Swanky River Oaks High-Rise Opens With an Over-the-Top Party to Remember

Wowza! When was the last time you went to a party serving Macallan scotch and lobster with truffle butter? A night that included future wave music, a contortionist in a sphere, displays of great artwork and tours of designer-decorated environs.

If you attended the grand opening of The Wilshire at River Oaks District, you had it all.

Pelican Builders founder and developer Robert Bland welcomed a colorful collection of more than 200 influencers to the launch of his latest high-rise landmark. Designed by Kirksey Architecture, The Wilshire rises 17 stories at 2047 Westcreek Lane.

Guests partied in the fourth floor residents lounge and across the expansive pool deck. They also had the opportunity to visit three fully-dressed homes amid the building’s 96 residences. Throughout the sleek condominium structure, guests could view contemporary artwork selected by Barbara Davis Gallery.

Champagne, vodka, Brugal 1888 Rum and Macallan were served along with taste sensations from Steak 48 — sliced New York strip and lobster on a hash brown stack with truffle butter, wild mushroom confit served on parmesan crostini, crab cakes and mini vanilla caramel cakes, served warm. The specialty cocktail of the night, The High Rise, was concocted from Snow Leopard Vodka, Aperol, red berry brandy, prosecco and rosemary.

Future wave music was provided by BrandonD of the Night Drive duo while contortionist Rachel Reaneau performed her eye-popping routine inside a cirque sphere.

Of the 14 floor plans, with prices starting at $800,000, three had been dressed in contemporary style by three interiors firms — BeDesign, Mark Williams Design Associates and Tipler Design Group — giving potential buyers an imaginative boost.

Who: Pelican Builders president Derek Darnell and his wife Sveta; Martha Turner and Glen Bauguss, Louise and Robert Bland Jr., David Gow, Barbara Davis, Gigi Huang, James Sivco, Mariana Saldaña, Allison Bland Flick and Bryan Flick, Lesli and James Geitz, Sandra Boza, Kathe Broussard and Fox 26’s CoCo Dominguez.