Tori Shao’s Forested Mural at Northlake Commons in Seattle

Mural Announcement

Honoring the family’s 100-plus year commitment to the North Lake Union neighborhood, Dunn Lumber and its development partners have commissioned a large scale art project for Northlake Commons. This is a transformational, 200,000 square foot commercial project currently under construction. It sits across the street from the Dunn Lumber headquarters at Latona Avenue and Northlake Way.

A mural measuring approximately 70 feet wide by 12-14 feet high will link the project with the active Lake Union lakefront. It will reflect Northlake Commons’ and Dunn Lumber’s connection with the community. Moreover, the project will incorporate heavy timber both indoors and out. It will feature a welcoming opening onto the Burke-Gilman trail, with striking views of the water and beyond. Befitting the Dunn family, it will be the first large-scale mass timber commercial office building in Seattle.

Artist Tori Shao’s vibrant and imaginative submission was selected by the development team of the HessCallahanGrey Group and Spear Street Capital. The decision was made working in conjunction with the architecture firm Weber Thompson and the Dunn Family.

Seattle Art Source conducted a regional search and presented an array of mural options. Artist Shao won the final design with her evocative submission. In addition, the mural will offer an inviting journey into the artist’s representation of a forest community. This forest community is the source of the timber being used in this unique development.

Northlake Commons Mural Concept Statement

A plant community — an association of plants growing together — is an important component in understanding the ecological systems that occur in and around our region. The Northlake Commons mural composition places passing pedestrians in the understory of a forest. In this mural, trunks of red alder and western red cedar are splashed with filtered sunlight from the canopy above. Red alder and western red cedar can often be found growing together in our region. They are ambassadors of our connection to — and reliance on — our forests. These species are culturally significant to our region’s Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, they also play an important ecological role within our forests for plants and animals alike.

About Northlake Commons

Deeply rooted in the history of North Lake Union and the surrounding community, Dunn Lumber committed to maintaining these connections. It is transforming its lumber yard into a new, approximately 200,000 square foot mass timber commercial building. Northlake Commons will be a LEED Platinum project combining retail, office, lab, and warehouse spaces. The project is in partnership with the Dunn Lumber family, HessCallahanGrey Group, and Spear Street Capital. Key team members include: Weber Thompson, DCI Engineers, KPFF, and Swinerton Construction.

About the Artist: Tori Shao

Tori Shao is a Seattle-based illustrator, muralist, and practicing Landscape Architect. Her work is inspired by our cultural and ecological relationships to plants, objects, and one another.

About Dunn Lumber

Dunn Lumber is a family-owned retail building material business with 9 locations in the Greater Seattle Area. Founded in 1907, Dunn’s first retail storefront lumber yard was in an old barn near the location of the current University Village shopping center. Subsequently, in 1931, Dunn Lumber relocated to its current headquarters and retail store at the north end of Lake Union. For more information about Dunn Lumber and the family visit: The History of Dunn Lumber.

About Weber Thompson

Weber Thompson is a majority women-owned, full-service design firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. Based in Seattle, this award-winning company has a staff of 70 design and construction professionals. They’re housed in the celebrated Watershed, a Living Building Challenge Petal Certified office building in Fremont. Since 1988, Weber Thompson has developed diverse practices with projects that include high-rises and high-density urban infill. Their portfolio also spans residential, commercial office, hospitality, and affordable housing projects. Additionally, Weber Thompson seeks effective results through a thoughtful and collaborative design process. For more information, go to Weber Thompson or contact Weber Thompson at (206) 344-5700 or [email protected].

About the HessCallahanGrey Group

The HessCallahanGrey Group is a partnership between local developers Mike Hess, Mark Grey, and Joanna Callahan. With more than 65 years of experience in commercial development, the group has deep ties to the Pacific Northwest. The HCG Group has earned a reputation for delivering high quality, distinctive projects that prioritize sustainability. Innovation and one-of-a-kind design are also priorities, particularly in the North Lake Union and Fremont submarkets. Visit HCG at: The Hess Callahan Grey Group.

About Spear Street Capital

Spear Street Capital is an owner and operator of distinctive office properties located in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Based in San Francisco and New York, Spear Street focuses on assets and portfolios greater than $25 million in total value. The company targets well conceived and located properties that can succeed through creative leasing efforts. In addition, they focus on physical improvements, entitlement changes, or realization of adaptive re-use strategies. The company has an established track record as a dependable and resourceful buyer of complicated office assets. They have bought, sold, or developed in a broad array of markets through all real estate cycles.