Houston-based architecture and design firm Rottet Studio has combined the charm of old-world Houston with contemporary elegance for the redesign of La Colombe d’Or, a mixed-use development comprising a historic mansion hotel and restaurant, a new high-rise apartment tower and Zimmerman Park – a pocket of green space at the northwest corner of the site, dedicated in honour of the owners in commemoration of their partnership with Hines on the overall project.

Formerly the private residence of the founder of Humble Oil, which later became Exxon, the Fondren Mansion was extensively renovated and repositioned into a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant. The interior team at Rottet Studio thought of how the guest and owner would perceive the property from the moment they see it through every aspect of its use. To set the tone, the studio used images of Houston’s Space age monorail and Astrodome as well as the contemporary Art Museum architecture of the neighbourhood in contrast with historic images of the site and the original La Colombe d’Or in the south of France. Preserving the indoor-outdoor lifestyle of Mediterranean architecture, of which the original La Colombe d’Or was fashioned, the interior views are focused out to the lush greenery of the district and the landscaped courtyard in between the new tower and the existing mansion. The juxtaposition of the mansion’s old Southern charm and the tower’s modern vibes mesh elegantly as both experiences are tied together with an impressive personal art collection of over 350 pieces scattered throughout public areas and guestrooms.

Inspired by the original Colombe d’Or Hotel, where artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse frequented in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, La Colombe d’Or in Houston is a landmark of artful design and good cheer. In fact, each of the mansion guest suites are named after prominent artists: Cézanne, Degas, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. These five unique suites in the mansion were renovated to maintain their original charm and character. An additional 27 new hotel rooms, which combine contemporary style with old world materials and antiques, were also added to the first two floors of the new tower. Both the mansion and tower guest suites are serviced by Tonight + Tomorrow, the three-meal restaurant led by local Houstonian Chef Jonathan Wicks.