Thug — hit the C. Baldwin hotel for a first glimpse of the glam new common spaces, including Chris Cosentino's Rosalie restaurant and the lobby's Sloan/Hall boutique.


The hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton property that was previously a DoubleTree, adopted a theme of powerful women throughout its renovation. The C. Baldwin is named for Charlotte Baldwin Allen, the unsung “mother of Houston," and the leadership team that brought it to life is made up almost entirely of females. Not to mention, Cosentino's Rosalie, inspired by his Italian grandmother, homages another great gal.

So it's no surprise that the grand-opening festivities were inspired by girl power. The famous quote, “Well behaved women rarely make history," lit up as a popular photo backdrop, and a 111-foot “living wall," made of plants," displayed the letter “X." This gesture was inspired by a time when Baldwin was prohibited from signing her own name on biz documents, and served to remind party guests to make their mark on the world.

Surprise concerts by The Suffers and Gloria Gaynor continued the theme.

Party People

Alex Au-Yeung (photo by Jenn Duncan)

WHEN IT OPENED a few months ago, The Woodlands outpost of acclaimed Katy restaurant Phat Eatery was billed as Alex Au-Yeung's dream restaurant. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung never got to see it come to fruition, as he passed away earlier this year. But the James Beared-nominated chef-owner certainly left his mark — and in honor of what would be his 53rd birthday, operating partners Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up tribute dinners.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

WHAT DOES IT mean to be "rent-burdened"? The phrase describes those who spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and it's become an increasingly relevant part of the larger conversation about the American economy in a post-Covid world.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate