At Stockyards Cold, the company’s latest development at  3815 S. Ashland  Avenue, a 12-panel  mural series by internationally-acclaimed artist, David Banegas is transforming the façade of the nearly100,000-square-foot insulated warehouse. 

Developed by Karis  Cold and constructed by design-build  general  contractor DSI, the facility is the first modern cold storage project of its kind within Chicago’s city limits, strategically designed to meet the city’s  growing demand for urban cold chain infrastructure.

Located in the historic Central Manufacturing District, Stockyards Cold replaces the long-vacant Continental Can Company building with a next-generation logistics hub and a vibrant public art installation. Banegas’ murals celebrate the city’s identity, depicting iconic Chicago landmarks such as the Water Tower, the Art Institute, and the White Sox scoreboard. One mural pays homage to the past by reimagining the Continental Can tower, positioned where it once stood.

Born in Bolivia, artist David Banegas first came to the United States as a teenage exchange student.

“The first state I came to was Illinois. The first city I landed in was Chicago,” he said. “This project is close to me, and these murals represent a shared vision and my old  stomping grounds.”

The mural installation is the result of close coordination between Karis Cold, Banegas, and DSI. To make the artwork possible, DSI prepared the building’s specialized insulated cladding to accept exterior paint without compromising the structure’s thermal performance. 

“They spent a lot of money preparing the wall,” Banegas said. The mural series is expected to be completed in early July, just before Banegas returns to his Miami studio, where he continues his creative work alongside philanthropic efforts supporting women’s and children’s charities.

But behind the art is a facility engineered for scale, designed to meet the demands of high-volume cold storage and distribution.

“This facility is a leap forward, not just for cold storage in Chicago, but for how we approach integrating functionality and placemaking,” said Ken Verne, vice president of Assets at Karis Cold. “It’s like comparing a foam cooler from the '80s to a Yeti. And David’s work brings a layer of identity that’s rarely seen in industrial development.”

The building is on track for completion and turnover by mid-August. Stockyards Cold is currently co-listed by NAI Hiffman and Food Properties Group.