New art experience in Seattle’s U District is designed to inspire innovation and attract talent
Seattle, WA (August 1st, 2023) – Seattle-based commercial real estate firm Touchstone and national developer Portman, along with joint-venture partner Lionstone Investments, today announce a new art experience at The Chapter Buildings, a mixed-use office, life science and retail development. Located in Seattle’s University District, the collection intends to further connect the site to the surrounding university, community and city.
NINE dot Arts is curating the collection, which is composed of a dynamic mix of hand-painted exterior and interior murals, as well as a series of 2-D works with a focus on local talent. The pieces welcome guests and employees into the buildings and guide them through the Brooklyn Cut – a privately-developed, publicly accessible neighborhood space that includes a mid-block connection between 12th Ave and Brooklyn Ave NE, fronted by the building’s lobby and retail.
Local artists include Overall Creative, whose designs for the project are meant to propel people through the space, while encouraging exploration; Shogo Ota, who is painting a peacock mural; Will Schlough, who is creating a “breakthrough” design for a mural and 2-D creation with brightly colored, geometric blocks to symbolize the connection between the individuals in a community or office coming together; and Jen Ament, in partnership with Urban ArtWorks, whose work encourages exploration of the light and the dark.
“With innovative features and strategic placement, the artwork at The Chapter Buildings connects artists, employees, guests, and the community at large,” said NINE dot ARTS Chief Curator and Co-founder Molly Casey. “Each piece tells a unique story, pushes the boundaries of what you might expect to find in a private development, and distinguishes the property as a welcoming, must-visit destination for Seattle’s top talent.”
Chapter Building I is 12 stories and features 240,000 square feet of office space with ground-floor retail and an expansive 8th floor deck featuring a pickleball court. Chapter Building II is 10 stories and features 150,000 square feet of life science space with ground-floor retail, a rooftop deck, and amenity space.
“We have the best location for office space in the area – we are blocks from top talent at the University of Washington,” said Rachel Woods, Senior Creative Director for Portman. “A crucial component of bringing our vision for this project to life is establishing a link to the community that really makes these buildings a place where people want to come. The art experience is creating that connection, and we know it will inspire and uplift our tenants who come to work here each day.”
Just one block off the U District’s Ave, The Chapter Buildings are a short walk to restaurants, shopping, hotels and other experiences, such as the Henry Art Gallery and Neptune Theater. Once complete in Spring 2024, the Chapter Buildings will play an important role in seamlessly connecting the growing neighborhood to the district’s vibrant culture of academia, amenities and art.
“We’re proud to be collaborating with a diverse group of local artists to create an enriching experience at The Chapter Buildings,” said Pat Callahan, CEO for Urban Renaissance Group. “Art is a powerful catalyst for fostering creativity, inspiring innovation, and building a strong sense of community. We believe this dynamic collection will contribute to a thriving and welcoming environment for our tenants and the entire Seattle community.”
Office and Life Science leasing is managed by Laura Ford, David Abbott and Greg Inglin with CBRE. Retail leasing is handled by Tracey Cornell, Laura Miller and Brett Frank-Looney with Gibraltar.
About Portman:
Founded by famed architect John Portman in the 1950s, Portman is a privately owned national real estate investment, development and management firm focused on delivering premier quality office, hospitality, residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects prioritizing occupant experience through first class execution. The diversified, full-service company has developed over 72 million square feet of landmark real estate assets and currently has over 27 projects in development throughout eleven markets across the country employing an unequaled pedigree of experience, industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence. Portman has established a successful global network and has a proven track record with the world’s top financial institutions. Teams in the company’s national offices seamlessly connect to develop, finance, and manage a diverse portfolio in the key strategic and emerging markets throughout the US. Portman Holdings continues to achieve success through investor, partner and client relationships that deliver exceptional real estate assets and innovative, experiential places.
About Touchstone:
Touchstone is a subsidiary of Urban Renaissance Group LLC, a Seattle-based full-service commercial real estate company, engaged in acquisitions, development, asset management, leasing, property management and ownership in Seattle, Bellevue, Denver and Portland. Urban Renaissance Group’s (URG) mission is to create places that inspire and connect. With a dedication to placemaking and fostering community, URG helps spark change in transforming neighborhoods by reinventing land and buildings to better serve people and the community at large. Learn more at www.urbanrengroup.com and www.touchstonenw.com.
