tilman joseph fertitta yacht

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Boat of the Week: Meet ‘Boardwalk,’ Houston Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta’s Showstopping 252-Foot Superyacht

This vessel has a long, instantly recognizable profile. but it's the myriad interior details—and the interplay of light and crystal—that define her., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

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At the end of February, Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta and his family held an annual Mardi Gras celebration, which they call the San Luis Salute. The event, which included local officials and celebrities, was headlined by the band Maroon 5. But the most visible VIP guest at the gala was Fertitta’s majestic new superyacht, Boardwalk.  

The 252-foot Feadship is indeed a showstopper. It was the largest vessel at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and hundreds of people walking the docks took selfies against Boardwalk ’s towering stern, with a H130 helicopter perched on the top deck. Fertitta and his family enjoyed the show from the comfort of the yacht—from the main-deck’s rear cockpit lounge to be precise.

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It’s Fertitta’s favorite spot on his new yacht, a sanctuary protected from the wind and sun, but still exposed to the ocean. It’s also a microcosm of Boardwalk ’s very intricate design. The stern has the requisite lounges, bar and large flat-screen television, but that’s where it differs from other yachts. The ceiling has delicate curves, there are many lights embedded into the area above the bar, and the trim on the columns supporting the stern’s overhang is highly stylized.

The abundance of crystal and lighting define Boardwalk ‘s formal dining area.  Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

“I don’t think any other owner pays as much attention to the details,” Fertitta told Robb Report during a visit to the yacht. “If you look at the bigger yachts, they really don’t vary much with standard features like ceilings and lighting.”

“Tilman came in with all the important details—all the details that really make the difference in this boat,” adds Amy Halffman, who worked closely with Fertitta on the design. “He’s an extreme detail man, down to the quarter of an inch.”

The Houston entrepreneur has made a highly successful career out of paying attention to the details. Named by Forbes as the “World’s Wealthiest Restaurateur,” the chairman of Fertitta Entertainment and chairman of Landry’s has an empire that also includes the Houston Rockets NBA team, multiple restaurants, Bentley and Rolls-Royce dealerships, and five-star hotels.

The contrast of the black stairwell with the white floors is dramatic, nicely offset by the custom stainless-steel inlays along the railings.  Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

Fertitta’s Post Oak Hotel in Houston, in fact, provided inspiration for Boardwalk . “We spent a lot of time meeting at the hotel,” says Halffman. “He had a lot of input into that design, which is classy and elegant, so we decided to reflect that style on the yacht.”

This Feadship is actually Halffman’s fifth yacht project with Fertitta, the other four Boardwalks being a succession of ever-larger Westports, the most recent being 165 feet in length. After owning it for 12 years, “it felt like time for a larger project,” says Fertitta. “One that was more complex and elaborate.”

While upsizing by almost 100 feet sounds like a simple hull stretch, the Feadship has 1,848 gross tonnes of interior volume, compared to 492 on the last Westport—in other words, the latest Boardwalk has nearly four times as much interior as the last one. That makes not only for a very complicated build—something which bespoke builder Feadship is used to—but also a new mindset for the interior design, which the design team needed to wrap their heads around.

A more relaxed vibe in the owner’s office.  Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

Halffman and design partner Frank Woll came up with the concept about four years ago, and then worked closely with the owner on the yacht’s many features. There are hundreds of features, seen and unseen, that distinguish the interior.

The most noticeable—arresting, in fact—is a whimsical, fantasy-like sculpture of a bronze female form with a dress of flowing crystals, diamonds and pearls. The work by Estella Fransbergen is strategically placed in the main entry. “She’s like a guardian angel,” says the sculptor, noting it took nearly two years to complete. “She was originally going to be placed by the staircase, but we moved her so she greets everyone.”

“I’d seen Estella’s work years ago and admired it,” says Halffman. “The torso of the woman’s body appealed to everyone and proved to be a launchpad for me. It played off all the other features.” They include an enormous crystal in the main foyer, pendant chandeliers in the formal dining area beside a case with crystal wear, and bespoke crystal light fixtures on the nearby stairway—which also has a beautiful stainless railing that resembles a feature from the last Boardwalk , but on a much grander scale.

The main salon, with detailed lighting overhead. Notice the backlighting on the rear bar.  Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

The designers looked for striking but elegant stones—a white opal for the salon and an onice grigio for the sky lounge—mixed with Sapele, mahogany and other dark-stained woods that show contrast with the light-colored fabrics and tiling. The wine cellar even has a custom stainless-steel design that gives it a distinctive look. In all, 55 stones, marbles and tiles were used across the yacht.

Of course, all these stunning details were made possible by the ubiquitous placement of lighting, both direct and indirect, something that Fertitta understands with almost a scientific precision. His previous Westport had four times more lights than the yard had ever put on the 164-foot series. This Feadship paid even more attention to the lighting. Even the beach club, with its lounge and dedicated dive and watersports locker, has a stylish, deliberate look. The bar has a light fixture comprised of Swarovski crystals.

The yacht, though immense, is easy to navigate. Fertitta and longtime captain Tristan Judson paid attention to the functional aspects, creating an open foredeck where the two Hogdon-built tenders are stored, adding the ability to use the massive area for social occasions. The sundeck has a mosaic-tiled swimming pool, and above that is an observation deck with a mast. On that level, one gets a sense of how large Boardwalk really is, surrounded by smaller superyachts at the Fort Lauderdale show.

The intricate details on the day head—typically a forgotten space—give a sense of the how the design team approached the interior.  Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

Still, the owner and his designers managed to keep a sense of intimacy throughout, installing what they call a “country kitchen” as the owner’s galley, to allow more informal meals and socializing than the main dining room, while retaining the yacht’s professional galley for the staff on another deck. Fertitta, who often works on board, has an office dressed with light-colored fabrics, lounges and glass doors to access the exterior decks.

The Feadship may not be Fertitta’s last yacht. Rumor has it that he’s talking to European yards about an even larger Boardwalk . When asked about it, he says simply: “I love to build things.”

Some other angles.

Courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

Courtesy Boardwalk

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Cool Spaces: Step aboard Tilman Fertitta's luxury mega-yacht

At 164-feet long, 31-feet wide and almost 500 tons, this is no ordinary yacht. Welcome aboard "The Boardwalk", Houston businessman Tilman Fertitta's luxury ocean vessel and favorite toy.

The $40 million yacht has 12 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, grand salons, and a true chef's kitchen with steamers, warming drawers, and walk-in fridge and freezer.

The master suite features an owner's office, opulent bedroom with space to spare, and a gorgeous bathroom.

No expense was spared on the outdoor space either. "The Boardwalk" boasts multiple decks, lounges, scooters for land excursions, and even a helicopter pad.

Fertitta, his family and crew travel the world on the yacht. Some of his favorite stops are the Bahamas and the Mediterranean.

"It's one of those things I always wanted and I'll always have. It isn't cheap, I can tell you that," Fertitta said with a smile. "But every time I walk on it, I tell myself, 'God, I love this boat.'"

SEE ALSO: Jerry Jones becomes owner of new $250 million 'superyacht'

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Tilman Fertitta debuts new $150 million mega-yacht in Galveston

The Mardi Gras floats may be put away until 2023, but Tilman Fertitta's new mega-yacht, "Boardwalk," will probably be afloat indefinitely.

Fertitta introduced the 252-foot floating palace last week in Galveston during his family's annual Mardi Gras bash, the San Luis Salute.

Photo : Creative Commons

Actually, this is the second "Boardwalk." It replaces an apparently used-up and obviously inferior 153-foot model.

Designed by De Voogt Naval Architects for about $150 million, the new-and-improved boat has 12 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a genuine chef's kitchen, a swimming pool, and a helipad.

Don't forget the wine room, crystal chandeliers and a 16-seat dining table. And since it has three levels, it comes with a handy elevator.

The family will apparently hold on to the original "Boardwalk," presumably for navigating waters that won't accommodate the larger craft. Or perhaps for hosting B-List celebs.

Fertitta, CEO and owner of Landry's Inc., also owns the Houston Rockets.

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🔒Insiders: Go inside Tilman Fertitta’s ultra-luxe yacht, a ‘mansion on the water’

Amanda Cochran , Digital Special Projects Manager

HOUSTON – Houston billionaire and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta showed KPRC 2 inside his luxurious new yacht he docked in Galveston around Mardi Gras.

This is Fertitta’s sixth yacht. The owner of the restaurant giant Landry’s, Inc. and Golden Nugget Casinos told KPRC 2′s Frank Billingsley he played an integral part in designing “the boat” -- the term he prefers for the massive yacht he has dubbed The Boardwalk. The yacht, he explained, was ordered several years ago and took two-and-a-half years to build. It was finished during the pandemic.

Fertitta said in addition to a pool, luxury accommodations, bars on each level and water sport vehicles, the yacht has a full office with full communications around the world.

In addition to docking in Galveston, Fertitta said in the next few years he plans to enjoy “the boat” around the world, with plans to dock in places like the Bahamas, Mexico, Greece, Croatia and more.

Watch more with Fertitta and Billingsley in the video above.

You can also take a detailed look inside the massive yacht below and learn more about how the yacht is manned with the yacht captain in the second video below.

Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

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King H. Kevin Teichman with Queen Ashton Grace Teichman, Tilman Fertitta and duchesses at the San Luis Salute. (Photo by ave Rossman)

Pitbull performs at Tilman Fertitta's San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Paige Fertitta, Blake Fertitta, Blayne Fertitta at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Gary Fountain)

State Senator Carol Alvarado and University of Houston System chancellor and president Renu Khator at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Tilman Fertitta's $150 million, 77-meter yacht 'Boardwalk' welcoming San Luis Salute Mardi Gras VIPs. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Jefferies Group CEO and billionaire Rich Handler at The San Luis Salute in Galveston. (Photo by Gary Fountain)

Maria & Neil Bush at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Gary Fountain)

Entertainers at the San Luis Salute Friday Feb. 17,2023 in Galveston.

Lance & Alicia Smith at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Sophie Titterington and her father Chris Titterington at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Dana Wempe, Blake Fertitta at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Magnificent table settings at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Gary Fountain)

Kelly Wainscott, Craig Kovacevich at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Mardi Gras partying aboard Tilman Fertitta's yacht, 'The Boardwalk' at the San Luis Salute. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Patrick Fertitta, Paige Fertitta, Blake Fertitta at the San Luis Salute. (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Caroline Brown, Elizabeth Kohlhausen at the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras ball at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. (Photo by Gary Fountain)

Hailey & Thomas Kleiderer at the San Luis Salute (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Tilman Fertitta, Patrick Fertitta with Hollywood and New York Influencers at the San Luis Salute.

Pitbull performs at the San Luis Salute (Photo by Dave Rossman) F

Inside Tilman Fertitta’s Wild Mardi Gras — Pitbull Rollicking, Superyacht Fun and Billionaire Glamour Bring Magic to Galveston

This 26th annual san luis salute is one unforgettable party.

What: The 26th annual San Luis Salute

Where: The Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort

PC Moment: For more than two decades, this Mardi Gras bash , hosted by billionaire Tilman Fertitta and his family, has set the bar for out-of-this-world partying in the stratosphere of revelry. The 2023 bacchanal was no exception with Pitbull reprising his Mardi Gras star turn from 2016, with 1,800 partygoers (who made it a sellout within mere hours) donning Fat Tuesday finery, and with Richard Flowers and The Events Company delivering on the ever fabulous decor.

As any hospitality-focused billionaire would do to launch his special evening, Fertitta invited a select coterie of VIPs to board his 77-meter $150 million mega-yacht The Boardwalk , shoes left dockside thank you, for a sunset champagne fête. This included the Knights of Momus Duchesses, their dates and parents, politicos and Fertitta’s powerhouse investment buddies from New York and beyond. Veuve Clicquot, yes.

Tilman & Pitbull’s Special Friendship

Fertitta had hosted Pitbull aboard his Feadship earlier in the day for a bit of BFF schmoozing between the two dynamos who over the past 12 years have forged a close friendship. It was then that a children’s Mardi Gras parade came winding down the pier. When participants spotted the famed rapper they headed to The Boardwalk where the amiable star joined the youngsters to create the hottest Instagram moments of the day.

Partying Mardi Gras Style

“The Gilded Masquerade” theme of the gala was a nod to the glamour of Mardi Gras. Masks neither required nor encouraged. Guests entering the ballroom were greeted by fire dancers, an aerial violinist, showgirls adorned in bright yellow feathered costumes, silt walkers, seductive dancers, sword-swallowing showmen and the rocking sounds of The Big Beyond.

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In the grand entry, the Fertitta family was introduced and recognized for their contributions to Mardi Gras Galveston and the ball’s support of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). The evening honored Dr. Gulshan Sharma , senior vice president and chief medical & clinical innovation officer at UTMB.

Among those joining the grand entry procession were King Frivolous CVII H. Kevin Teichman and Momus Queen Ashton Grace Teichman , mayoral candidate and State Representative John Whitmire , Jefferies Financial Group CEO and billionaire  Rich Handler and wife Martha , CNBC anchor Brian Sullivan , founder and managing director of North Point Advisors Dave Jacquin and wife Heidi , University of Houston System president and chancellor Renu Khator and husband Suresh Khator , along with a host of local and state officials. Add Hollywood and New York Influencers Eugene Remm, Mark Birnbaum , Jeff Beacher  and Doug Jacobs to the mix.

PC Seen: The fashionable crowd included Paige Fertitta, Blake Fertitta and Dana Wempe, Blayne Fertitta and Peter Mavredakis, Patrick Fertitta, Joy and Vic Fertitta, Momus president Scott Rice and wife Renee, Maria and Neil Bush, Dancie and Jim Ware, Kelley and George Georgiades, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Dash Kohlhausen , and  Kirstin and John Burger .

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