Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1534561
Call for Entries Two Blockbuster Fashion Openings in River Oaks District F ew hotels have as storied a history as the Waldorf Astoria New York — and now Texas is getting one of its own in Fredericksburg. The original, which opened on Park Avenue in 1931, has many distinctions: It was the first hotel to have electricity on every floor, the first to have en suite baths, and the first to offer 24-hour room service. The hotel has served as the backdrop for too many movies to count. What I wouldn't pay to kick back a few martinis in Peacock Alley, the NY hotel's soon-to-be-unveiled lounge. The sprawling 106-acre Fredericksburg property is expected to open in 2027 in Texas' popular wine-tasting destination. The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country and Waldorf Astoria Residences Texas Hill Country will have 60 dedicated hotel rooms and suites, 37 branded multi-bedroom resort villas (part of an extended rental program), and 50 branded private residences with all- encompassing views of this picture-perfect region, as well as an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with two pools. Expect five food and beverage concepts, likely to be helmed by a renowned culinary talent. It's all being designed in collaboration with Studio Caban, FAB Studio, Tipler Group, Studio Outside, and Paul Duesing Partners. Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country joins the brand's portfolio of more than 30 properties around the globe, with another 30-plus in the pipeline. BTW, the historic New York hotel (which closed in 2017 for renovations) is slated for a soft opening this spring after a reported $1 billion reimagining, with reservations being taken for September 1 and beyond. Billy Fong 12 Pucci opening in River Oaks District Rendering of the new Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country P aperCity is accepting entries for the 2025 PaperCity Design Awards, which recognizes outstanding interior and architectural design, hospitality and retail design, landscape design, and product, textile, and furniture design among the 22 categories. The PaperCity Design Awards is open to all Houston-area designers and architects, landscape designers, and product designers regardless of professional affiliation. Designer or architect must have an office or reside in the Houston area, but the project can be located anywhere in the world. Winning projects will be announced at the PaperCity Design Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 27, and projects will be published in the October issue of PaperCity magazine (50,000 issues) and online (5.4 million monthly page views). Explore categories and submit entries at papercitymag.com/designawards. Deadline is May 7. Information, dani@papercitymag.com. R iver Oaks District continues its top-tier designer roll out with the reveal that Italian fashion house Pucci and legendary fragrance brand Maison Francis Kurkdjian are opening boutiques later this spring — the first Texas stores for both. River Oaks District was purchased last spring by soon-to-be U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta. In less than a year since his takeover, Loewe, Stefano Ricci, L'Agence, Adam Lippes, and Biologique Recherche have opened, with this being the first Texas store for several of the brands. Carolina Herrera is slated to open later this year. Pucci's boutique, next to Oliver Peoples, will be the fashion house's fourth U.S. location. The designer's kaleidoscopic use of color is easily recognized, but the history of the brand is less known. Emilio Pucci founded his namesake brand in 1947. A one-time Olympic skier, he designed a one-piece ski suit for a friend, which was featured in the 1948 issue of Harper's Bazaar. His client base grew to include Sophia Loren, Jackie Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe. Today, creative director Camille Miceli is at the helm, and Pucci has been seen on Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Margot Robbie. When Maison Francis Kurkdjian opens, it will be the brand's second location in the U.S. Parisian perfumer Francis Kurkdjian rose to fame in 1995 when he created Le Mâle for Jean Paul Gaultier, which became one of the world's best- selling men's fragrances. He is particularly noted for recreating Marie A n t o i n e t t e 's f a v o r i t e perfume, as well as for creating the divine Baccarat Rouge 540 in 2015. Shelby Hodge Maison Francis Kurkdjian OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS.