Real Estate | Global Partnership
Bentall Green Oak Partnership
National Partnership
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Property Details: Partnered to bring art to multiple properties, including owned assets and corporate spaces, amounting to more than 800,000 sq. ft.
- Services Provided: Curation, coordination, and installation of fine art print reproductions in properties across the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Large-scale partnership demonstrates how socially impactful art can be deeply integrated into a comprehensive real estate strategy across a diverse corporate and commercial portfolio.
- Tailored curation for each location, from a Boston HQ rooted in resilience to California campuses designed to “bring the outside in,” amplifies artist voices while solving for distinct spatial, aesthetic, and tenant needs.
“In my journey as an artist, I’m thrilled to have my work reviewed and selected for display by one of the largest real estate investment firms in North America.
I can tell you that this investment impacts not just the livelihood of artists like me, but also creates unimagined opportunities, empowerment, and validation.”
- Cheryl Kinderknecht, ArtLifting artist
Aligned Art Solutions Across a National Portfolio
ArtLifting partnered with BentallGreenOak (BGO), a leading global real estate investment manager, to curate a collection of impactful artwork for their Boston office. Following positive feedback from teams and leaders, the partnership has grown into a national, multi-site partnership built on shared values.
Together, ArtLifting and BGO have collaborated on multiple projects ranging from corporate workplaces to owned assets, including multifamily properties. Together, these collaborations have impacted 17 artists across five properties in Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, including BGO’s own Boston office, generating income and increased visibility.
The partnership also reflects BGO’s real estate strategy to prioritize innovation, community, and social impact. Through custom-curated installations that align with each building’s purpose, tenant demographics, and local context, ArtLifting helps streamline BGO’s efforts to bring their value to life in their spaces and inspire connection and belonging for employees, tenants, and visitors.
“ArtLifting has been a strong partner in enhancing the the day-to-day experience within our buildings through art installations. The stunning artwork and inspiring artist stories create meaningful connections for BGO teams and tenants.”
- Rob Naso, Managing Partner and Head of U.S. Asset Management at BGO
A Fitness Corridor at 475 Sansome features a series of print reproductions by ArtLifting artist Peter Perrino, whose abstract, light-filled compositions use color and motion to create a dynamic sense of energy that enlivens the minimalist, industrial setting.
Operationalizing Social Impact and Human Connection in Real Estate
In BGO’s workplaces, ArtLifting’s artwork makes company values visible by transforming office lobbies and shared spaces into places that resonate with their employees and celebrate local connections.
At BGO’s corporate office in Boston, ArtLifting curated a collection that reflects both the firm’s social impact priorities and Boston’s iconic, urban setting. The artwork was strategically placed in high-traffic areas, showcasing themes of resilience. The installation also features local artists Allen Chamberland and Scott Benner, offering direct callouts to Boston’s urban landscape that ground the office in its surroundings.
That same commitment to meaningful curation is reflected at 313 Congress Street, another Boston property, where four prints by artist Billy Megargel are installed in the lobby. His vibrant, multilayered pieces offer a moment of pause for tenants and visitors alike. As his mother, Eve Megargel, shared, “Through his paintings, Billy’s voice is heard.”
For BGO owned assets, curatorial needs vary widely depending on tenant demographics, architectural style, and programmatic use of space. At Westlake Landmark, a pair of multi-tenant office buildings outside of Los Angeles, BGO aimed to “bring the outside in.” The lobbies and amenity spaces at Westlake Landmark were updated with natural finishes and biophilic textures; ArtLifting’s artwork strategy focused on amplifying this palette with pieces that featured organic movement, blues and greens, and strong ties to the California landscape. Works by artists Michael Van Huffel and Barbara Barnett were curated for their stylistic and aesthetic alignment with the region and design features.
“Investing in art is not only important to the artists, but I truly believe it makes an impact on the wellbeing of those who enjoy the art, and I’m grateful to BGO for letting me be a part of that impact.”
- Elizabeth Gauss, ArtLifting artist
Similarly, at 475 Sansome in San Francisco, a fitness center and amenity space required artwork that matched the energy of the setting. The final selections, which included vibrant works by artists Peter Perrino and Mia Brown, struck a balance between vibrancy and refinement, honoring BGO’s interest in texture, place, and story without overwhelming the space visually. Plaques detailing the artists’ stories accompany the artwork to engage tenants and deepen the sense of connection.
A Scalable Model for Human-Centered Real Estate
Across BGO’s portfolio, ArtLifting has scaled social impact and enhanced environments across BGO’s diverse portfolio. Through storytelling — via labels, artist spotlights, and storytelling content — each installation sparks dialogue and reflects shared values.
Beyond the visual and social impact, ArtLifting offers BGO consistent processes for outfitting their spaces with high-quality artwork paired with bespoke curatorial solutions. ArtLifting’s unique ability to blend scalability and custom curation offers BGO the best of both worlds, all with a meaningful impact on working artists with disabilities.
Media
- Citybiz | BGO and ArtLifting Partner Nationwide to Elevate Artists with Disabilities
Images
1. Banner: A bright, open corridor at Westlake Landmark features print reproductions of River Walk by Barbara Barnett on the left and Weather Conditions I–III by Cheryl Kinderknecht on the right. Together, the works balance tranquil greens and cool blues to echo the natural landscape and biophilic design elements throughout the building.
2. A modern lounge at 777 6th St. NW features print reproductions of Karade’s Sankofa I and Karade’s Sankofa II by ArtLifting artist Diyah Najah, whose vibrant works add warmth and depth to the room’s contemporary design of curved white countertops, sleek dark cabinetry, and a mauve-tiled backsplash.
3. A seating area at 777 6th St. NW. features two prints by ArtLifting artist Kari Souders and one by Diana de Avila, whose abstract compositions bring movement and depth to the modern setting, complementing the room’s natural wood flooring, green marble accents, and soft seating.
4. An airy lobby in Westlake Landmark features print reproductions of Depths Reflected and Trembling Waters by ArtLifting artist Elizabeth Shanahan, whose fluid, nature-inspired compositions in blues and greens echo the surrounding California landscape and bring a sense of calm movement to the space.
5. A bright, open corridor at Westlake Landmark features a print reproduction of Outcrop at Hidden Beach by ArtLifting artist Michael Van Huffel, whose layered composition and organic textures reflect the natural beauty of the California landscape and harmonize with the building’s clean, light-filled design.
5. A Fitness Corridor at 475 Sansome features a series of print reproductions by ArtLifting artist Peter Perrino, whose abstract, light-filled compositions use color and motion to create a dynamic sense of energy that enlivens the minimalist, industrial setting.
6. A Fitness Corridor at 475 Sansome features a vibrant print reproduction by ArtLifting artist Mia Brown, whose energetic brushstrokes and bold color palette bring movement and vitality to the corridor’s clean, industrial design.
7. At 313 Congress Street, this vibrant lobby installation features three print reproductions by ArtLifting artist Rick Ruark, whose bold geometric patterns and dynamic color combinations bring energy and dimension to the space, complementing the natural wood accents and architectural warmth of the lobby.
8. At 313 Congress Street, this inviting lobby area features four print reproductions by ArtLifting artist Billy Megargel, whose expressive, layered compositions in blues, whites, and neutrals convey a sense of movement and depth that complements the room’s natural textures and modern furnishings.
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