Washington Lofts

The Project:

1000 West Washington Lofts, a set of two buildings dating back to the 1800s, was converted into a 180 unit condominium complex in the late 1990s. Located in the West Loop district, a former industrial zone of Chicago, the Washington Lofts are ideally situated in a very dynamic neighborhood, as evidenced by the new McDonald’s headquarters located just one block west.

The association wanted to update the look of the building with a fresh color change, in addition to maintaining the exterior facades of the building. All exterior components of the building, including 711 windows, 53 balconies, and all doors and lintels were to be updated to a chic black, rather than the outdated green color. To ensure the association and CertaPro Painters of the North Shore’s paint system was correct, the team at CertaPro Painters worked closely with their Benjamin Moore and Rustoleum paint reps to find a paint system to fit the building with the perfect paint system.

Once decided, CertaPro Painters of the North Shore began this nearly year-long job by hand cleaning, fully priming, and then adding two topcoats to all exterior components of the building. By utilizing two crews, one working each building, boom lifts, scaffolding, and swing stage, CertaPro Painters was able to propel the Washington Lofts from the ’90s to the present times. The project required special permits for street access for the boom lifts, and lost parking revenue reimbursement for metered parking. Not only that, but it also required critical coordination with the city of Chicago to lower electric power lines for the boom lifts and with building management and engineer to access unit doors for painting.

Below are some before, during, and after photos showcasing Chicago’s Washington Lofts.