HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Galveston-born Tilman Fertitta, who has spent his entire adult life in Houston, has recently been in the headlines for his $2.2 billion purchase of the Houston Rockets. The 60-year-old, however, has long been a prolific entrepreneur. As sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment, he controls not only the NBA’s Houston Rockets but also the restaurant and hospitality powerhouse Landry’s, the Golden Nugget casino and hotel chain, and notable properties such as the award-winning San Luis Resort in Galveston and The Westin Houston Downtown. Fertitta has developed several Houston-area landmarks, including the Downtown Aquarium, the Kemah Boardwalk and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Altogether, his portfolio includes more than 600 properties across 36 U.S. states and in over 15 countries. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston System and is known to television audiences as the star of CNBC’s reality series “Billion Dollar Buyer.”
One of Fertitta’s newest Houston initiatives drawing attention is The Post Oak, a major mixed-use project on a prime site near Loop 610 and San Felipe Street. To learn more about one of the city’s early vertical mixed-use developments, Realty News Report spoke with Fertitta about the project’s progress and vision.
Realty News Report: How is your passion project, The Post Oak, progressing? When will it open?
Tilman Fertitta: The Post Oak is scheduled to open in early 2018. The development spans about 10 acres and features a 38-story tower alongside an elegant, expansive 16,000-square-foot ballroom—the largest in the Galleria and Uptown Houston area. The 700,000-square-foot tower is designed to serve both business and leisure travelers with 250 luxury hotel rooms, more than 150,000 square feet of boutique office space, and 20 executive residences, all finished to a high standard and offering unobstructed views of surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Houston.
The tower’s arrival is meant to be a memorable experience: an open plaza upon entry with a grand chandelier, curated artwork and comfortable lounge areas. The lobby is finished with refined materials and overlooks a striking pool. The Post Oak’s grounds emphasize greenery, including mature oak trees and tranquil fountains, and guests can dine outdoors at several patios that include Texas’ first Mastro’s Steakhouse and a new Willie G’s Seafood. The project also includes distinctive amenities such as a two-story showroom for Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Bugatti automobiles.
Realty News Report: For much of your career you’ve been known as a restaurant entrepreneur. The Post Oak is a vertical mixed-use tower combining hotel, office, residences and retail in one of Houston’s most prestigious submarkets. Why take on a complex project like this now?
Tilman Fertitta: I’ve actually been involved in real estate development for most of my career, buying and developing land across the country. I own and operate five Golden Nugget casino and hotel properties—in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Atlantic City, Biloxi and Lake Charles—as well as notable hospitality assets like the San Luis Resort in Galveston and The Westin Houston Downtown. My entertainment properties include the Downtown Aquarium Houston, the 42-acre Kemah Boardwalk, and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The Post Oak is a natural addition to that portfolio. Hospitality is my passion, and this is my hometown. I felt Houston needed a hotel of this caliber, and I wanted to build it.
Realty News Report: The Post Oak is one of Houston’s first vertical mixed-use projects. What marketing challenges do you expect?
Tilman Fertitta: Houston is a great city, but it lacks new luxury hotels—there haven’t been many true luxury hotel developments here in decades. Existing higher-end options often offer limited bathroom fixtures and date back nearly 40 years. The Post Oak aims to raise the bar: guests will enjoy personalized touches such as monogrammed pillows and a choice of linens. My primary goal is to deliver a level of service that ranks among the best hotels in the United States.
Realty News Report: You’ve said The Post Oak may not turn a profit for some time. Why pursue it anyway?
Tilman Fertitta: I’ve talked for years about building a project like this. My approach is long term—I’m not a flipper or a short-term seller. I’m focused on what this property will be worth in 25 years, not just its first-year returns. The Post Oak is intended as a generational asset that will remain in my family for the long term.