Located in the heart of southeast Portland’s historic Brooklyn neighborhood, The Frankie is a five-story, 120-unit residential development that reimagines the connection between community, place, and creative expression. Developed by High Street Residential, the residential subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company, in partnership with Geolo Capital, The Frankie offers a mix of affordable and market-rate housing infused with elevated amenities and thoughtfully curated artwork by artists with disabilities from ArtLifting’s national network.

This collaboration reflects Trammell Crow Company’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the built environment. At The Frankie, art is not merely decoration — art is a vehicle for storytelling that celebrates resilience, belonging, and hope.

“We aim to create spaces that authentically reflect cultural richness and also inspire community engagement.”

- Damin Tarlow, Principal, High Street Residential, Trammell Crow Company

Three prints by Denali Brooke hang above a dark brown counter in the living room of a show unit. The artwork’s blue, orange, and pink tones echo the accents on the nearby decorative objects and the pillows on the gray couch, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

The Frankie combines elevated design with a sense of place by offering modern interiors, thoughtful amenities, and a standout integration of artwork by ArtLifting artists that deepens its connection to the community.

ArtLifting worked closely with the development team and Think Joule, a Portland-based WBE certified creative agency trusted with the strategic marketing, art selection and brand development for The Frankie, to identify and commission artworks that amplify underrepresented voices and enhance the resident experience. This included large-scale reproductions of original pieces, including a prominent feature of Leave the Lights On, Communities Will Recover by U.S. veteran and artist Yvette. The artwork, rich in color and metaphor, anchors the property’s brand identity, extending beyond the walls and into the heart of the community. 

Other featured artists include Portland locals Lindsey Holcomb and Denali Brooke, Boston-based Lisa Murphy, and Rochester-based Laural Hartman. Their work appears in shared spaces and throughout the building, creating an atmosphere that is welcoming, inclusive, and rooted in authentic artistic expression.

“By keeping the lights on, you all are metaphorically encouraging people to stay connected, to provide assistance, and to offer a guiding light in the face of adversity — even in the darkest times. And the sheer beauty of the colors in the painting invokes the strength of our community to recover and be steadfast.”

- Yvette, ArtLifting Artist

For High Street Residential and Trammell Crow Company, the collaboration with ArtLifting reflects a dual commitment: to placemaking that enriches the resident experience and to creating meaningful opportunities for artists historically excluded from traditional art markets. Through this initiative, artists earned income and exposure, with many seeing their work represented at scale for the first time in a public-facing residential setting.

From the materials and floorplans to the art on the walls, The Frankie is an invitation to belong.

Media

• Trammell Crow Company | High Street Residential Announces Collaboration with ArtLifting at The Frankie in Portland, Oregon
• Think Joule | The Frankie, Putting the art in apartments
  

Images

1. Banner: A high-angle view of The Frankie’s mezzanine and coworking area showcases Yvette’s large-scale wallcovering, Leave the Lights On, Communities Will Recover. The vibrant piece anchors the space, making a bold visual and emotional statement. Photo courtesy of Think Joule. 

2. Five colorful prints by Lisa Murphy hang side by side in the coworking lounge. The vivid yellows, reds, and blues in the artwork complement the plush blue suede couch below and the multicolored ottomans on either side, creating a lively and dynamic setting. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

3. Yvette’s wallcovering, Leave the Lights On, Communities Will Recover, brings vivid color and powerful symbolism to the coworking space near the lobby. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

4. The mezzanine of the coworking space features built-in wooden seating with colorful cushions and a large gray sculpture resembling a rubber duck at its center. To the left, a wooden staircase leads to the lounge area where Lisa Murphy’s five prints are installed. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

5. Vinyl cutouts of Lindsey Holcomb’s artwork animate the walls of The Frankie’s fitness center. The silhouettes — depicting people in joyful, dynamic poses — appear to leap and dance in front of the cardio machines. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

6. Two prints by Laural Hartman hang above the bed in a show unit’s bedroom, adding a refined artistic touch to the softly styled sleeping space. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.

7. Four small-scale prints by Lindsey Holcomb are arranged on a gray wall between two bookshelves. The artwork adds bright pops of color and complements the eclectic mix of objects and books surrounding it. Photo courtesy of Think Joule.