Ben Davis spent years convincing government agencies to let an artist mount 25,000 LEDs on a state-owned bridge. Jean-Pierre Conte provided the money to make it happen. Together, they launched The Bay Lights in 2013 (sfweekly.com/marketplace/…).
When salt, wind, and vibration destroyed the system and the bridge went dark in 2023, both came back. The $11 million rebuild went live on March 20, 2026, with 48,000 custom-engineered LEDs spanning 1.8 miles.
What Was Ben Davis’s Vision?
Davis founded Illuminate, the San Francisco nonprofit that manages The Bay Lights. He described the rebuild as giving the bridge “a more durable gown, a real place in the castle,” in an interview captured by ABC7.
His organization managed fundraising, permitting, and engineering coordination. The new system was designed by Iowa-based Musco Lighting with a 10-year warranty.
What Was Jean-Pierre Conte’s Role?
Jean-Pierre Conte is managing partner of Lupine Crest Capital, a family office. He funded the 2013 installation and returned for the 2026 rebuild.
“Supporting The Bay Lights has always been about investing in the soul of San Francisco,” Jean-Pierre Conte told FAD Magazine.
More than 1,300 private donors contributed to the $11 million project with no government funding involved. The effort was led by the nonprofit Illuminate and its leadership team. Jean-Pierre Conte’s sustained presence across both installations made him one of the project’s longest-tenured supporters, backed by the resources of his family office.
What Did They Build the Second Time?
Musco Lighting’s 48,000 custom LEDs carry a 10-year warranty rated for the bridge’s marine environment. Leo Villareal’s algorithm-driven programming creates sequences that never repeat.
Mayor Daniel Lurie praised the result: “The Bay Lights are an iconic symbol of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area”. Jean-Pierre Conte’s $5 million endowment for brain research at UCSF reflects the same philosophy: a gift to the San Francisco public, funded entirely by private commitment.
