Street Smart
Fitted looks from Houston designer Jamel Hawk’s new fashion line, set against the murals of EaDo’s Graffiti Park, highlight his love of offbeat textures, prints and colors. Now that’s a bright idea.
Mar. 15, 2018
WITH ITS INAUGURAL set of residents newly moved in, Pelican Builders’ mid-rise condominium Westmore at 2323 W Main Street in Upper Kirby is already seeing the blossoming of a tight-knit community. Designed by Houston-based Mirador Group the Westmore is the first new condominium product to be introduced to the in-demand, inner loop neighborhood in more than three years. And with remaining two-bedroom homes starting at $895,000, it’s a remarkable value for this increasingly pricey area, where condos can easily climb to several million dollars and more.
The Westmore’s intimate, mid-rise scale was intended to complement, rather than overpower, its charming surroundings, which range from renovated bungalows and multiplexes to high-end patio homes and townhomes plus multi-million-dollar single-family residences. And while just seven stories, residents are afforded beautiful treetops and skyline views that belie its modest size.
Perfectly nestled just off bustling Kirby Drive, just outside River Oaks, and moments from West University, the 33-residence property boasts an enviable 92 Walk Score. The proximity to things both useful and enjoyable has been one of its biggest sale drivers given the plethora of things that a pedestrian can so easily access just blocks away, from Whole Foods Market and Levy Park to Pinstripes bowling and bocce and Color Factory, plus a slew of antique and design stores, art galleries, service offerings, and fitness studios. And that doesn’t touch the surface of a literal bounty of restaurants for every taste, ranging from The Original Carrabba’s, Kiran's, and Thai newcomer MaKiin to recently opened bistro PS-21, Armando’s, Local Foods and Relish.
According to Pelican Builders founder Robert Bland, “The appeal for this building spans upwardly mobile young professionals to downsizing couples in their 50s and 60s, and they’re all drawn to a no maintenance lifestyle with the best of the city at their fingertips. At the Westmore, they have all that with the bonus of a 24-hour doorman for security purposes.”
The property is exclusively sold and marketed by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. Its model residence is open Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm or by appointment. For more information or to book an appointment to tour, please call or text 713-600-5096 or visit www.westmorehouston.com.
UNDER TWINKLING CHANDELIERS, in a decked-out Wortham Grand Foyer made to recall the royal ballrooms of the Old World, some 500 guests gathered for the white-tie Ballet Ball of 2024, which raised $1.6 million.
The clusters of crystal chandeliers lit up an oval dance floor, “surrounded by custom, hand-painted, 20-plus-foot-tall dusty blue and gold panels, meant to replicate the beautifully adorned walls of the Hofburg Palace,” noted a Houston Ballet rep of event planner Richard Flowers’ handiwork.
“The venue dazzled with candelabras and fragrant floral centerpieces of white tulips, peonies, roses, hydrangeas, and gray dusty miller, atop lace-detailed blue linens.” The event was said to draw inspiration from Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling ballet, which follows the story of the Austro-Hungarian crown prince of the 1880s.
The dinner menu was fit for old-school European royalty. Following a salad of baby greens with goat cheese, dried cranberries, pistachios and honey-champagne vinaigrette, guests enjoyed medallions of aged beef tenderloin with marchand de vin, caramelized shallot jam and braised red cabbage. For dessert: a mascarpone crepe with blood orange coulis and candied orange peel.
Coming just after dinner, the most delicious treat of the night might have been the surprise waltz-inspired dance number, featuring dancers from the Houston Ballet Academy, choreographed by former company dancer Hayden Stark, now an Academy instructor. Think handsome young gentlemen in tails swirling vigorously about with ladies in flowing gowns.
Shortly after the performance, guests and members of the dance company alike flooded the dance floor, stirred to their feet by the boisterous tunes of the Stratosphere band.
Cabrina and Steven Owsley served as ball chairs, along with Margaret and Jonathan Cox. The honorees were Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh, who, after years of supporting the company, were instrumental is bringing about the Ballet’s historic trip to Japan last year.
VIPs in the crowd included the Ballet’s creative leader Stanton Welch, Margaret Alkek Williams, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Jim Nelson, Anne and Albert Chao, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Rosanette S. Cullen, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Jo Furr, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Melissa Juneau, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Ileana and Michael Treviño, and, glamorous as ever, Lynn Wyatt.
Angel Rios, Lynn Wyatt and Richard Flowers
Chris and Kristy Bradshaw
Connor Walsh and Chae Eun Yang
Dr. Sippi K. Khurana and Ajay Khurana
Eric and Tonya Jordan
Fady Armanious, Hallie Vanderhider, Bill Baldwin
Henry and Jean May
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Houston Ballet Company dancers enjoying the live music of Stratosphere
Melissa Juneau and Kent Willis
Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones
Rose Cullen, Jody and Kathy McCord
Kelly and Twana Faykus
Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Nelson
Zoe Cadore and Ada Agbor
Marianne and Joe Geagea
Patti Murphy and Beth Muecke
Susan and Gary Binney
Tripp Carter, Karen Payne, Jim Nelson
THIS WEEKEND MAY have been chilly, but one Friday-night bash brought the heat: Reagan and Alex Bregman welcomed a handful of VIPs to the launch party for their new southwest food brand, Wild Sol.
The couple, previously responsible for the popular Breggy Bombs salsa, wanted to expand their footprint, and rebranded as Wild Sol. The new offerings — Hot Salsa, Mild Salsa, Salsa Verde, and Mango Habanero — are all infused with a kick of Flecha Azul, a premium tequila created by their friends, Mark Wahlberg, Aron Marquez and Abraham Ancer.
Alongside their friends and family, a star-studded lineup turned out to toast the Bregmans (and take a dip, of course), including Paul Wall, Astros player Jeremy Pena, reporter Julia Morales Clark, NFL alums Adrian Peterson and Chester Pitts, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, and soulful songstress Lenora.
Wild Sol is available to purchase online, and is expected to appear on store shelves at H-E-B and Kroger in the next few months.
Reagan Bregman and Julia Morales Clark
Jeremy Pena
Wild Sol salsas
Wild Sol CEO Michael Posey
Laurice Howard and Jackie Bregman
Mattress Mack
Adrian & Ashley Peterson, Reagan & Alex Bregman
Haleigh Broucher, Ona DeShazo, Reagan Bregman, Courtney Blanch Powell, Madelyn Payne, Madison Straub