THE TANNERY

MILWAUKEE, WI

The Tannery
Milwaukee, WI

VAST delivered consulting, design, and full painting execution for a multi-facade mural program at The Tannery, a historic industrial campus in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point. Spanning the primary frontage, skybridge, and courtyard, the work ties together entries and pedestrian paths with a contemporary visual language—botanical forms and graphic ornament that nod to the site’s manufacturing legacy while creating a welcoming, photo-forward public realm.

Our scope included creative development, site walks and access planning, coatings/specs for Midwest freeze–thaw and UV exposure, safety and lift operations on an occupied site, and on-site execution to an accelerated schedule. The result is a cohesive placemaking layer that strengthens wayfinding, elevates curb appeal for leasing tours, and turns a once-underutilized corridor into a day-to-night campus amenity.

Aerial oblique of a six-story facade mural on a renovated warehouse, demonstrating campus-scale placemaking for a mixed-use property in Milwaukee.
Corner elevation with classical-figure mural and skybridge connection—branding the building edge while linking adjacent structures.
Courtyard amenity wall with floral/industrial mural and landscaped seating—tenant experience and photo-friendly activation.
Courtyard view showing large floral mural and a decorated skybridge that adds interest, wayfinding, and dwell time.
Vertical facade panel with a monumental classical figure integrated to window bays—proof of careful coordination with the architectural grid.
Close detail of mural threading around windows and piers—code-compliant access and durable coatings for long-term stewardship.
Central facade patterning above the entry canopy—pedestrian-scale branding that elevates curb appeal and leasing tours.
Drone overview of the property with full facade mural, parking field, and nearby river district—context for development scale and access.
Passageway to a landscaped courtyard featuring large murals and a skybridge artwork, enhancing pedestrian flow and placemaking.
Centered view of courtyard murals and skybridge in a tight urban infill, illustrating how art converts leftover space into an amenity.

SERVICES

Consultancy

  • Strategic public art consulting aligned with developer’s adaptive reuse vision

  • Cultural storytelling integrated into Milwaukee’s industrial heritage

  • Budgeting, coatings system specifications, and lift/access planning for large façades

  • Coordination with city stakeholders for approvals and façade integration

Design & Fabrication

  • Custom mural and façade design blending botanical, figurative, and ornamental motifs

  • Architectural adaptation across multiple building elevations and skybridge surfaces

  • Scaled renderings and mockups for developer approval and community review

  • Framework adaptable for future enhancements such as lighting or digital/AR integration

Project Management

  • On-site painting execution with scaffold and lift coordination

  • QA/QC oversight to ensure durability and safety compliance on large surfaces

  • Collaboration with developer, property managers, and contractors for seamless integration

  • On-time delivery aligned with renovation milestones and tenant activation