Montrose has gained a brand new saint. Lengthy related to luxuriously quaint boutique properties, the anxiously awaited growth of Austin-based Bunkhouse Inns to Houston has lastly arrived. The undeniably stylish Lodge Saint Augustine could also be sparkly and new, however with the succinct efforts that went into the seamless introduction of its presence within the neighborhood, it’s purposefully troublesome to note.
Fortunately, Lodge Saint Augustine lacks what all Bunkhouse properties lack — the gaudiness and unapproachability sometimes related to excessive profile luxurious resorts. It’s cozy. Situated close to what’s arguably one of the serene and lauded museum parks within the nation, The Menil Assortment, Lodge Saint Augustine’s buildout is so efficiently unassuming that the road of which property is an amenity to the opposite begins to blur — and that’s the objective.
“Within the design of Lodge Saint Augustine, we have been impressed by each the adjoining Menil Assortment and the encircling neighborhood. The structure of the lodge references the grey palette of the Menil Assortment and the low-rise, residential scale of Montrose,” Lake|Flato associate Chris Krajcer tells CultureMap. “Drawing inspiration from the early modernist homes of Louis Khan and Rudolph Schindler, the structure may be very quiet in spirit, balancing a composition of solids and voids. We crafted the location as a succession of buildings ordered round a sequence of courtyards, in order that the visitor expertise is considered one of being immersed in an inviting backyard.”
Unfold out over two acres, 5 buildings, and expertly curated inexperienced areas, the utilization of muted brick, uncooked wooden, and black metal, catwalk-style elevated walkways permits Lodge Saint Augustine to really feel like an extension of its neighbors: The Menil Assortment and The College of Saint Thomas.
Upon passing by way of the principle entrance into the courtyard, guests will discover aromatic Douglas Fir clads the underside of all overhead constructions, permeating the air throughout any time spent on the property.
Notably, the courtyard and Augustine Lounge are open and accessible to the general public — you don’t must be a visitor to point out up and hang around. The aforementioned Augustine Lounge is comprised of a large number of seated gathering areas, together with an elongated frequent desk with seating to match. This house, together with all others throughout the lounge, has been designed with an intention for precise utility—it’s not for present.
As soon as engrossed within the house, one can really feel the intention. Comfortably-upholstered classic lounge furnishings populates areas round work areas, one-on-one seated desk nooks, a walk-up lounge bar, and 70s-era seating beneath an ambiance-setting, reel-to-reel tape deck verify that the Augustine Lounge is a authentic “third place” for the neighborhood. The vibe is decidedly a great, old style throwback to the unique Montrose mantra: show-up, get comfy, keep awhile.
“For us, Lodge Saint Augustine provides an opportunity to develop into a part of a neighborhood that deeply aligns with the Bunkhouse ethos,” Bunkhouse senior VP of design and growth Tenaya Hills says. “Montrose, and by extension, the Museum District and Houston at giant, foster an unimaginable sense of group, of creativity, of previous world and new. We needed to create a spot the place everybody might come and really feel as welcome and impressed. As the following iteration of our Saint resorts, we intention to supply the identical distinctive feeling of seclusion, of permission to be indulgent, and, most of all, utterly comfortable.”
Bunkhouse enlisted architectural agency Lake|Flato for this venture, accompanied by New York and Wyoming-based Publish Firm for inside design, with Ten Eyck taking cost of the landscaping. Award-winning Houston chef Aaron Bludorn is on the helm of the extremely anticipated Perseid restaurant, which might be open all day, seven days per week starting in January and likewise accommodate Augustine Lounge and in-room eating. Whereas the lodge is especially named in honor of the patron saint of printing and sits throughout the road from the Menil Drawing Institute, Perseid is aptly named after the annual meteor bathe that peaks throughout — you guessed it — the month of August.
The structure of Lodge Saint Augustine displays ideas of famed Houston architect Philip Johnson, who was the architect for The College of Saint Thomas, in addition to the non-public architect to John and Dominique De Menil, whereas the lodge’s inside is a really intentional nod to the De Menil’s private inside designer Charles James. James and Johnson have been famously as fond of each other as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. But, right here they’re, paired as soon as once more.
Friends of the 71 room lodge could also be delighted to be taught that over 50 % of the largely courtyard-facing rooms and suites have both balcony or terrace areas, full with ceiling followers for Houston’s oftentimes stagnant summer time days. Talking of summer time days, the quaint round pool might be heated in addition to cooled. Those that go for a a dip within the pool will discover it refreshingly cool.
Rooms and suites (beginning at $429 per evening) supply opulently-upholstered velvet beds with crisply-pressed and embroidered white linens. Whimsically-upholstered furnishings solidify the comfy environment all through the remainder of the property. Bogs flip moody with the introduction of shiny, deep-green tiles, bullnosed marble, and glistening chrome {hardware} fixtures. Marquee-style vainness lighting deliberately mimics that of the first rest room of Dominique de Menil, whereas thoughtfully wall-hung shelving is offered for storing private gadgets. Elegantly refined in scent, in-room spa merchandise are by Los Angeles-based, woman-owned Klur. Except for the furnishings and the seamlessly built-in minibar and fridge, visitor rooms are noticeably stark in hopes of participating a visitor’s unconscious — go discover.
Perched above the long run Perseid sits the treehouse-like ballroom. Along with its 1,850 sq. toes, there’s a 1,200-square-foot pre-event house in addition to a 260-square-foot balcony. In whole, the ballroom can accommodate 130 seated or 250 standing visitors. The largely glassed-in house provides courtyard views.
Panorama architects at Ten Eyck labored alongside Hempstead’s The John Fairey Backyard for years cultivating largely native vegetation that may present lush views 12 months spherical. Nobody ought to fear concerning the giant pecan tree that vastly predates the lodge; it stays in what’s now the courtyard and is poised to gather a completely new technology of followers.
The well-curated retail and check-in house of Lodge Saint Augustine’s foyer is designed in juxtaposition to the opposite public-facing areas. Brilliant purple, high-gloss, cubist shelving encapsulates the expertly-mitered Calacatta Viola marble desk that’s central to the room. Alongside the considerably anticipated choices of espresso desk books and branded accoutrements lie gilded packing containers of bijou, attention-grabbing equipment and objets, in addition to branded, shiny blue tennis balls for any very-welcome four-legged lodge visitors to take pleasure in.
Lodge Saint Augustine selected Louisville-based Miscellaneous Items Firm to supply “Grayhaven,” which would be the signature scent for the lodge. The incense is a mix of moss, pine, and saltwater scents that lend themselves to a decidedly “wealthy man library” vibe. The most effective half about this very singular scent is that when greeting buddies for a meal at Perseid, one received’t must share that they’ve simply strolled over from pre-drinks at Augustine Lounge — they’ll already know.
