A large scale remodel and expansion to Redmond Center, which is owned by Redmond-based Nelson Legacy Group, was recently completed. The project involved demolition of three buildings and expansion of the shopping center. On the north, Trader Joe’s and approximately 15,000 square feet of tenant space were added. On the south half of the property, tenants were relocated and the building demolished to make space for a new 13,325 SF commercial building. New tenants, including Trader Joe’s, HSBC Bank, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Brugge Chocolates, Pet Pros, and Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, join existing tenants such as QFC, Vitamin Life, Niko’s Teriyaki, RadioShack, Starbucks, Ben Franklin Crafts and Canyons Restaurant. Additional tenants continue to be added.
As the project neared completion, a nationwide request for proposals to provide art for the center was undertaken. Seattle based Koryn Rolstad Studios was commissioned to create art for the exterior. The artwork consists of 24 (12 per wall) clear lexan panels with translucent graphics directly printed on the panels. One wall of the graphics is of abstract bicycle images. The other wall has nature elements such as waterfalls, streams, marshes, etc. The graphics are sensitive to a change in temperature or brightness which will cause the art to change as the temperature or brightness changes. The panels are backlit by LED lights that also help create the illusion that the artwork is moving and changing. Light sandblasting in the sidewalk below each art piece reflects the imagery on the panels. This helps create the feeling of being “in” the art.
Tom Markl, CEO of the Nelson Legacy Group, stated that the new artwork “is different than anything in Redmond or the Eastside and is a great asset to the City of Redmond’s public art collectionÓ. The Redmond Arts Commission has included the piece in the City’s Art Walk.