Where: The Allen, the $500 million, luxury mixed-use project that spreads across six acres along Allen Parkway overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park

PC Moment: The two-tiered event began on the 30th floor of the tower, which will house both the hotel and the residences, with a beam-signing by principals in the project led by DC Partners founder and CEO Roberto Contreras along with development partners from Westmont Hospitality, TQ Real Estate Development, GT Leach, Abel Design Group and HOK. Hard hats were in order.

Back on terra firma, the hard hats were abandoned as the group welcomed some 200 guests joining the topping out celebration in The Allen sales center. Those not previously introduced to the project were agog at the hotel/residential amenities including restaurants, 24-hour concierge and room service, a lavish spa, and breathtaking views of the city from the pool deck. There are separate entrances and concierges for the hotel and residential tower. The tower also boasts a helipad that will be available to hotel guests and residents and, in planning for the future, is engineered to accommodate drone deliveries.

As Contreras likes to say, “As a visionary work of art and architecture, The Allen signals a new era in urban living, working and playing in Houston.”

Champagne toasts were the order of the night. Cocktails and light bites were served as musicians played. As special entertainment for guests, the 30-story tower was illuminated in a laser light show that traced the various floors of the tower.