SELECTED WORK / EXPERIENTIAL RETAIL
Cordova Mall
Murals.
Simon Property Group · Pensacola, Florida
SITE-SPECIFIC DESIGN / 120-FOOT WALKWAY
A passage through Pensacola.
For Simon Property Group’s Cordova Mall, a 120-foot pedestrian walkway became an opportunity to connect an everyday retail passage with the character of Pensacola. Two complementary mural themes — the Gulf Coast’s underwater world and the city’s recognizable coastal and aviation identity — turn movement through the tunnel into a visual journey.
The imagery was chosen with the setting in mind. Oversized subjects, energetic color, and compositions that unfold along the corridor reward both a quick glance and a slower walk. Each wall contributes to a unified experience while maintaining its own identity.
01 / THE GULF COAST
Life beneath the surface.
The ocean-themed side celebrates the marine environment that defines life along the Gulf Coast. A sea turtle, tropical fish, and a monumental diver invite visitors into an underwater scene, using recognizable marine imagery to create a sense of discovery as they pass through the tunnel.
Large-scale figures help the imagery read from a distance; smaller surrounding details reveal themselves as visitors move closer.
02 / THE CITY ABOVE
Local landmarks, reimagined.
The second mural draws on the visual language of Pensacola: coastal palms, warm sunset colors, and references to the area’s aviation culture. Graphic shapes and playful figurative elements create a different rhythm from the underwater wall while maintaining a shared sense of place.
The larger-than-life sunglasses, with aircraft silhouettes reflected in their lenses, offer a natural photo moment. Together, the murals transform a functional walkway into an inviting, distinctly local experience.
THE APPROACH / RETAIL PLACEMAKING
Designed for the journey.
The length of the walkway shaped the design strategy. Rather than presenting a single static image, the installation introduces a sequence of visual moments: bold hero imagery to draw attention, local references that anchor the work in Pensacola, and interactive compositions that invite visitors to stop, look, and photograph.
The result is an architectural passage with a stronger identity — an example of how site-specific public art can support placemaking within a commercial property.
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