Client: City of St. Louis Park, Duke Realty, Anderson Real Estate

Location: St. Louis Park, MN, United States

Completion date: 2009

Artwork budget: $130,000

Project Team

Artist

Foster Willey

Foster Willey Sculptor, LLC

Architect

Guy Willey

Guy Willey Design

Architect

Kevin Teppen, RSA, ASLA

MFRA, MACOMB FRANK ROOS ASSOCIATES, INC

Art Consultant

Micheal White, LC LEED AP

Shuller Shook Lighting Design

Overview

“The Bee Way” is a unique sculptural plaza and gathering space. It is set in the retail complex the “West End” and pays homage to the regional history of the City of St. Louis Park and the honeybee. Commissioned by City of St. Louis Park, Duke Realty, and Anderson Real Estate. Dimensions: 66’ L x 33’ W x 22’ H / Materials: Welded Aluminum, Steel, Terra Cotta, Cast Stone, and LED Lighting.

Goals

“The Beeway” is a part of the City of St. Louis Park’s commitment to integrating arts, culture and community aesthetics in all city initiatives. The project represents the public art component for the devlopement. Its prominent location within the retail complex provides a visual anchor and interactive plaza.

Process

“The Bee Way” consists of two cast stone columns, inset with a honeycomb relief pattern and terra cotta tile. At the top of the columns are kinetic “Swarm Sculptures”, fabricated aluminum elements that represent the whirling flight of bees. A bee wing bench compliments the two columns. Honeycomb paving runs through out the plaza and unifies the sculpted elements. The plaza is dramatically lit for night viewing by in-ground up lights and LED lights at the top of each column. Duke Reality and MFRA landscape architects facilitated the implementation of the plaza design. Other collaborators for the design phase included Mattson, Mcdonald Young Structural Engineers, Shuler Shook Lighting Design, and Guy Willey Design

Additional Information

The beehive barbecue (or fireplace) built in the late 30 “s by the WPA and the Minnesota Department of Highways inspired "The Bee Way". The beehive barbecues have become a St. Louis Park icon and were originally part of the roadside parks known as ‘Lilac Way’ along Highway 100.