Hines and ArtLifting Transform South Station Tower with Public Art
Developed by Hines, Boston’s new South Station Tower is the host of an extraordinary piece of temporary public art — a 6,500-square-foot reproduction of Emerald Tree by Allen Chamberland. This large-scale installation, which engages over 75,000 daily passersby, is part of a groundbreaking collaboration between global real estate firm Hines and ArtLifting.
The installation transforms a busy construction site into a vibrant art space, demonstrating how artwork can bring life to developing areas. By combining social value with aesthetic impact, the project exemplifies how art serves as a transformative force in cities and create lasting impacts. The original paperput artwork was also purchased by Hines and will be on display in the leasing office at South Station Tower.
“We wanted to bring quality art to this space and make it part of the city’s daily life. Our collaboration with ArtLifting brings a unique, larger-than-life mural to the building, providing beautiful public art for everyone to enjoy.”
- Sean Sacks, Senior Managing Director, Hines
"I am beyond excited to have my artwork, Emerald Tree, featured in such a prime location at the new South Station Tower! This piece is a reflection of the inspiration I draw from Boston, the city where I live and whose beauty constantly fuels my creativity.”
-Allen Chamberland, ArtLifting artist
Beautifying a Developing Urban Area with Artwork
Boston’s historic South Station transit center is a hub of activity, surrounded by commuters, tourists, and residents. While most construction sites are hidden behind plain barriers, Hines and ArtLifting saw an opportunity to enhance the space and build interest for the towering new development.
The innovative installation transforms a the temporary construction scrim into a canvas for public art. What would typically be a construction zone is a vibrant display that adds beauty and inspiration to the streetscape.
The installation is strategically placed along Atlantic Avenue, just steps from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, ensuring that it captures the attention of the thousands of people who pass by daily.
This thoughtful integration of artwork into a busy urban environment creates a sense of place, making South Station not just a transit hub, but a destination where people can pause to appreciate art in one of America’s most historic city.
By showcasing this local artwork on such a grand scale, the project not only beautifies the area but also introduces people to the work and story of local artist Allen Chamberland.
Empowering Local Artists and Making a Social Impact
At the heart of this collaboration is Allen Chamberland, a Boston-based artist who has overcome significant challenges. His journey from selling on the streets to having his work displayed on one of Boston’s largest public canvases is a powerful testament to the social impact of initiatives like this one.
Allen is one of the first ArtLifting artists, having joined the program in 2013. His work is proudly displayed on walls across the country. Allen has sold artwork to major companies like Bain Capital, Google, Moderna, State Street, and more.
His papercut artwork has been transformed into wallcoverings, murals, metal sculptures for Stoneleigh Properties, and custom curtains for Ipsen Pharmaceuticals. For Allen, this public project marks a significant milestone in his career as his largest reproduction to date.
As with every ArtLifting installation, Emerald Tree at South Station Tower is accompanied by Allen’s story. A co-branded banner installed on sidewalk-level construction fencing, introduces Allen to passersby, providing viewers a connection to the artist and the socially impactful partnership between Hines and ArtLifting.
“It's going to be amazing to see my artwork at a huge scale in a public space I frequent. It's an incredible honor to be selected for this project and I am thrilled to share my love for our city and its vibrant community through my art."
-Allen Chamberland, ArtLifting artist
The installation exemplifies how corporate public art partnerships can do more than beautify spaces — they can also serve as vehicles for social change. By elevating the work of local artists, particularly those with disabilities, the project creates economic opportunity and visibility for a local artist in a highly visible area.
The sale of his original artwork, coupled with the public display of his work on such a grand scale, created significant financial impacts for Allen. This collaboration doesn’t just showcase art; it actively helps to change lives, demonstrating the power of art for social change.
“Allen’s talent deserves to be celebrated in such a big way in his home city. Seeing Allen's art reach more people is a dream come true, and we are incredibly proud to partner with Hines and the City of Boston to create a meaningful visual and social impact at South Station Tower.”
- Liz Powers, CEO and co-founder, ArtLifting
Innovative Use of Construction Materials to Showcase Public Art
The use of construction scrim as a medium for artwork is a creative solution that showcases how transformative art can be integrated into urban development. Typically, scrim is used to obscure construction sites, but in this case, it becomes a backdrop for original artwork that tells a story. This project highlights the potential of public art to add visual interest to even the most functional, temporary structures, proving that quality artwork can transform any space.
The nearly 6,500-square-foot Emerald Tree scrim serves not only as a work of art but also as a dynamic piece of urban design inclusive of community interests. Its placement at South Station Tower turns an ordinary construction barrier into an extraordinary public gallery, offering an immersive experience for anyone who passes by. By choosing to feature a local artist’s work in such a prominent way, Hines and ArtLifting show how thoughtful design and corporate artwork partnerships can breathe new life into urban environments.
“This project shows how art can activate spaces even before a building is finished.”
-Liz Powers, CEO and co-founder, ArtLifting
This innovative use of construction materails also demonstrates the growing trend of integrating art into construction and development phases, a practice that not only generates excitement for the final build but also offers an ongoing cultural experience during the construction process.
Artwork tends to be treated as a design amenity, however, by incorporating artwork into every phase of development, Hines and ArtLifting are genearting social value at every stage of the project. Emerald Tree at South Station Tower adds a unique layer of public engagement to the construction of one of Boston’s future landmarks.