At 1661 Tanglewood, a Bright Gathering of Realty and Design Elite

Matthew Rood
At 1661 Tanglewood, a Bright Gathering of Realty and Design Elite

Ruthy Porterfield, J. Randall Powers and Mary Elizabeth Hahnfield

A WHO'S WHO of city’s top realtors and home design icons turned out for a sunny springtime reception to get a sneak peek at the 1661 Tanglewood high-rise Houston is buzzing about.


With Houston CityBook as co-host, 1661’s Kendall Miller, grandson of the original developer of Tanglewood in 1948, joined with project designer J. Randall Powers to greet the likes of fellow star designer William Stubbs and Houston real estate stalwarts Walter Bering and Beth Wolff. Four Seasons GM Tom Segesta also made the scene.

A La Carte catering sent around a lovely menu of treats — including the likes of spinach and artichoke tartlets with spicy tomato jam, truffled mac & cheese spoons with buttered breadcrumbs, and a luscious lemon tart for dessert. Guests washed it down with A La Carte’s “Tanglewood Spring” cocktail, with gin, fresh basil and pineapple juice.

Also, bubbly was provided by Madame Zéro Champagne. The champs handsome Houston-based proprietor, Matthew Massey, was also on hand.

The new building will stand 34 stories above the posh enclave of Tanglewood and the nearby Uptown District. Boasting truly regal architecture, it will wear a crown fashioned of 40 dramatically lit columns surrounding an opulent top-floor pool deck. The jovial Miller, who addressed the crowd at the party, has said that Tanglewood is “close to the emotional heart of Houston” and that he and his family are “dedicated to continuing its stewardship.”


Harry and Kathy Masterson

Tom Segesta

Kurt Grether, Beth Wolff and Bill Stubbs

Hannah Swiggard and William Finnorn

Kendall Miller and Walter Bering

Jack Wood, Kathy Bennett, Jane Wood and Rex Bennett

Model of 1661 Tanglewood

Steven Biegel and Ashley Patton

Matthew Massey, Robin Segesta, Karen Remington and Nick Sanford

Lydia Meeks and Daniel Crocker

Gerard O'Brien and Carrie Swim

Sabrina and Paul Colin​

Christine Smith and DJ Spurgeon

Jay Andrew, Christina Sacco and Parker Witt

Delicious snacks by A La Carte Catering

Kathy Anderson, Grant Rachal and Vanessa Barrow

Carmen Martinez and Erica Campos

Scott Mason and Deborah McCormick

Madame Zéro Champagne

Guy Jackson, Edwin Murphy and Wes Breeding

Parties
Thrive & Inspire: ‘Results for Clients’ in Oil and Gas Drives Michelman & Robinson’s Varnado

Lauren Varnado, Houston Office Managing Partner at Michelman & Robinson, LLP and sought-after oil and gas lawyer

WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? That’s easy, launching Michelman & Robinson in Houston was, for me, the absolute high point of 2022 — and that’s in a year that included so many highlights. Without question, being named the firm’s Houston Office Managing Partner is and was a professional milestone that I’m so very proud of. That I’ve already been able to expand the office to 10 of us (and growing) and significantly move the needle in terms of the firm’s reach within the energy space is icing on the cake.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places