Muralist Julien Colombier Integrates Themes of Climate Resiliency and Ecological Preservation into his United States Debut at Suffolk Downs
Today, The HYM Investment Group (HYM) and National Real Estate Advisors, LLC, unveiled an 2,700 square foot mural by internationally acclaimed French artist Julien Colombier at Amaya, the first residential building to deliver at Suffolk Downs. The piece was commissioned in partnership with JUSTKIDS, an award-winning art consulting firm who specializes in propelling place-making and public art. Colombier drew inspiration for the mural from the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the Suffolk Downs neighborhood, including Belle Isle Marsh and Revere Beach. The mural, Colombier’s first in the United States, integrates themes of climate resiliency and ecological preservation, aligning with HYM’s commitment to prioritizing sustainable design at Suffolk Downs. Colombier’s mural will enhance the vibrant and enriching living experience enjoyed by residents of Amaya and serve as an extension of nearby arts and cultural spaces, including The Stage at Suffolk Downs.
Colombier’s mural at Amaya is located on the ground floor facade of the building, lining the new Beachmont Plaza and turning the corner onto a brand new Salt Street, well-positioned to welcome visitors to Beachmont Square and residents to their new home at Amaya. The artwork prominently features bright colors and local florals such as Cardinal Flowers, Bird’s Foot, Coral Honeysuckle, Great Blue Lobelia and Wild Indigo, that are native to Massachusetts. The mural’s blue background was inspired by the many water sources located near the Suffolk Downs site as well as the creative measures that HYM has implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. In planning the Suffolk Downs development, HYM commissioned a highly advanced hydraulic model, which informed the inclusion of the site’s floodable parks and purposeful infrastructure, designed to embrace many inevitable impacts of climate change.
“The addition of Julien Colombier’s mural at Amaya further solidifies Suffolk Downs as an accessible, sustainable, and dynamic neighborhood that prioritizes art and creativity,” said Thomas N. O’Brien, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of HYM. “We are honored that Julien chose to make his United States debut with us in Revere, and we look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy Julien’s mural for years to come.”
“We are proud to see our vision come to life at the Amaya project, enhancing the Suffolk Downs community with this expansive public art installation,” said Jeffrey Kanne, President and CEO of National Real Estate Advisors, LLC. “We look forward to the positive impact this mural will have on visitors and residents of Amaya.”
“The inspiration for this work was the rich variety of local flowers and how to express them artistically, while harmoniously adapting to the architecture as the canvas for this giant painting. For this project I wanted to consider viewers from various distances, and finding the right scale was essential to create something vibrant and groovy, yet still poetic.” said artist Julien Colombier.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with HYM, a visionary team that truly understands the profound value of art and culture in creating memorable spaces,” said Charlotte Duoit, Founder and Director of JUSTKIDS. “Julien’s design perfectly captures the essence of the surrounding area, infusing it with a local flair that invites people to connect, experience and come back!”
First move-ins at Amaya, which was developed in partnership by National and HYM, began in June, with leasing for the property managed by Bozzuto. Amaya features over 34,000 square feet of state-of-the art amenities and 24,000 square feet of dynamic ground-level retail offerings, putting residents in close proximity to a diverse array of shopping, food and beverage options. Situated in Beachmont Square, residents will be connected to a lively community hub of neighborhood retail, open space and civic spaces within the 1.7M square feet, vibrant mixed-use neighborhood serving as a gateway to all of Suffolk Downs. Residents can also enjoy the nearby access to The Track at Suffolk Downs, including The Dog Park, community events, and concerts hosted at The Stage at Suffolk Downs.
Amaya also offers quick, easy connections to Downtown Boston and major transit hubs, and is located approximately 200 feet from the Beachmont Square Blue Line MBTA station, five minutes from Logan Airport, and 10 minutes from Downtown Boston.
“We’re thrilled to have Julien Colombier’s new mural adding more color and excitement at Amaya,” said General Manager at Amaya, Jennifer Soto. “The artwork further enhances our community of creativity and connection. It is a welcome addition to the property and serves as a great representation of all that Amaya has to offer.”
Suffolk Downs
In 2017, Suffolk Downs, located in both East Boston and Revere along two MBTA Blue Line Stops, was purchased by HYM and its investors with a vision to create a welcoming neighborhood designed around new ways of living and working. Today, the 161-acre site at Suffolk Downs is being reborn as a new urban district with a dynamic mix of uses and offerings connected and supported by public open space, neighborhood retail, and civic spaces. Suffolk Downs will deliver 5.2M SF of life science and office space, 10.15 M SF of residential space, 450K SF of retail space, 400k SF of hotel space and over 40 acres of open space. Phase 1 of the redevelopment broke ground in May 2022 on the Revere side of the site. The first residential building, Amaya, officially opened in June 2024. In total, the building will deliver 475-units of housing to Suffolk Downs’ Beachmont Square Neighborhood.
The HYM Investment Group, LLC
The HYM Investment Group is a premier development company that is leading the development of more than 20 million square feet of real estate throughout Greater Boston. The company creates mixed-use communities that strive to push the needle on sustainability, creativity, and technology for a more productive and resilient future. The team has an unparalleled knowledge of the development process that allows the company to bring complex projects to market through community input and support. Through experience, relationship building, and transparency with all stakeholders, HYM is able to deliver projects on-time and on budget in order to bring a material return for its investors.
With a team made up of 60% women and people of color, HYM is committed to building projects that prioritize inclusion and embrace Greater Boston’s rich diversity. From projects like Suffolk Downs to Bulfinch Crossing, the team is leading the industry on creating some of the most thriving neighborhoods in the region. www.hyminvestments.com.
National Real Estate Advisors, LLC
National Real Estate Advisors, LLC is an investment manager developing, operating, and managing commercial real estate projects across the United States.
National’s mission is to create lasting value through projects that produce solid, long-term returns for our clients while improving the communities in which we invest and develop.
Since 2000, National’s investment team has been constructing investment portfolios of diverse property assets — primarily multifamily, data centers, office, healthcare, and medical buildings. National manages separate accounts and multiple commingled investment vehicles, including a data center fund. National seeks to create value for investors by adhering to a rigorous investment process and development principles guided by profits, integrity, community, and collaboration.
National is an independently operated subsidiary of the National Electrical Benefit Fund, a pension trust with assets that are managed by National on a discretionary basis. For more information, please visit www.natadvisors.com.
