Four Seasons Hotel — Houston, USA

Houston’s Four Seasons Hotel opened way back in 1982, an eternity in an industry that almost measures time in dog years. For some time now, it has become increasingly clear that the spaces had become a little, well, dated. And with the arrival of Marriott Marquis and Hotel Alessandra nearby, it was high time for a spruce up.
In refurbishing the hotel’s public spaces, it might have been tempting for Meyer Davis to go big and bold. Instead, the New York-based design studio opted for a more intimate private club vibe. The wide-ranging works started with a completely new entrance, façade and lobby before moving onto a new bourbon bar lobby and a private dining room.
The flash comes by way of unfinished brass, blackened steel, gunmetal and bronze trims, alongside huge slabs of Arabascato marble, smoky onyx and grey marble. These are softened with wool shag rugs, white mohair chairs, George Chaplin paintings, and mirrored stainless steel origami sculptures by Israeli artist Illan Garibi.
The centrepiece of the refurbishment, though, is a new grand staircase of carved walnut panels that’s encircled by octahedron sculptures by local artist Garland Fielder, and spot-lit by a three-storey atrium which floods the interior space with natural light.
INFORMATION
Website
ADDRESS
1300 Lamar Street
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Vacheron Constantin unveils an exceptional astronomical clock at Le Louvre
To mark its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has created astronomical artistry in La Quête du Temps, now part of an exhibition at Le Louvre
-
Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf unveil Calder Gardens in Philadelphia
The new cultural landmark presents Alexander Calder’s work in dialogue with nature and architecture, alongside the release of Jacques Herzog’s 'Sketches & Notes'. Ellie Stathaki interviews Herzog about the project.
-
Beloved British screenwriter Dennis Potter inspires an exhibition with a difference at Studio Voltaire
Hilary Lloyd's multi-faceted exhibition at Studio Voltaire considers Dennis Potter's life and work, from much-loved TV classics to power inequalities
-
In Los Angeles, Darling doesn’t want to be your average dinner spot
Vinyl, live-fire cooking, and California’s finest ingredients come together in this immersive new concept from a celebrated Southern chef
-
The best dinner party in San Francisco is thrown at this bistro and vinyl bar
A new chapter begins in Mission Creek as Side A opens in the former Universal Café space
-
Daisy Margarita Bar reimagines the Mexican tavern with vaquero flair in Los Angeles
From frozen guacamole margaritas to lamb shank with frijoles puercos, this new Sherman Oaks destination mixes playful gastronomy with tradition
-
Javier's, a new cathedral-inspired restaurant in downtown LA, offers a divine take on Mexican cuisine
At the restaurant's newest location, discovery lies around every corner – and on every plate
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café Tondo
Helmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Size doesn’t matter at Now Now, a micro-hotel for solo travellers in New York
Can you pack style into 32 square feet? We find out
-
At this LA dining hotspot, go Spanish or Japanese as you please
A dual-concept dining destination designed by the Rockwell Group brings Mediterranean warmth and Japanese precision to Century City
-
The Benjamin’s chic new upstairs bar is Hollywood’s hottest hideaway
At Bar Benjamin, speakeasy mystique meets elevated snacks, cocktails and views