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.
Sylvia Casares
About 100 guests filtered past fabulous autos from event sponsor Bentley Houston into Chef Austin Waiter’s red-hot Marigold Club in Montrose on a balmy pre-holiday evening. They came to sip gin “Marigold Martinis” and other signature cocktails, and to nibble beautiful classics such as tartare of beef filet with whole grain mustard and thyme and freshly shucked Mere Point oysters in shallot mignonette. But mostly guests, along with reps of event sponsor Valobra Master Jewelers, were there to gladhand and celebrate this year’s class of honorees.
This 2024 group included Community Artists Collective co-founder Michelle Barnes, Recipe for Success and Hope Farms founder Gracie Cavnar, “Enchilada Queen” and cookbook author Sylvia Casares, hot Hamsa and Doris Metropolitan restaurateur Itai Ben Eli, and Raz Halili, whose Texas fishery is the first fully certified-sustainable fishery in North America.
Other 2024 leaders and legends included University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator, former Rice University president David Leebron, playwright ShaWanna Renee Rivon, jeweler and philanthropist Franco Valobra, and energy exec Bobby Tudor, who’s leading the effort to keep Houston the world’s energy capital — even as the industry pivots to sustainability and a greener future.
CityBook editor and CEO Jeff Gremillion made brief remarks and toasted each honoree. Jim Gray, founder and CEO of The Village parent company The Aspenwood Company, also welcomed the crowd.
“Leaders & Legends, our beautiful annual portrait collection, is the most revered and prestigious content we produce all year,” says Gremillion. “And the Leaders & Legends party — a lovely, lowkey affair at which honorees past and present can hobnob with other VIPs in a posh but relaxed setting — has become a highlight of the Houston social calendar.
“Everyone is talking about the Marigold Club, and we were delighted to partner with Chef Waiter and his amazing team for this year’s party. The attention to detail was extraordinary, and the food was elegant and delicious. Everyone had a wonderful time.”
Waiter’s complete menu also included chicken liver mousse gougères with preserved citrus jam and Argentinian shrimp cocktail with lemon and chives — all passed on silver trays by bow-tied and white-jacketed servers. For dessert, Marigold proffered chocolate friandswith chocolate cremeux, brûléed treacle tarts with citron crème and Earl Grey tarlets.
This year’s iteration of Leaders & Legends, created by Gremillion and Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse, is the seventh for CityBook. Past honorees include Nobel laureate Jim Allison, billionaire mogul Tilman Fertitta, boundary-breaking prima ballerina Lauren Anderson, Astros owner Jim Crane, lifesaving medical researchers, civil rights leaders, artists, activists, fashion designers, members of congress, Olympic medalists, Tony- and Grammy-winning musicians, and top-tier philanthropists like Margaret Alkek Williams, Cynthia Petrello, Becca Cason Thrash and Lynn Wyatt.
The fall “Leaders & Legends” issue of CityBook is available on newsstands all over the city. The holiday issue hits at Thanksgiving.
Rubens Franz, Katia Lessa and Bernie Cantu
Phoebe Tudor and Connor Walsh
Bob and Gracie Cavnar and David Leebron
ShaWanna Renee Rivon
The Marigold Martini
Raz Halili
Jacquie Baly and James Craig
Brandon Weinbrenner and Todd Ramos
Tom and Robin Segesta
Austin Waiter
Shane Dante, Vanessa Iturbe, and Lin and Itai Ben Eli
Outside the Marigold Club
Felipe Riccio and Carrie Brandsberg Dahl
Dana Ely, Meredith Clark, Caimen Schneider and Shannon Waiter
Shawn Lynch, Jentry Kelley, Thy Mitchell and Kyle Denton
Leila Perrin and Beth Wolff
Tartare of beef filet with whole grain mustard and thyme
Jim Gray
Bill Stubbs, Lisa Holthouse and Kurt Grether
Jason Fuller
Samantha and Raz Halili
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Blake and Dana Fertitta with Belle and Zoe
With a theme of "Best in Snow," a seasonal play on the funny flick Best in Show, the glam gala took place at The Post Oak Hotel, where animal lovers (and their furry friends!) reveled in sparkling holiday decor. Event co-chairs Angela Hernandez and Carson Brown were thrilled with the turnout, which topped 700.
Guests were welcomed with espresso martinis from the ice bar, sponsored by Sire Spirits and Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi, and spent plenty of time perusing the Bourbon and Bubbles pull (more than 100 bottles!) and the silent auction. Once inside the blue-and-white-hued ballroom, the crowd cheered on the evening's honorees, who strutted their stuff alongside their pets. Andy Cerota and his pup Maxwell were crowned as the 2024 Celebrity Pets of the Year, with Dana and Blake Fertitta and their dogs Belle and Zoe were first runners-up.
Galagoers were also moved by the story of CAP’s Celebrity Canine Hero Award recipient, Bram Kohlhausen and his service dog Chip. And emcee Frank Billingsley was joined by Brittany Franklin during the "Paws Up" portion of the evening as well as the live auction.
Andy Cordes and Dawsel White
Steve and Daphne Savva with Jenga
Brenda and Bob Wempe, Paige Fertitta
Sandi Mercado, Jackie Clark
Carson Brown, Bram Kohlhausen and his service dog Chip, and Angela Hernandez
Robert Tijerina, Patrick Lancton
Champagne parade for live-auction winner
Patricia and Sig Cornelius
Chris and Kendall Hanno
Nick and Allison Boulle with Belle
Daniel Irion and Kirk Kveton
Marcellus Upshaw, Sandra Cooper Smith
David and Kirby Lodholz with Chucky
Liz and Peter Carragher
Dean Putterman and Ed Finger
Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman
Ember Strand, Frankie Demeris
Gloria and Frank Meszaros