Construction of 'Robot brothel' in Houston must clear city hurdle

Doll from Real Love Sex Dolls, one of the largest sellers of ultra-realistic dolls in the U.S. located in Austin, Texas. Doll from Real Love Sex Dolls, one of the largest sellers of ultra-realistic dolls in the U.S. located in Austin, Texas. Photo: Courtesy Of RLSD LP. / Courtesy Of RLSD LP. Photo: Courtesy Of RLSD LP. / Courtesy Of RLSD LP. Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Construction of 'Robot brothel' in Houston must clear city hurdle 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

The City of Houston ordered a Canadian company called KinkySDollS to stop the construction of a so-called robot brothel for not having the appropriate permit.

The city, which told the Chronicle this week that they are reviewing ordinances to restrict this kind of enterprise, sent building inspectors to issue a "red tag" to stop work after they noticed they didn't have the required permits.

To continue construction, the KinkySDollS company will have to first "apply for a demolition permit and submit plans," said a spokesperson from the mayor's office.

TOMLINSON: Robot brothel opponents should focus attention on humans

KinkySDollS is a firm from Toronto that opened the first robot brothel in North America in an industrial area in the North York neighborhood.

They recently announced on Facebook and their website that they would be opening soon in Houston, in what would be the first business of its kind in the United States. The time frame for the opening was supposed to be between the end of September and beginning of October.

However, with the City of Houston in direct opposition, it's unclear if the Canadian company will succeed in opening their enterprise, at least in the time frame they expected.

They began to build the business in what was previously a hair salon on Richmond, close to Chimney Rock in the Galleria area. Space is located on the second floor of a building and has around 2,500 square feet, according to the salon owner who used to rent that spot.

The concept of the KinkySDollS adult business is similar to a showroom where human-like dolls are erotically displayed and can be rented to be used in private rooms at the location by the hour or half hour. The dolls are made of synthetic skin materials with highly articulated skeletons.

Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Chronicle this week that they are reviewing existing ordinances and would consider drafting new ones to restrict or regulate this kind of business.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter: @oliviaptallet