One of the most overlooked elements of commercial real estate is the idea that the built environment can add to our daily lives. While this is true in a number of areas, it is perhaps most obvious when public art is included in a project. Increasingly, developers and property managers are utilizing public art to build brand, differentiate, and ultimately help their property stand out from others in the market.  Examples in our local market include the large-scale mural on the exterior of The Sinclair apartments building or the brightly colored mural on the exterior of the 201 Ellicott residential project. These two examples are among many in the city that have proven public art strengthens the community inside and outside the building, and engages passersby.
 Why Public Art?
Among commercial developers, public art is quickly becoming a mainstay of a successful project. Prospective tenants and the community are not only attracted to buildings that perform well, they’re looking for buildings that differentiate themselves and reveal a focus on the environment they are creating. Public art is stepping up the real estate game, and could be considered an amenity that speaks more to personal style, building community, and urban identity.Â
Buyers Want the Whole Package
Many tenants are looking for a more complete experience when searching for their next office or in the case of residential, their next home. This includes a place that will foster their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and this lifestyle package is pillared by art. A sterile environment is quickly transformed with public art in a visual sense, but the whole package includes a connection to the community and the building occupants. Art provides an opportunity to interact with the built environment on a different level. The Brisbane Building in Downtown Buffalo is another excellent example of a commercial building looking to create these types of connections. Gallery space was incorporated on the first floor of the building and is easily accessible and can even be enjoyed by passersby through the street level windows into the space.
Building Buzz and CommunityÂ
Public art can also provide an opportunity to create buzz and build community. While we typically focus on the finished art, the process that leads to that final reveal can be just as valuable. Inviting artist submissions for work, detailing the process of installation or creation, and ultimately showcasing the finished piece are all excellent moments and provide significant opportunity. Large scale murals are regularly documented by local news outlets and across social media as they take shape in spaces open to the public. You can’t put a price tag on this type of exposure.
Public Art is a ToolÂ
While your address will always be how people find your building, public art gives them something to remember. Adding a focal point that has community connections and creates buzz can be a very useful tool.  Instead of referencing an address, building occupants will easily share the characteristics of the building and reference elements that make it stand out among the others. Why not provide the focal point and unique characteristics through public art? A great example is the Main Street windows of the Lafayette Court Building on main Street in the City of Buffalo. Many people will stop to check out art they find interesting or appealing whenever and wherever.  Artist renderings displayed on vinyl window clings grab attention and help place this already iconic building in a bust Main Street setting. Featuring iconic Buffalo emblems such as Josh Allen, the sunset over Buffalo’s skyline, and chicken wings, the artwork charms people walking by, grabbing lunch, buying coffee, etc. The quick recognizability and enjoyment grabs passersby’s attention, and elicits them to admire, take pictures, and enjoy the moment.
The Attraction of Art
Public art delivers a great deal of value to a community. Engaging developers and building owners to provide a canvass and further the connection makes perfect sense. Promoting accessibility, creativity, and a sense of place is something we can all support.