Come See the Welcome Tower near Pier 14 in San Francisco

In a previous blog post, I covered the history surrounding Coit Tower in San Francisco. Over by where I catch the ferry to Alameda (Pier 14) when I work in San Francisco, there's a new piece of art that is an homage to Coit Tower.

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Artists:

• Sean Orlando // more
• Tanya Seabock // more

3D Shadow Box Artists:

• Maurice Cavness // more
• Ake Grunditz // more
• Leslie Grunditz // more
• Ubin Li // more
• Olga Lopata // more
• Jody Medich // more
• Imogen Speer // more
• Tanya Seabock

Inspiration:

• Unison // more

IMAGINE The Welcome Tower is a reconceptualization of one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, Coit Tower — exploring the identity of San Francisco, where we have come from and where we are going by re-imagining this iconic landmark out of reclaimed solid wood front doors from residences throughout San Franciso's historic neighborhoods. For the better part of the last century, San Francisco has been a hub for culture, art, and freedom of expression, not just for our nation but the world; however, in the last several decades, skyrocketing property values have made living in San Francisco all but impossible for any people who shaped this city.* DESIGN The shape of the Welcome Tower is similar (similar as in similar triangles — same shape but not the same size) to that of Coit Tower. The doors have peepholes for viewing murals inside 3D shadow boxes on the insides of the doors. The murals within the interiors of the Tower pay tribute to how creativity, diversity, and innovation have shaped identity of the city we love.* MAKE The Welcome Tower is 30 feet tall. It consists of three stories of eight connected wooden doors with two stories of wooden arches at the top. Welcome Tower is a gift to San Francisco local business resident, Unison — a home co-investment company that is pioneering innovative models and revolutionizing pathways to homeownership in cities across the US.* Unison is a San Francisco-based company that is a team of financial and real estate professionals who are committed to helping homebuyers get the home they want without adding life-crushing debt. They believe in a world where buying and owning a home is not a zero-sum game.

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Art is alive in the lab.

^* Quotations are from the Welcome Tower's placard.