Sonny Sundancer for Modera Coral Springs

Mill Creek Residential engaged WXLLSPACE to activate a 7,105 SQFT Paseo at Modera Coral Springs, a multifamily residential development in Coral Springs, Florida. The Paseo connects a parking garage and a residential apartment complex, with adjacent retail spaces on either side. Rather than leaving the corridor blank, the development team committed to a large-scale public art installation to transform the space into an immersive community destination.

WXLLSPACE sourced artist Sonny Sundancer, whose wildlife portrait work the architect had observed through previous WXLLSPACE projects. The resulting installation features five roseate spoonbill portraits set against a layered abstract background along the main Paseo walls, two facing panther portraits on the parking garage walls, and a ceiling treatment designed to evoke the experience of looking up through water. The project ran from December 4, 2025 to February 20, 2026, spanning approximately 11 weeks of active production.

The Paseo at Modera Coral Springs presented a clear opportunity and a real risk. Left blank, the corridor would function as utilitarian infrastructure. The development team, supported by the architect's vision, recognized the space as a chance to build community identity and create a destination residents and visitors would seek out.

Key challenges the project needed to address:

• Activating a transitional space between a parking garage and residential tower that could easily be overlooked or feel disconnected from the property experience.
• Sourcing an artist whose large-scale wildlife portrait work could hold visual authority across a multi-wall, multi-surface Paseo environment.
• Securing multi-party approvals from neighboring retail tenants whose walls were incorporated into the installation scope.
• Managing a scope that expanded mid-project, requiring a full redesign after production had begun.

The benchmark for success was a walkway where residents and visitors could sit and engage with the artwork from multiple vantage points, including a ceiling installation that creates the effect of looking upward through water. The goal was transformation, not decoration.

Several site-specific and administrative constraints shaped the production approach:

SITE CONDITIONS

• The Paseo acts as a wind tunnel, creating persistent airflow that made clean spray application difficult and required the crew to adapt application techniques throughout the project.
• Fixed planters with pre-installed irrigation were bolted to the floor and could not be moved, limiting crew positioning and scaffold staging.
• Bench seating for the planters was installed mid-project and required removal before work could resume in those areas.
• Facade cracking occurred as the building settled, requiring repair work that intersected with the mural production schedule.

SCOPE CHANGES

• The original scope covered the right-side Paseo wall and the ceiling. A third wall was added, then one wall was removed from scope during production. The removed wall's square footage was redistributed to the remaining scope, resulting in a complete redesign mid-install.

APPROVALS

• Each neighboring retail tenant whose wall surface was included in the design required individual approval before WXLLSPACE and the artist could begin work on those surfaces.

CAPITAL APPROVALS

• The selected proposal came in above the initial budget target. Mill Creek Residential sought and received approval from capital partners before proceeding.

SCHEDULE

• Weather delays and the artist's illness during production required WXLLSPACE to extend lift equipment rental twice to maintain timeline integrity without compromising output quality.

SCOPE INTAKE AND SITE REVIEW

WXLLSPACE conducted a site review and developed the initial scope over approximately one week. The original scope included the right-side Paseo wall and the ceiling. Following the site review, WXLLSPACE identified the left-side wall as an opportunity to complete the visual environment and recommended adding it to the scope. The development team initially declined due to budget constraints, and the project proceeded on the original footprint.

ARTIST SOURCING

The project was posted on the WXLLSPACE marketplace platform. Over 18 proposals were submitted. The architect had previously observed Sonny Sundancer's work through other WXLLSPACE-commissioned projects and identified him as the preferred artist. His proposal, while above the initial budget, was selected after Mill Creek Residential secured capital partner approval.

CONCEPT AND REVISION

The initial concept design was completed within approximately one week of engagement. When the scope changed mid-production (one wall removed, a third wall added in its place), a full redesign was required. WXLLSPACE coordinated the revision with the artist and communicated updates to the development team. The final design treats the space as a single cohesive installation: spoonbill portraits and layered abstract backgrounds along the main Paseo walls, paired panther portraits on the garage walls, and an immersive ceiling treatment.

COMPLIANCE AND PERMITTING

WXLLSPACE prepared the compliance packet including certificate of insurance, W9, and project safety plan. Multi-party wall approvals from adjacent retail tenants were coordinated prior to work beginning on those surfaces.

PRODUCTION AND SCHEDULE CONTROL

The installation ran from December 4, 2025 to February 20, 2026. The crew operated on an 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily window. Weather delays and artist illness extended the timeline, requiring two lift equipment rental extensions. WXLLSPACE managed both extensions to maintain uninterrupted access to the site.

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION

Mill Creek Residential's development manager, John Grimaldi, lived on site throughout the project and conducted weekly walkthroughs with the artist to review progress and provide feedback in real time. This cadence kept approvals current and reduced revision cycles.

SCALE

7,105 SQFT across multiple stucco wall surfaces within a Paseo corridor, including two parking garage walls and the ceiling.

CREW

The installation was completed by the lead artist and one assistant during the first half of the project.

ACCESS

A 14-foot electric scissor lift provided primary access throughout the installation. Wind conditions in the Paseo required adjusted positioning and technique during spray application sessions.

MATERIALS

Bucket paint applied with an aerosol spray gun provided the primary coverage for background layers. Portrait work on the spoonbills and panthers was completed using brushes with bucket paint. An airbrush system was used for fine detail and blending.

DURATION

Approximately 11 weeks of active production, with two lift equipment extensions to accommodate weather delays and the artist's illness.

WORKING HOURS

8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

ENVIRONMENT

The Paseo's tunnel geometry created persistent wind that affected spray application. The crew adapted technique and sequencing to manage overspray and maintain clean edges across all surfaces.

Several site-specific and administrative constraints shaped the production approach:

SITE CONDITIONS

• The Paseo acts as a wind tunnel, creating persistent airflow that made clean spray application difficult and required the crew to adapt application techniques throughout the project.
• Fixed planters with pre-installed irrigation were bolted to the floor and could not be moved, limiting crew positioning and scaffold staging.
• Bench seating for the planters was installed mid-project and required removal before work could resume in those areas.
• Facade cracking occurred as the building settled, requiring repair work that intersected with the mural production schedule.

SCOPE CHANGES

• The original scope covered the right-side Paseo wall and the ceiling. A third wall was added, then one wall was removed from scope during production. The removed wall's square footage was redistributed to the remaining scope, resulting in a complete redesign mid-install.

APPROVALS

• Each neighboring retail tenant whose wall surface was included in the design required individual approval before WXLLSPACE and the artist could begin work on those surfaces.

CAPITAL APPROVALS

• The selected proposal came in above the initial budget target. Mill Creek Residential sought and received approval from capital partners before proceeding.

SCHEDULE

• Weather delays and the artist's illness during production required WXLLSPACE to extend lift equipment rental twice to maintain timeline integrity without compromising output quality.