CONDO LIFE
Building Spotlight: The Star in downtown Houston
The Star, a luxury highrise apartment building rich in history, is debuting in downtown Houston.
Born from the Texaco building, a historic site placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, this reimagined building, located at 1111 Rusk St., features renaissance revival-style touches with sophisticated vaulted arcades and Tuscan columns. It offers a perfect luxury rental home setting for busy professionals and others seeking a downtown location.
With 286 apartments in the heart of downtown, The Star offers top-tier amenities and is petfriendly.
Kip Platt, project development partner at Provident Realty Advisors, said though the process of transformation was challenging, it isn’t unusual with a historic renovation, especially one this sizable.
“We were able to bring an iconic property back to life, and now have a very unique multifamily product in a terrific location that keeps getting better. The response from existing and prospective tenants has been very positive, not only given the historical significance of the building, but also because of its standout architectural and design details,” Platt said.
The Star is a unique space to call home, The Star’s interior designer, Lauren Parsons, said. The Star was designed by the firm Warren & Wetmore, which also designed New York’s Grand Central Station.
“People want to be a part of something. Living in a landmark provides residents with a sense of pride and tasteful ‘bragging rights.’ The Star is in a category of its own. Attention to detail was very important with elements like the reception floor, which was restored one square inch at a time,” Parsons said.
Residents can enjoy the lobby’s original brass elevators with black geometric design, which inspired the ultimate design to be timeless and bold, Parsons said. The design team worked with former employees and collectors to curate the perfect mix of signage, model cars, print collateral and various aspects that include large-scale black-and-white portraits.
In addition to the distinct building, residents love the location. The Star is one block off of Main Street close to two rail lines and around the corner from the Theater District. It’s also surrounded by top hotels, bars, restaurants and parks.
High in-demand amenities are there as well. Chic finishes complete the ambience with custom wood cabinetry, stainlesssteel farmhouse sinks, KitchenAid appliances, quartz countertops and boutique custom bathroom cabinetry.
In addition to the valet, concierge, heated pool and a rooftop lounge, residents can relax in various custom spaces.
“The Star is not only a home, but a lifestyle,” Platt said. “The basement has an informal, speakeasy-type lounge with a poker room, media and game room highlighting the past with all kinds of Texaco memorabilia. Our golf fans love the simulator. The 16th-floor social lounge provides a more formal place to gather with a demonstration kitchen plus numerous seating areas, ideal for entertaining groups in style.”
Parsons, who resides at The Star, said the building provides a great sense of community.
“I’m thrilled to see neighbors forging friendships and enjoying the amenities together, as they were designed,” she said.