Featured Project Four Seasons Houston Toro Toro Houston, Texas Scroll To Back Scroll Intro By the Numbers Vision Elements Experience Challenges Innovations Results Team Members News More Pan-Latin flare meets modern elegance HITT grabbed the toro (meaning bull in Spanish) by the horns and took on this exciting restaurant renovation to modernize the illustrious Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston. Location Houston, Texas Client Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Project Type Hospitality Renovation Key Partners BMGI Group IA Naman + Associates Inventure Design Meyer Davis RAL Development Services Richard Sandoval Hospitality By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers $4,500,000 CONTRACT VALUE 22 Weeks SCHEDULE 11,000 SQUARE FEET 2021 YEAR COMPLETED 8 NEW SPEAKEASY SEATS Vision Vision Vision Vision Vision The Four Seasons Houston aimed to reinvent the culinary experience in its in-house restaurant to remain best-in-class in the burgeoning Houston food scene. Client Goals After 15 years with the previous in-house restaurant, the Four Seasons partnered with Chef Richard Sandoval to create an exclusive atmosphere for the guests in the high-end, luxurious hotel. The award-winning Latin-Asian cuisine offers a unique dining experience to visitors and locals. Design Vision The Four Seasons hoped to combine modern elegance with the traditional Latin-American flare of the chain while maintaining the design consistency shared across six global Toro Toro restaurants. A hidden speakeasy bar was included to elevate the space and add a sense of glamour to the already alluring space. Construction Focus HITT’s on-site team was heavily involved in design-assist efforts to embrace the client's vision and overcome logistical obstacles, as many of the intricate design features required meticulous attention to detail. The team’s dedication to detail and craft was a core element in the project's success. Elements Elements Elements Elements Elements Speakeasy Bar The speakeasy included brilliant custom millwork, requiring extensive design-assist efforts and attention to detail to ensure precise and functional constructability of the space. Vitrine Walls Two custom fireplaces were embedded in floor-to-ceiling double vitrine walls, requiring all elements that run a fireplace to be hidden underground. Additionally, the wall needed to support a luxurious 600-pound door, which required a significant amount of structural considerations. Free-Hanging Bar A bar needed to be secure enough through a singular central beam to hold back-lit stone and liquor bottles. Through hands-on design-assist efforts, we ensured structural support while maintaining the bold design intent. The HITT Experience The HITT Experience The HITT Experience The HITT Experience The HITT Experience Four Seasons celebrates the guest experience, and HITT embraced that in all facets of the execution of this project. First, we planned around the guest experience to ensure that no guests’ stays were disrupted by construction. Additionally, we engaged with trusted manufacturers to ensure critical materials would be delivered on time, thus protecting the grand opening date. With the intricate details of the project, coordination and phasing of subcontractors’ work for proper sequencing was critical. Throughout the project, HITT worked meticulously and closely with every subcontractor partner to ensure we were providing a premier construction experience. THE HITT EXPERIENCE Solutions Solutions Solutions Solutions Solutions Unique Challenges, Smart Solutions Ambitious projects require carefully constructed solutions Challenge #1 The design featured floating bar shelving that would be difficult to construct from an engineering perspective. Solution HITT worked with all stakeholders and engaged an engineering firm to perform constructability reviews, ensuring the shelves were secure enough to support the weight of bottles and safe for all Toro Toro team members and future guests. Challenge #2 To create a secret speakeasy, the entrance would have to be hidden in a bookcase that needed to match with the adjacent shelving. Solution HITT considered all structural implications to install the secret door safely, and used special hinges to ensure the door was even with the other shelves and remained a “secret” to passerby visitors. Challenge #3 The fireplace required design-assist efforts to ensure it met city code and functioned properly. Additionally, it had multiple finishes surrounding it that required tremendous coordination. Solution HITT worked with multiple stakeholders and city officials to ensure both fireplaces were up-to-code and coordinated all the trades that intertwined at the fireplace to ensure proper sequencing and timing of the subcontractors. Structural Innovation HITT installed a show-stopping floating bar, which included two oversized shelves that did not connect with the ceiling on either side, and was supported solely by a central support bar. This engineering feat required many constructability reviews and careful collaboration to find a solution. The Results After getting a drink from the custom floating bar, guests can lounge while waiting for their table. The open concept of the main dining room allows for beautiful natural light to filter through the space. The fine details of this space required intense attention to detail to ensure the finishes fit together seamlessly. The stunning fireplace and warm finishes make this space the perfect spot to enjoy an intimate dinner before looking for the secret entrance to the speakeasy bar. Executives Executives Executives Executives Executives Key Team Members Paul Zimmerman Vice President Houston Peter Lanfranchi Senior Vice President & Business Unit Leader Hospitality Washington, DC News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights View All Insights Welcome to HITT’s R&D Microlearnings Microlearnings are now in session! Hear from our Vice President of Research and Development (R&D) Megan Lantz as we dive ... News Virginia Tech Dedicates Hitt Hall New 100,000 sf building for Virginia Tech's Myers-Lawson School of Construction named in honor of the Hitt family supports innovation ... Related Related Related Related Related You may be interested in... St. Gregory Hotel Lobby Hilton Headquarters First Floor Let's chat. Work With HITT Learn More