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Casa Arabella- 2021 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Winner
Learn more about 2021 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist, Casa Arabella (Oakland, CA).
Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Developers: The Deal Company; Western General; Lovett Commercial
Designers: Studio Red Architects; Asakura Robinson; StudioLFA; LH2 Architecture; Colby Design
Site Size: 75 Acres
Sawyer Yards is an arts destination of industrial warehouses transformed into built-for-purpose creative workspaces that are now home to one of the largest working artist communities in the country. This exceptional art community is complemented by creative businesses, public galleries, unique dining, and entertainment venues—all brought to life through an active schedule of special events.
Densely occupied by art studios, galleries, restaurants, unique fitness concepts, breweries, and a public art plaza, this area has become an important local art and entertainment destination. The campus is comprised of multiple industrial buildings repurposed as over 400 creative workspaces and galleries where a wide range of artists create and sell their work.
An outdoor plaza called Art Alley exhibiting 12 large-scale public murals acts as the backdrop for the heart of the campus. Several indoor galleries regularly host free art walks, exhibitions, and markets, offering the public unique access to a myriad of styles of fine art, fine craft, artisan jewelry, and handmade goods. The large-scale public events hosted in the Silver Street Studios event space also serves as a major weekend draw, attracting over 50,000 visitors annually.
The Sawyer Yards project is the culmination of a decade of organic and market-driven growth and is now managed through a partnership of three distinct development entities – The Deal Company, Western General, and Lovett Commercial. The project’s overall design and development continues in phases, tapping a range of architecture and design firms for innovative solutions to challenges.
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