A parking garage in Reston got a facelift after artist Kelsey Montague completed a mural at the request of American Real Estate Partners in late July.
Montague was commissioned to create a mural on the garage at Reston International Center (11800 Sunrise Valley Drive). The artwork features her signature #WhatLiftsYou wings design, which the company says celebrates “COVID-19 frontline heroes, wellness and visionary developer, Robert E. Simon’s founding principles for Reston.”
AREP hopes the artwork will “activate” the outdoor space and make the area more welcoming for tenants. The 25-by-25-foot-mural features two sets of wings and includes five stars that represent Reston’s five village centers. The number seven is included to recognize Reston’s seven founding principles.
“Reston Wings reflects our dedication to the community and fulfills our promise to create dynamic places that inspire and elevate experiences not just for our customers but also for neighboring residents,” said Paul Schulman, Principal and Chief Operating Officer of AREP. “We’re excited to challenge the preconceptions of large-format community art as an urban phenomenon and introduce this suburban opportunity for people to become a part of the canvas and be more fully engaged with their community.”
Montague is an international street artist who has street murals around the world, including in Istanbul, New York City, Cape Town and Buenos Aires.
Photo via AREP
American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is bringing in muralist Kelsey Montague to paint the face of the Reston International Center parking garage.Â
The painting of the mural will take place over three days, and will be commemorated on July 17 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m, according to a statement released by AREP.Â
Visuals in the mural will include two colorful wings to celebrate the people of Reston. However, that’s not the only symbol in the painting. The mural will also include elements honoring the COVID-19 frontline, recognition of the community’s dedication to wellness, inclusion and racial equality, according to the statement.Â
The project was created in an effort to provide joy and hope to future community members, visitors and tenants of Reston.Â
Montague is a world-renowned muralist, and has over 270 large-scale murals across the world, according to the statement. Her signature “What Lifts You” wing mural was used in the launch of Taylor Swift’s “ME!” in Nashville. Montague was also the only female artist selected by the NFL to create art for Superbowl LIV.
Photo via American Real Estate Partners
The 15-story Reston International Center, one of Reston’s first high-rise office buildings, has been sold in a joint venture for $35 million.
American Real Estate Partners and Square Mile Capital Management LLC announced on Monday they have acquired the property from JBG Companies.
The property is a 179,000 square foot office building located at 11800 Sunrise Valley Dr. In recent years, mixed-use development has taken place around the office tower, including JBG’s Reston Heights.
Reston Heights includes The Mercer Condos, The Westin Reston Heights Hotel and office space. It is also about to undergo an expansion that will add about 400 more residential units and 95,000 square feet of retail to the development.
The International Center and Reston Heights is located within walking distance of the new Wiehle-Reston East Metro station as well as the future Reston Town Center Metro station.
“Reston International Center presents American Real Estate Partners with a remarkable opportunity to renovate and reposition an iconic asset at the epicenter of one of the most vital mixed-use communities being developed along the Toll Road,” American Real Estate Partners President Brian Katz said in a statement.
“Reston, fueled by the coming completion of the Silver Line stations through Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, will continue to be a magnet for growing companies that value access to highly educated employees, exceptional transportation options and all of the amenities and infrastructure of Reston Heights and nearby Reston Town Center.”
The partners said it will embark on a $10 million renovation of Reston International Center, including the addition of a 3 1/2-story parking deck, as well as interior renovations.
Photo: Reston International Center/Credit: American Real Estate Partners