Celebrating Upland's Citrus Heritage
Commissioned by Buchanan Street Partners, a Newport Beach-based real estate investment and development firm with a long history of creating and enhancing commercial and residential properties throughout the western United States, the Upland Gold mural transforms a prominent residential development into a tribute to the city's rich agricultural heritage.
Created for a highly visible location along Foothill Boulevard across from Upland Memorial Park, the mural reimagines a historic orange packing house label that once represented one of the region's most recognizable citrus brands. By enlarging the original artwork to an architectural scale, the project connects contemporary residents with an important chapter of Upland's history while establishing a memorable visual identity for the property.
Project Snapshot
Client: Buchanan Street Partners
Location: Upland Self Storage, Upland, California
Completed: 2025 Size: Large-Scale Architectural Mural • Exterior Building Façade Surface: Exterior Faux Brick Architectural
Wall Services: Concept Development • Historical Artwork Recreation • Large-Scale Mural Design • Installation
Design Highlights
Rather than creating an entirely new composition, this project focused on faithfully recreating and elevating a piece of Upland's visual history. The original Upland Gold orange crate label was carefully studied and translated into a contemporary large-scale mural while preserving the character, craftsmanship, and spirit of the historic artwork. Positioned to be highly visible from Foothill Boulevard, the mural functions as both a landmark and a tribute to the citrus industry that helped shape the surrounding community. One of the gallery images compares the completed mural with the original vintage crate label, illustrating the attention given to preserving the authenticity of the historic design while adapting it to an architectural setting. The project demonstrates Mass Murals' ability to move beyond traditional public art into architectural graphics, heritage preservation, and placemaking. It reflects an understanding that art can strengthen the identity of a property while honoring the history of the communities in which it is built.
Community Impact
The Upland Gold mural serves as a permanent visual connection between the city's past and its future. Residents, visitors, and members of the community experience a familiar historic symbol presented at a scale that encourages appreciation of Upland's agricultural legacy. By transforming a historic commercial illustration into a contemporary architectural landmark, the project reinforces the identity of the development while celebrating the stories that continue to define the City of Upland.