Celebrated Mockingbird Lane Murals Brought Back to Dallas Residents
Celebrated Mockingbird Lane Murals Brought Back to Dallas Residents
PRESS RELEASE | Jan 21, 2022
SPI Advisory, LLC
Dallas-based private equity firm, SPI Advisory, LLC, commissioned original muralists, Chris Arnold and Jeff Garrison, to restore the glory to the historic 5 Mockingbird Apartments with new murals after the last ones were painted over by the previous owner.
Timelapse of SPI Advisory’s Restoration of the 5 Mockingbird apartment murals.
In December 2020, the Dallas-based multifamily private equity firm, SPI Advisory, LLC (or “SPI”) acquired 5 Mockingbird Apartments, the well-known apartment complex situated in the heart of Dallas at the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Lower Greenville.
Until its demolition in 1997, the old Dr. Pepper Factory plant stood in the apartment complex’s place for over 50 years at 5555 E Mockingbird Ln. Later that year, when 5 Mockingbird Apartments was originally constructed, known then as “The Phoenix Midtown,” it was strategically embellished with references to the art deco influences of the original building and its Dallas residents.
In 2006, Dallas muralists Chris Arnold, Jeff Garrison, and their Oak-Cliff-based company, Eyecon Studios, were commissioned to adorn the art deco apartment complex with seven thirty-five feet tall art-deco style murals of city life that would pay homage to the rich history of the site and reflect the vibrance of the surrounding community.
Once finished, these murals, which onlooked one of the most-trafficked streets in the city, became integrated into every Dallas locals’ life; Arnold’s murals brought the Dallas community together. Some Dallas residents argue 5 Mockingbird Apartments to be one of the most culturally important landmarks in Dallas.
Principal and Co-founder of SPI Advisory and Dallas native, Michael Becker, recounts his sentiments regarding the old murals, “5 Mockingbird is one of the most recognizable apartment complexes in all of Dallas," Becker said. “Longtime Dallas residents knew it as the building on Mockingbird with the striking murals.”
“5 Mockingbird is one of the most recognizable apartment complexes in all of Dallas," Becker said. “Longtime Dallas residents knew it as the building on Mockingbird with the striking murals.”
But, to the dismay of many longtime Dallas residents, in 2017, the previous owner, decided the eclectic murals no longer supported the “identity and aesthetic” of the community. During their “rebrand” of the community, they painted over the murals.
“I grew up in the Dallas area, and I admired the old murals every time I drove by the property. I was very sad to see them go,” said Michael Becker. “We thought this was a great opportunity to bring back a modern take on the old murals.”
As soon as SPI acquired the complex in late 2020, they were eager to begin planning the restoration of the iconic murals. SPI put out an open call to all Dallas artists to compete for their designs to be chosen for the new murals. The painters of the original murals, Chris Arnolds and Jeff Garrison of Eyecon Studios, entered the competition and won.
“We wanted to make it Dallas-centric so people who live here can get inspired,” Becker continued. “A little piece of Dallas history of whatever we put up there was the goal. We entrusted Chris and his team at Eyecon to make a new landmark for the residents of East Dallas and they exceeded our expectations”
Beginning early in the summer of 2021, the mural restoration project finally came to a close in November. Today, the two 35-feet tall murals adorning the northern exterior of the complex reminisce the art-deco nostalgia and essence of the old murals with an added touch of contemporary flair, once again inviting Dallas residents to experience and rejoice in their own history and culture.
“SPI gave Dallas residents back a gift that is priceless,” remarked Arnolds, “they gave Dallas back a landmark loved by so many, and I’m happy to have been given the opportunity to work on this building once again.”