Buildings Magazine has published an article on art for better buildings, authored by Art + Artisans CEO Jennifer Brener Seay.
The data is undeniable: strategic art installations deliver measurable returns for commercial properties. But as hybrid work reshapes tenant expectations, the conversation around art in real estate is evolving beyond simple aesthetics.
New research from the University of Cincinnati shows a 30% increase in weekend foot traffic in neighborhoods featuring murals, while Miami’s Design District experienced a 47% surge in visitors after introducing public art installations. Perhaps most compelling, Cincinnati neighborhoods saw violent crime rates drop 28% following mural installations—demonstrating art’s power to transform not just spaces, but entire communities.
“With 60% of vacant office space now requiring radical overhauls to remain competitive, employers need to create experiences that people cannot get at home,” writes Art + Artisans founder Jennifer Seay in her latest analysis of art’s role in commercial real estate.
”With 60% of vacant office space now requiring radical overhauls to remain competitive, employers need to create experiences that people cannot get at home
Jennifer Seay, Art + Artisans Founder and CEO
The article examines how properties like TIAA’s Frisco campus—featuring over 160 curated artworks—are using art to drive tenant satisfaction and earn recognition as award-winning workplaces. University of Exeter research supports this approach, finding that workplaces with art installations record 32% higher productivity levels and enhanced employee morale.
Read the full article to discover why property owners are making art a budget priority and how creative placemaking is becoming essential for long-term success in today’s challenging market.
