As multifamily developers and owners look for ways to stand out in a competitive market, Cortland is turning to art to create a stronger sense of place. What began as individual property design choices has evolved into a portfoliowide philosophy, with commissioned murals and works from regional artists helping communities reflect the neighborhoods around.
“Every community should reflect the neighborhood it lives in, and local art is one of the most authentic ways to do that,” says Bill Davis, executive vice president of Cortland Design & Architecture.
According to Davis, Cortland’s positioning is “approachable premium”—elevated, design-forward communities that feel warm and welcoming rather than exclusive. Art becomes a natural extension of that, signaling intentionality and quality in an inviting manner.
“Art is how a community goes from well-designed to memorable. It creates a sense of place, signals the care we put into the resident experience, and differentiates a community in a way that’s authentic to its neighborhood rather than copy-paste,” he shares. “We invest in art because it makes our communities better places to live—and that’s the foundation everything else is built on.”
Cortland’s resident data also shows that design overall, including interiors, finishes, and the broader aesthetic, ranks among the most influential non-price factors in how renters evaluate a home. Davis says art is part of that larger design quality to strengthen the resident experience and show the care put into the communities.
The developer and owner has engaged local artists to paint murals at nine of its properties over the last few years. It recently commissioned local Atlanta artist Niki Zarrabi to do a mural at Cortland at Buckhead Village.
“We saw Niki’s work a few years ago in Buckhead, and we were immediately drawn to her style. When we started discussing a mural on the walls surrounding the pool, we knew she would be perfect for it,” says Davis. “Her scope then evolved, and she also painted a large, framed mural in the interior of the property in the same style.”
At another Atlanta property, Cortland Old 4th Ward, local artist Ash Hayner/Wolf Dog was engaged to do a large, exterior mural at the main corner entry to the property, reflecting the surrounding vibrant neighborhood. And at Cortland Midtown Miami, the team worked with artist Johnny Robles after seeing his work in South Beach. He created two murals—one behind the concierge desk and one by the pool—as well as custom-framed art for the amenity and penthouse-level elevator lobbies and a series of black-and-white photographs in the lobby to complement the mural.
Murals also have been added at Cortland on Inkwell in Houston; Cortland NODA and Cortland South End in Charlotte, North Carolina; Cortland Onion Creek in Austin, Texas; Cortland at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta; and Cortland West Village in Dallas. In addition to murals, framed art is a key element of the designs at all Cortland properties.
“We see art moving from decoration to identify,” notes Davis. “A few years ago, art in multifamily often meant generic framed prints. Increasingly, it means commissioned, site-specific work that could only exist at that property, in that neighborhood.”
Davis shares that the design team will walk around a neighborhood and city to find artwork and murals that resonate, keeping a mental rolodex for when the right opportunity may pop up.
“Art is one of the ways we find inspiration for our projects’ design. Sometimes we just stumble upon someone whose style feels in line with the aesthetic of a property we’re working on,” he says. “We love when that happens and we can engage them to do work for us.”
Cortland’s strategy continues to organically evolve.
It now features art in the corporate office, where a rotating gallery highlights the work of regional artists. All of the artwork is for sale, and Cortland hosts an opening with the artist to launch each exhibit.
Cortland also is exploring using underutilized retail space in its properties as artist residence space, opening to residents for a few hours on Friday afternoons.
“We expect deeper, ongoing relationships with artists—not just one-time installations—and more connection between art and resident life through programming and events,” notes Davis.
In addition to Cortland’s investment in art, it also is focused on elevating the full resident experience both in how its communities are designed and how they’re lived in daily. This includes prioritizing social, wellness, and flexible-use spaces; creating moments that connect residents and make the community feel active; and reflecting the neighborhood in other design decisions such as materials, layouts, and overall atmosphere.
“Art plays an important role, but it’s part of a broader strategy: creating communities that feel intentional, connected, and genuinely enjoyable to live in—not just well-designed on the surface,” adds Davis.