January 2026 Project of the Month: Lowlander Brewing
Buzz has been building around famed Seattle Chef Renee Erickson’s latest evolution of her Sea Creatures restaurant group. In partnership with RailSpur, Erickson has reimagined a historic micro-district in Pioneer Square with a trio of distinct yet complementary concepts: Lowlander Brewery, Un Po Tipsy Pizzeria (by the slice), and Mio Oh Mio.
Located at the corner of King Street and Occidental Avenue, the project occupies the former home of FX McRory’s, one of North America’s first sports bars. When it opened in 1977, FX McRory’s earned its title through sheer scale, its proximity to Seattle’s stadiums, and being one of the first technologically modern bars to broadcast live out-of-market sports.
Renee Erickson is carrying that legacy forward by creating one of the first tank bars in the nation. While pioneering in Pioneer Square, she is no stranger in delivering thoughtful and immersive dining experiences. Lowlander Brewery seats 100 guests indoors and out, dispensing beer directly and sustainably from the tanks, and pairing it with classic pub snacks and sausages.
For this project, Dovetail Construction brought us on to create a custom illumination feature for Lowlander’s tank bar. Known for their large scale structural, architectural, and carpentry work, Dovetail needed a lighting element that could meet the scale and presence of the space.
The centerpiece is a 24’x 3.5’ custom curved, conical, horseshoe-shaped body, hand-fabricated to wrap around the existing soffit build. This highly customized sign is internally illuminated by 3000K warm white LEDs, with a face made from clear polycarbonate and digitally printed translucent cream vinyl.
One of our favorite details about this custom piece is the hand-painted script, color-matched in blue and outlined in silver leaf. A flex additive was added to the paint to allow for the curved face to flex during installation without cracking.
RailSpur and Erickson’s trio brings a mix of vibrant additions to the much-beloved historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, perfect for bites and pints before or after a stadium event or art walk.
Western Neon creates custom signage, interiors, and public art. With 40 years of experience, we make your vision a success from the first idea to the finishing touch. Start a project today!