Crescent Real Estate Debuts Massive Mural Delivering Universal Message Of Love Painted Upon The Wall Of The Luminary Office Building In Dallas’ West End

Fusing vibrant typography inspired by Mexica Talavera tiles and exquisitely painted flora, the mural’s message of optimism and goodwill toward humanity is designed to lift the spirits of the 400,000-plus drivers and pedestrians who pass by every day

Crescent Real Estate and Long Wharf Capital LLC today unveiled a gloriously colorful mural that celebrates one of the world’s most universal and cherished themes – LOVE – a premise found in every culture; entrenched in music, literature, and movies; and spread everywhere from dinner tables to pulpits and classrooms.

Located at the forefront of the West End’s Innovation District, the mural is painted upon the north-facing wall of The Luminary office tower and will be experienced by approximately 400,000 drivers and pedestrians every day.

Created by nationally renowned Texas artists Bradford “Bradlio” Maxfield and Christin “Saekart” Atkinson, The Luminary’s mural, named THE POWER OF LOVE, fuses vibrant typography inspired by Mexica Talavera tiles along with exquisitely painted native Texas and flora from other regions. The word LOVE – outlined in copper metallic paint that glimmers when light shines upon it – delivers a healing message as America and the world face one of its most turbulent times.  Also, LED lights, perched atop the mural, extend the ray of light beaming from the center of the lotus flower within the letter O.

“The artistry and the powerful message of the mural seemed a perfect fit for The Luminary, one of the most forward-thinking office buildings in Texas,” said John Zogg, managing director of Crescent Real Estate. “The Luminary is a space designed to attract creative, fresh-thinking talent who are looking for a vibrant, collaborative workspace. What better way to welcome people to Dallas than with this larger-than-life message on your front door?”

The artists, who spent approximately four months designing and hand-painting the image that spans 160 feet wide and 50 feet high, are a celebrated Austin-based duo – and this is the first time their work has appeared in North Texas.

“Christin and I hope to help create a movement through our local communities in which we help spread the joy of color and brightness in our sometimes dark and dismal world,” said Maxfield. “Now more than ever, art has the ability to light the fire in our hearts, and we hope to be there to help do that for as many people as we can.”

Described as a “multi-dimensional street artist”  known for his masterpieces that pay homage to his beloved Austin and other Texas cities, Bradford “Bradlio” Maxfield describes himself as a visual problem solver. He is best known for his high-level conceptual design, custom lettering, and unique illustration, and his upbringing in El Paso has had a definitive role in his creative style. The bright colors and ornate sensibilities indicative of Mexican culture are often found in his art. Bradfield uses his keen eye for shapes and colors to create visually appealing works of art – he considers himself a visual arts ninja!

Among his many accomplishments, Facebook recruited him to be part of its Artist in Residence Program and created a design for the state-of-the-art LoneStar Café. He was also tapped as one of seven nationally featured artists to devise one-of-a-kind city-inspired murals for New Amsterdam Spirits and chosen to create the whimsical entrance mural for Providence Children’s Hospital in El Paso.  

While typography is Bradlio’s specialty, those beautiful florals emerging from the mural came to life thanks to his artistic partner, Christin “Saekart” Atkinson. Her first love has always been art and design, but her early fascination with the natural world led her into biology and geography, where she spent the better part of a decade mapping native ecosystems and endangered species habitats. When she circled back and ventured out as a freelance artist, she incorporated her love and knowledge of native flora and fauna into her art and creative work.  @bradlio and @saekart collaborate on projects often and have created many incredible pieces together.

Zogg says The Luminary’s journey began when Crescent, in partnership with Long Wharf Capital LLC, purchased the existing headquarters of Dallas-based architectural firm Corgan in 2017 and announced plans for an innovative expansion.

Designed by Corgan, the expansion of more than 100,000 square feet includes a creative lobby lounge, an industrial-chic rooftop terrace boasting panoramic views, and three floors of office space encompassing a total of 81,711 square feet. Each floor has 27,237 square feet. The garage, which provides much-needed parking space to accommodate workers and visitors who come to the West End and south Victory, offers a generous 3.0/1,000 parking ratio. Corgan leased back the existing 57,731-square-foot, three-story building at 401 North Houston St. and leased an additional 23,268 square feet of the new office building adjacent to Corgan’s office.

Corgan employees have enjoyed the process and fully embraced the mural.

“I’ve enjoyed watching the vision take shape on my way to the office each day,” says Lindsay Wilson, president and interiors sector leader at Corgan. “For a designer tasked with creating spaces that influence how we feel, behave and connect with each other, art has a powerful placemaking ability. This scene brings to life the re-emerging vibrancy of the West End and adds an iconic, memorable, and sharable moment for The Luminary.”

In addition to the two full-floors available for lease on the 6th and 7th floor, The Luminary also includes two built-out, ready-to-move-in suites and two whitebox spaces on the 5th floor. The finished-out suites have individual offices, open-concept areas, conference rooms, huddle spaces, and lounges. Among the many high-end features are luxury carpets and concrete floors, quartz countertops and geometric backsplashes in the breakout rooms, and reception walls made of brick veneer or wooden slats. Sleek pendant lighting and contemporary furnishings complete the look.

Just blocks away from The Luminary is Victory Park; the American Airlines Center; several museums, including the Holocaust Museum and Human Rights Center; Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas World Aquarium, and the Dallas Museum of Illusions; Klyde Warren Park; Dallas Entrepreneur Center; and popular hotspots such as the House of Blues.

In addition, a nearly one-acre park called West End Square is set to open later this month and will include an outdoor workroom, prairie gardens, porch swings, game tables, and a water feature. The design is anchored by a steel trellis that provides shade and acts as an armature for the Square’s technologies that operate the park.a

The Luminary is located at 409 N. Houston St. in Dallas. For more information, go to theluminarydallas.com or call 214-979-5652.