Solarium Turns Pickleball and Padel into a Premium, Multi-Revenue Experience

In a city where pickleball clubs are multiplying rapidly, Houston’s Solarium is setting itself apart by blending high-end hospitality, striking design and multi-sport energy.

The venue, co-created by Rex Hospitality Group and The Kirby Group, combines four pickleball courts, two padel courts, a chef-driven menu, curated cocktails and climate-controlled viewing bays — creating an experience co-founder Juan Carlos de Aldecoa calls “like being part of a country club without having to pay membership fees.”

While the courts are the initial draw, Solarium was designed to keep guests engaged — and spending — long after the games end. Inside, the glass-walled main bar anchors a stylish space with rich wood textures, velvet seating and earthy tones offset by “Rolex green” accents. The menu elevates traditional sports fare with dishes like bang bang shrimp, truffle grilled cheese and shakshuka, alongside craft cocktails and decadent desserts.

The main building also doubles as a flexible private event space, giving groups a vibrant, upscale setting complete with full-service food and beverage. Adjacent to the courts, a pro shop adds another revenue stream, selling and renting equipment, offering branded merchandise, and serving coffee and grab-and-go snacks in the morning.

For players, pricing is dynamic and adjusts based on demand. Pickleball courts typically run between $10 and $30 per session, while padel courts range from $20 to $40 — adding another lever for revenue optimization.

One of the venue’s most distinctive features is its air-conditioned viewing bays, crafted from repurposed shipping containers, that overlook the courts. These private, glass-fronted spaces have proven especially popular in Houston’s hot summer months, offering a premium upsell for private events, corporate outings and high-spend groups.

Running a facility that’s equal parts sports venue and full-service restaurant comes with unique demands. “Finding a good harmony between both projects is really important,” said de Aldecoa. “You’re running a full-blown restaurant, but you’re also running the courts. So it’s finding the right team that knows how to operate both.”

Court reservations are one of Solarium’s primary KPIs — and so far, demand is strong. “Our court reservations are pretty much booked, and future reservations are high as well,” said de Aldecoa. That booking volume not only drives revenue but also helps forecast staffing and food and beverage needs.

De Aldecoa hinted more Solariums may be on the way, and the team is also working on a fully indoor pickleball and padel venue slated for later this year. Ultimately, the group is betting on continued demand for luxury racquet sport experiences.

Founded in 2023 by Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., entrepreneur Juan Carlos de Aldecoa and lawyer Jimmy Doan, Rex Hospitality operates Solarium, MAVEN at Sawyer Yards, and three MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails locations. The Kirby Group, founded in 2004 by Jeff Barati and Andy Aweida, runs popular Houston venues including Heights Bier Garten, Pitch 25 Beer Park, Verde Garden and others.

For other operators considering an eatertainment model, de Aldecoa advised against waiting for the “perfect” launch. “It’s never going to be perfect and it’s never going to be a perfect opening,” he said. “If you have the idea, you have the space and you have somewhat of a team together, go ahead and go for it — because if you don’t start, the perfect time will never come.”

Photos courtesy of Becca Wright and Swiggard Creative.

Trinity Rea

Trinity Rea is a staff writer at Peake Media, contributing to Pickleball Innovators and other industry publications. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and is currently pursuing a master’s in Emerging Media Design and Development.