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Picture: Gerald Hines, Barbara Hines, Becky Zimmerman, and Steve Zimmerman at La Colombe d’Or.  

The scoop: Houston real estate icon Gerald Hines and wife, Barbara, along with La Colombe d’Or owner Steve Zimmerman and wife, Becky, hosted a private, invitation-only party, to bid au revoir to La Colombe d’Or’s ballroom, the venerable room that has served as a stunning backdrop to some of Houston’s most lavish weddings and parties. The residences will be part of a larger development, including a renovation of the current hotel rooms in the historic mansion, as well as plans for three new pocket parks. The Residences at La Colombe d’Or will connect to the neighboring hotel via an art gallery and outdoor plaza with fireplace. The new building will provide 17 additional luxury hotel rooms.

Lauren Rottet and Jorge Munoz at La Colombe d’Or.

Jorge Munoz of Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning and Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio shared the design of the project, which will combine the charm of old-world Houston with the grace and elegance of new contemporary design. Interior views will be focused out to lush greenery and the landscaped courtyard in between the new tower and existing mansion.

Robert Sakowitz at La Colombe d’Or.

Chris and Meredith Rector, and Gerrit Van Someren at La Colombe d’Or.

Wine flowed throughout the evening while the crowd dined on supper bites — including lamb meatballs and hamachi tartar — along with the restaurant’s legendary Bananas Foster. Guests were abuzz about the pocket parks, the courtyard, and fabulous views from the residential tower.

Mark Zimmerman and Dan Zimmerman at La Colombe d’Or.

The Zimmerman family notes that the historic hotel and La Colombe d’Or restaurant will remain open for business and will undergo a $10 million facelift, after the Residences open in 2020.

Ann Marie and Mark Cover at La Colombe d’Or

Austin and Brooke Drake at La Colombe d’Or.

Kevin Batchelor and Francesca Batchelor at La Colombe d’Or.

With a nod to the prolific Hines’ project in the heart of the Museum District, Barbara Hines, an accomplished artist, displayed her paintings for sale with all proceeds to benefit Aishel House. Ongoing artwork displays will be integral to the gallery planned for the project.