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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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Meet The Boardwalk: Tilman Fertittas ultra-luxe yacht

Billionaire Tilman Fertitta shows KPRC 2's Frank Billingsley inside his new yacht that was docked off of Galveston around Mardi Gras.

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Welcome to the Boardwalk FantaSea, Cruising from the Kemah Boardwalk.

The premier destination for cruises in the Houston, Kemah, Clear Lake and Galveston Bay area! As the largest charter yacht anywhere on the legendary Gulf Coast, the Boardwalk FantaSea is home to elegant dinner voyages, historic sightseeing along the water and unforgettable party cruises.

You can use this site to purchase tickets, book corporate events, weddings or special occasions and learn more about our wonderful services. No matter what you're looking for, the Boardwalk FantaSea is the yacht for you!

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Billionaire Tilman Fertitta aboard his superyacht Boardwalk in the Bahamas during a Forbes 400 interview. (Photo by Jamel Toppin for Forbes)

Tilman Fertitta's 252-foot superyacht 'Boardwalk' with the H130 helicopter perched on top (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

The swirling grand staircase on Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

The main salon on Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

Tilman Fertitta's office on his superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

The resplendent powder room on Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

The dining room on the main deck of Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

The sky lounge on Tilman Fertitta's superhyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

A primary suite aboard Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

Sculpture by Estella Fransbergen in the dining room of Tilman Fertitta's superyacht 'Boardwalk' (Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment)

Tilman Fertitta's 252-foot, $150 million superyacht Boardwalk courses through canals after departing Feadship's Aalsmeer shipyard in The Netherlands on its way to sea trials. (Photo courtesy of Feadship)

Tilman Fertitta's 164-foot yacht, Boardwalk, creates plenty of envy in ports around the world.

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

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

Blayne Fertitta at the 2022 San Luis Salute to Galveston Mardi Gras, pictured here on The Boardwalk, her fatherTilman Fertitta's 77-meter superyacht. (Photo by Rhea Hemming)

Houston Billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s Superyacht Causes a Greek Stir — The Boardwalk Continues to Turn Heads

The houston rockets owner travels on an anything but ordinary boat and the stories behind it are becoming legendary.

W hile hiking through the woods lining Greece’s Corinth Canal, a local Greek television reporter took a video of billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s superyacht Boardwalk squeezing through the Corinth Canal. He documented a snippet of the four mile journey and posted it on the TV station’s website with the headline: “Who is its billionaire owner?”

It didn’t take long for the Greek news hounds to discover that entertainment and sports mogul Fertitta was the owner. The video posted on the website shows the 252 foot long, 40 foot wide yacht gliding through the canal, which at its most narrow point is 69 feet. The manmade canal is the watery path leads from the Aegean to the Ionian sea, which opens to the Mediterranean

Sailing on a superyacht from the Greek Isles to the enchanting coast of Italy is definitely the realm of the world’s richest.

Recent reporting in national publications are shedding more light on the superyacht ‘s mastery of luxe design. Among the numerous amenities in the Tilman yacht that sleeps 14 — including the VIP suite — are a 120 bottle wine cellar, a lavishly decorated beauty/massage room, a 19-foot-long swimming pool, a bronze sculpture of a female form by Estella Fransbergen with a dress of flowing crystals, diamonds and pearls, and the billionaire requisite — a helicopter pad.

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

Robb Report first gushed over Fertitta’s superyacht in the luxury lifestyle magazine last year.

Get Tailgate Ready

In addition, the magazine quoted Seattle-based yacht interior designer Amy Halffmann. “Tilman came in with all the important details — all the details that really make the difference in this boat. He’s an extreme detail man, down to the quarter of an inch,” Halffmann told the magazine.

The luxe interiors of the Fertitta superyacht include 54 different types of stone, marble and tiles, including mother of pearl tiles, a light pendant by Charles Loomis , appliqués by Wired Custom Lighting and a glass sculpture from David Wright .

“I was going for classic elegance – beautiful spaces that could stand the test of time, and I think we achieved that,” Halffman tells Boat International .

A limited number of Houstonians and Galveston residents are privy to the superyacht as each year Fertitta transports this — his second Boardwalk — to Galveston during Mardi Gras. He entertains VIP guests at a cocktail reception aboard the superyacht before the billionaire and friends join a police escort caravan to the Galveston Convention Center for Fertitta’s San Luis Salute to Mardi Gras.

Now, the rest of the world is getting in on the fascination.

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Featuring waterfront fun and entertainment like no other Gulf Coast destination, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops.

Galveston, Texas

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The Pleasure Pier is located on Galveston Island at 25th & Seawall Blvd. You can take I-45 South until it turns into Broadway Ave.  Continue on Broadway and turn right on 25th Street. The Pier is straight ahead!

2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

409-766-4950

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Pleasure pier is one of the few spots in the world that has this many rides over the water you’ll be flying over guests on the pier, soaring over the gulf of mexico and anticipating your next ride, hours of operation , ride hours of operation are subject to change without notice. ride hours are seasonal., ***the revolution ride is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice.***, ticket information.

All Day Ride Passes, Single Ride Tickets, Combo Passes, Walk-On Passes, & Group Discounts are all available for purchase.

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Battleship Texas relocated in Galveston as it enters next phase of repairs

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Battleship Texas is getting closer to being restored.

Tug boats pulled the iconic ship Thursday morning to Pier A from Pier D at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair in Galveston.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Historic Battleship Texas returns to the water after 18-month-long dry dock repair

The move is for the next step in its restoration process.

Since 2022, nearly 300,000 man-hours have been spent replacing 700 tons of steel, painting the hull, and restoring and replacing anti-aircraft guns, among other repairs.

The Battleship Texas returned to the water just six months ago. Officials said spectator boats and pedestrians will not be allowed at the site or in the water.

The iconic ship served in both WWI and WWII and was called the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site home for over 70 years.

RELATED: Battleship Texas enters $15M restoration phase as it gets closer to calling Galveston, 'home'

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St. Petersburg has a unique history, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History has shared the city’s stories for 100 years. This must-see museum is open 7 days a week and offers some of the most unique exhibits you’ll find anywhere: The Odditorium with a two-headed calf and a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy. The Flight One Gallery with a working replica of the Benoist XIV airboat. And Schrader’s Little Cooperstown, which tells the story of America’s pastime through the world’s largest collection of baseballs. Much more awaits you, so plan your visit soon.

The St. Pete Pier offers over 500 on-site parking spaces as well as extensive bike parking and access via the Downtown Looper and Central Avenue Trolley.

For more information, including directions, rates, and nearby parking options, click here .

You just might find you’ve worked up an appetite, or thirst, when you reach the Pier Point. Teak, an elevated casual dining restaurant named after the tropical hardwood, is the marquee eatery in the elegant building at the end of the Pier. Located on the fourth floor of the Pier Point structure, Teak offers upscale dining imbued with a Florida flair, and lovely views of Tampa Bay and the ever-growing St. Pete skyline. Up on the roof, you can kick back at Pier Teaki, a modern take on the classic tiki bar. At ground level, there’s the Driftwood Cafe, rising nine feet from the Pier Point deck and connecting to the tilted lawn. It’s a casual walkup spot offering ice cream and snacks. These three places have the same local ownership as the nearby Birchwood, one of of Beach Drive’s hottest spots and home to The Canopy, St. Pete’s premier rooftop lounge.

Belgian artist Nick Ervinck has added to his vast portfolio of public artworks with “Olnetopia,” a water-like bronze sculpture with a patina finish that is installed near the Pier Point. He describes the organic form as “linked to hollowed rocks and the wild waters” and “represents the dynamic power of life and provides a warm welcome“ to the Pier.

A mosaic by renowned New York-based artist Xenobia Baily is approximately 23 feet wide and 7-and-a-half feet high. “Morning Stars” consists of several tiled configurations patterned after crocheted mandalas — in different sizes, shapes and colors.

This central hub of the St. Pete Pier features a cafe that offers grab-and-go food items, snacks and beverages, and a great place to people-watch. The Pavilion is surrounded by colorful tables and chairs, so you can munch on a snack, sip a drink, enjoy good times with friends and family, or just exhale and enjoy the view.

The pelican has long been a signature emblem of St. Petersburg, and in 2020, the City made it official by naming the brown pelican the City’s official bird. To honor the pelican, Nathan Mabry of Los Angeles has created an origami-style rendering of the city bird in brilliant red that is sure to thrill visitors at the entry of The Pier. The 10-foot-high sculpture has been fabricated from thick aluminum plate metal and coated with a satin painted finish. Look closely as you walk around the Pier; there are smaller red pelicans on display throughout the district!

Keep the kiddies cool — and tire them out in the process. At the Pier Plaza , visitors will find an interactive water feature that is both a fountain and a splash pad, with big and small vertical water jets. On warm days — and there are quite a few in this part of Florida! —  the area will be populated with frolicking youngsters. Of course, parents and grandparents are welcome, too. After a good soaking, visitors will be able to retire to the adjacent Bayfront Health Tilted Lawn to dry-off under the sun and catch a breath. Nearby shade trees are in abundance, along with a covered pavilion to enjoy snacks and cold drinks.

St. Petersburg is the birthplace of world-wide commercial aviation, so it’s appropriate that we commemorate that history in a suitable way. The Benoist Centennial Plaza (it’s pronounced “Ben-wah,” by the way) features a full-sized sculpture of the Benoist Airboat that pilot Tony Jannus flew on the First Airline round-trip to Tampa on January 1, 1914. His first passenger that day? St. Pete Mayor Abe Pheil, who paid a then-astronomical sum of $400. Fun historical fact: The exhibit is located on the exact same spot as the hangar used for the World’s First Airline.

This must-experience facility is operated by Tampa Bay Watch , a highly respected environmental organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary. Located on the over-water walkway approaching the Pier Point, the Discovery Center presents all you need to know about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem in a way that’s entertaining and hands-on.

From the outset, the city of St. Petersburg was committed to making the Pier both fun and educational. That’s why we’re proud to welcome the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center to the new St. Pete Pier. Established in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs. The space at The Pier is a must-see for people of all ages, offering interactive exhibits, video presentations, a touch tank, and docent-led tours. The center also houses a classroom space and an open-air wet classroom perfect for school field trips and summer camps. The wet classroom is bordered by walkways with railings and includes a covered observation deck.

Contact: (727) 291-4103

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• Adults (Age 13-61): $8
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• Florida Teachers (with ID): $3

Internationally renowned artist and Tampa Bay native Janet Echelman has created one of her famous billowing net sculptures to dazzle Pier visitors. “Bending Arc” measures a massive 72 feet at its highest point and 424 feet at its widest and is perpetually in motion with the wind. The artist titled the sculpture Bending Arc in reference to MLK’s words: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Janet Echelman, who grew up in Tampa and was educated at Harvard, has several of her billowing net sculptures in prominent places around the world, including one in Seattle commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Guggenheim Fellow’s artworks meet at the intersection of sculpture, architecture, urban design and engineering, and are often on the scale of buildings and city blocks. They are revered for their ability to move and shape-shift in response to their natural surroundings. The hypnotically immersive “Bending Arc” required 180 miles of twine and more than 1.5 million knots. It represents Echelman’s largest permanent artwork to date in a portfolio that includes huge pieces in San Francisco, West Hollywood, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Porto, Portugal and elsewhere.   In all, her work has been installed in 38 cities on four continents.

Dropping a line into the water has been a tradition at the St. Pete Pier since its earliest days in the late 1800s. The new Pier has a dedicated Fishing Platform built on caissons leftover from the Inverted Pyramid Pier, inviting you to get closer to the water — and the fish. Walk down a small set of steps to a spacious deck that accommodates a multitude of people enjoying one of St. Petersburg’s favorite pastimes in the fish-fertile waters of Tampa Bay.

Feel free to bring your own rods, reels, bait and tackle, but don’t fret if you want to fish on a whim. Gator Jim’s Tackle at the St. Pete Pier provides everything an angler could need — gear, tackle, nets, frozen bait and more. Also on the Fishing Platform is a dedicated fish cleaning station. Pier Gear & Gifts also offers brand-name sunglasses, jewelry, sundries, beach clothing and supplies, and art by local artists.

At the nautical-themed Glazer Family Playground, you’ll find an expansive, colorful playground conceived by one of North America’s premier playground designers. Your little ones can burn off energy on slides, swings, climbing structures, kiddie obstacle courses, activity nodes and more. This area is conveniently located between the Bending Arc Sculpture and Majeed Foundation Splash Pad.

Of all the places you can grab a bite on The Pier, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is where you’re most apt to find a party. The 10,000-square foot restaurant/bar serves authentic Florida fare and flavors from throughout the Caribbean Rim. A wildly successful destination restaurant with three other locations just south of Tampa Bay, Doc Ford’s takes its name from the main character in over 20 Florida-themed novels by best-selling author Randy Wayne White.

This Pier was made for walkin’. A continuous sidewalk and large pedestrian path allows for all the scenic strolling you’d ever want. You’ll start with terrific views of the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, its array of majestic boats and the city waterfront, loop south past Doc Ford’s restaurant and then to the Pier.

Just past the Pier Approach, the Family Park is one of the many eco-friendly aspects of the Pier — and a tree-populated park that’s ideal for a picnic. With lots of seating and shade, not to mention plenty of grass and flowers, this area is a charming little world unto itself. It overlooks the North Basin facing toward Vinoy Park and the Vinoy Renaissance Resort. The Picnic Area is also home to smaller events.

Located just past the Pier’s Gateway, the Marketplace features an array of independent vendors selling unique items in kiosks and under 10’x10’ tents. A solar roof structure provides shade as you browse the selections and meet the sellers.

St. Pete’s buy-local culture is represented in this lively bazaar, just a short walk past the Pier’s Gateway. Area vendors showcase and sell their wares in kiosks and beneath 10-by-10-foot tents. Shoppers can browse under a solar roof structure that provides ample shade. The Marketplace features a cast of vendors selling an array of products, many with a local flair.

The Pavilion is surrounded by colorful tables and chairs, so you can munch on a snack, sip a drink, enjoy good times with friends and family, or just exhale and enjoy the view. At the Pier Plaza , visitors will also find an interactive water feature that is both a fountain and the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad, with big and small vertical water jets. Perfect to keep the kiddies cool–while tiring them out in the process. 

Downtown St. Petersburg finally has a true beach it can be proud of! Spa Beach has been expanded and given a naturalized shoreline, and you can easily get here on foot from anywhere along St. Pete’s gorgeous downtown waterfront. Beach volleyball and other activities abound, and kayakers and paddleboarders can easily launch from this area. If you’re a visitor staying downtown, you can now get sand between your toes without having to drive across town to the Gulf Beaches.

The Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket, which runs along the north side of the Pier, invites you to take a relaxing walk or bike ride through an oasis of native Florida plants, trees and shrubs. Vegetation includes large trees like the wax myrtle, myrtle oak and white buttonwood, as well as sabal palms, palmettos, sea oats, and native grasses. The ADA-compliant boardwalk starts north of the Pavilion and runs all the way to the Pier Point — and it’s illuminated for evening strolls. Even though the Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket is a shady canopy, it lets in plenty of sun. This stretch of the Pier is ideal for getting outside in the hot Florida summers. And it only gets better in spring and autumn!