Lauren Rottet Designs Ritz-Carlton’s Return to Houston

MILAN — The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the River Oaks area of Houston hosted Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, but the location lost its license and was stripped of the Ritz-Carlton name in 1997. Now the brand is coming back, this time with a hotel and one of the city’s first luxury branded residences in its history.

Houston-based Rottet Studio founded by Lauren Rottet is designing the interiors for The Ritz-Carlton, Houston — the brand’s first branded residences in the city and hotel, which the studio said are slated for completion in the fall of 2029.

Rising 45 stories at 2120 Post Oak Boulevard in the prestigious Galleria neighborhood, the tower is expected to feature 156 guest rooms and 114 private residences, along with restaurants, lounges and amenities.

Building on Rottet Studio’s work at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, Rottet said the studio is taking part in shaping the Ritz-Carlton legacy with this landmark project in Houston.

“The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences is a carefully conceived property that reflects Houston’s fascinating history, lush green landscape, and Southern cosmopolitan culture,” Rottet told WWD, adding that her designs include warm woods paired with cooler toned stones and polished bronze accents to create an inviting environment.  

When designing the property, Rottet Studio was inspired by the city’s natural treasures, its history and its prominent figures. “We envisioned them picnicking together on the banks of Buffalo Bayou under the tall post oak trees dreaming of building a hotel property that would exemplify in every way their beloved Houston.”

The branded residence concept is still new to Houston, home to a rising number of high-net-worth individuals and where the market is relatively untapped in terms of services to host them.

Marriott International, the Ritz-Carlton’s parent company, is working with local Houston real estate firm Deiso Moss for the development of the project.

Emerging Luxury Players

In 2025, designer Nina Magon Studio cut the ribbon on her first residence project, a $20 million luxury townhomes project fully developed and designed with the studio’s modern-meets-old-world flair from start to finish. The residences are located in Houston’s Memorial area. Prices start at $1.2 million. There are many opportunities in Houston, as the city is also awaiting the completion of the St. Regis residences, which broke ground in 2023. The property on 102 Asbury Street will feature 93 homes starting at $2.4 million.

Houston’s Wealthy Community Grows

Houston was ranked number 16 on the list of urban areas with the fastest-growing wealth hubs, in terms of millionaire growth. According to research by Henley & Partners, Houston follows Shenzen, China, which is number one; Scottsdale, Ariz., which ranked number two, and Dallas, which ranked number 12.

Rottet, who has worked on a global roster of projects, is designing the spa, ballroom and other meeting spaces for the new Wynn Al Marjan Island in the United Arab Emirates. She has also been at the forefront of interior designs for upscale residences including the Central Park Tower in New York City, on Billionaires Row in Midtown. Luxe materials, such as marble and bespoke elements including water walls and spiral staircases, were the hallmarks of that project. Central Park Tower’s lobby was fashioned with a monumental custom Lalique cast-glass centerpiece in the lobby, which she contended is the largest and most extravagant the Alsace, France-based firm has ever made.

The lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Houston will feature a glass pendant centerpiece fashioned like a waterfall of gilded rain and will feature an array of halos. “I see glass as an upticking trend,” Rottet told WWD. Rottet also designs furniture pieces and presented upscale designs for Italian furniture maker Turri and Belgian firm Atelier Vierkant in 2025 in Milan.

Real Estate Boom

Around the world, branded residences are booming. The number of them rose to 910 in 2025 from just 323 in 2015. This year, that number is expected to grow further and to rise to 1,747 by 2032, according to a branded real estate survey by Savills.

Fashion brands, with their strong identity and loyal consumers, are poised to benefit from the relatively untapped potential of the high-end real estate market. Among the top names by number of projects in the pipeline until 2030 are Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Missoni and Versace and Etro, which have all inked deals with partners globally to lend their visions to real estate and expand their concept of living.