From CA to FL: Murals Around Our Portfolio - A Fresh Look Story

Public art helps infuse our shoppping and lifestyle centers with a unique sense of place, while also creating a vibrant focal point for both shoppers and passersby.

Brooklyn Station on Riverside
The 49,766-square-foot The Fresh Market-anchored Brooklyn Station on Riverside touts three murals by two local artists.

Shaun Thurston Mural that features a purple alligator and a green sea turtle

Located near downtown Jacksonville, FL, Brooklyn Station on Riverside's largest mural occupies the north-facing wall of local 'Jax Mex' eatery, Burrito Gallery. Its colorful, abstract depiction of a larger-than-life crocodile-sque creature is paintedin bold purple, lime green, magenta and sky blue hues. Executed by recognized area muralist Shaun Thurston, his Instagram-worthy artwork is as diverse as Burrito Gallery's visitors. A lively rooftop bar is directly overhead so patrons are able to enjoy the art on their way up and down the adjacent stairwell.

Two commissioned black-and-white murals by area artist David Nackashi were added to the center in an effort to create public art that lays the foundation for developing a sense of place for the emerging Brooklyn neighborhood. This is achieved by celebrating Brooklyn's cultural and historical context.

One is on the side of First Watch Daytime Cafe and features an old railcar and its conductors, while the second is on a nearby wall. Black and white mural of two men standing next to an old Riverside trolley

Black and white mural of old cars driving in Riverside back in the day.  

Village at La Floresta
World-renowned muralist Kelsey Montague recently brought one of her signature "wings" murals to Brea, CA's Village at La Floresta, an 86,969 SF center anchored by Whole Foods Market. Center guests eagerly wait to snap a photo in front of the original, colorful 12' x 12' original piece. Popular Montague has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Forbes, and Entertainment Weekly, plus Mashable, MTV and in the LA Times, among others.

Kelsey Montague posing with her two children in front of a mural.

In Montague's words, the murals specifically "invite people into a piece, and then invite people to share their experience online." She is a firm believer that art should not be separated from the human experience. After taking photos in front of her murals, fans across the continent can then easily share their shots by using the Instagram hashtag #whatliftsyou (and for the recent piece, #villageatlafloresta) — which currently has more than 93,000 collected Instagram posts:

Collage of various murals created by Montague.

At a center event in October, Montague led a group of childhood cancer survivors in creating their own masterpieces at the site of her first Orange County mural — The Village at La Floresta. She helped the group of two dozen kids in creating their own individual, positive pieces on canvas and also graciously posed with them in front of her recent 'wings' work.

The Hub at Hillcrest Market
In 2014, sunny San Diego's urban The Hub at Hillcrest Market received several murals during its eight-month development process. Local artist Skye Walker created the first in the new mural series — a 35-foot x 15-foot mural on California Coast Credit Union's façade. It colorfully captures the essence of the California coastline with waves, environmental elements and female faces who represent mother nature overseeing it all.

Murual on front of California Coast Credit Union Close-up of bank mural, with ocean waves making a woman's hair.

Photo courtesy of artist Skye Walker

Along the western entrance to Ralph's Market's underground parking garage are two parallel walls with bright, rectangular mural by Isaias Crow. Entitled 'Loving Myself,' the abstract, sprawling designs were entirely Crow's concept. According to the artist's website, he writes, "Loving Myself. That’s what I wrote and that’s what I painted on those two walls. I created a mirror that reflects love to those who enter or exit the parking structure. It is a hub within a hub to reenergize your entire being with self-love." He thanks Regency Centers and The Hub's team for trusting, supporting and inviting him to participate in what he calls an "awesome" project.

Loving Myself murals
There's also a rectangular piece of three bearded men above the parking garage entrance by San Diego-based artist Mike Maxwell. Self-taught, Maxwell's artwork is focused on themes including humanity, conceptuality, genetics, and consciousness. His work has been featured in publications including Juxtapoz, Color and the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Mural of three bearded men

A mandala-like image of colorful geometric shapes by street artist Exist1981 drapes the corner of University Avenue and 10th Avenue on the side of The Unoptical eyewear and sunglass shop. Exist1981 is known for his mural work in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

Mural on street corner

A large abstract piece by Bradford Lynn, a freelance artist, colors a portion of the Hub's parking deck. Lynn graduated from nearby Art Center College of Design.

Mural of two hands an eye behind organic colored shapesSelf-taught San Diego based Chris Konecki created a 'take off // landing' mural on the side of the garage entrance. His work explores social consciousness and elements of nature often collide with harsh urban landscapes and elements of street art and graffiti, which according to his biography, symbolize "the ongoing struggle between the harmonious coexistence of these two monumental forces." He also is credited with San Diego's largest mural — a 9,500 SF piece on a 7-story parking structure.

Mural in parking lot

The Field at Commonwealth

The Field at Commonwealth is slated for a June mural installation. The Wegmans-anchored shopping center in Chantilly, VA is currently under development but Regency has approved the mural, and Mellow Mushroom pizzeria will install the art as part of its buildout. Artist MadSteez will create a mural on the northwest corner of Mellow Mushroom. From a mural at Pandora's headquarters to a colorful rendition of Michael Jordan at The Bleacher Report, MadSteez is known for his large, vibrant, multi-layered paintings where strange and familiar figures are integrated into abstract landscapes. Based in Weensville, CA, he grew up less than an hour from Chantilly in Washington, D.C.

Rendering of mural

 

 

Related Stories
Sep 21 New Staircase Mural in Full Bloom at Regency’s Grand Ridge Plaza Jul 18 Regency's Dunwoody Village Transforms Into a Vibrant Outdoor Hub Jun 15 Corbin's Corner Shopping Center Transforms with Modern Upgrades Jul 18 Regency's Dunwoody Village Transforms Into a Vibrant Outdoor Hub Jun 15 Corbin's Corner Shopping Center Transforms with Modern Upgrades Jun 08 Regency’s Latest Placemaking Efforts Enhance Shopping Centers Nationwide Nov 22 Local Influencer Opens 'Dandy' Pop-Up Boutique at Regency's Brooklyn Station Jun 24 Regency's Jacksonville Team Delivers 108 Meals to Families in Need May 29 Local Love: Connecting at Brooklyn Station on Riverside Apr 25 REI Co-Op Hosts Grand Opening at Regency’s Walker Center in Beaverton, OR Apr 18 Regency’s Baybrook East Wins 2024 Houston Business Journal Landmark Award in Retail Apr 16 Get To Know Mandarin Landing in Jacksonville, FL Dec 24 Learn How Regency Shopping Centers are Celebrating from Coast-to-Coast Dec 23 Heather Brooker and Village at La Floresta Host Virtual Holiday Party Oct 28 Regency's Ultimate Tailgate Takeout ft. @jetplanemommy Sep 01 Pueblos Tex Mex Grill Opens at The Field at Commonwealth Feb 26 Regency Portfolio Gaining a Third Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar Location Oct 30 Lake Mary Centre & The Field at Commonwealth host 'Petal It Forward' Initiative Oct 17 New Merchants at San Diego Shopping Centers Offer Good Eats and Pet Treats Sep 25 Brightside Barber Brings Cutting Edge to The Hub at Hillcrest Market Sep 21 New Staircase Mural in Full Bloom at Regency’s Grand Ridge Plaza Mar 18 Regency's Powers Ferry Square Unveils Vibrant New Mural in Atlanta, GA Oct 24 Houston Astros & The Market at Springwoods Village Partner on Mural