Office Conversion Painting Project at the Watergate Complex

a Project by CertaPro Painters® of Springfield, VA

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Commercial Renovations in a Historic DC Office Building

In October 2025, CertaPro Painters® of Springfield, VA completed a two-week interior renovation project on the 9th floor of the Watergate Office Building in Washington, DC.

The project encompassed more than 16,000 square feet of office space and was part of a larger conversion transforming the floor from a single-tenant layout into a flexible, multi-purpose office environment. Given the prestige of the building, the work required a high level of craftsmanship, coordination, and attention to detail.

Historical Significance

The Watergate Office Building is a nationally recognized landmark and the site of the June 17, 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, an event that ultimately led to the 1974 resignation of Richard M. Nixon. Completing work in such a historically significant setting underscored the importance of precision, professionalism, and respect for the building’s legacy.

About the Project:

INITIAL CONDITION & PROJECT SCOPE:

At the start of the project, the space required a complete interior repaint and significant reconfiguration. Existing baseboards were removed to accommodate new flooring, while corkboards, whiteboards, and whiteboard-painted wall surfaces needed to be carefully removed. In several areas, the removal of corkboard installations required full drywall sheet replacement, along with additional drywall repairs throughout the floor.

The scope of work included priming and painting all walls, doors, door frames, and built-in heating and cooling units. New drywall sheets were installed where necessary, and holes and surface imperfections were repaired to create smooth, uniform finishes. All work was completed while carefully working around existing furniture, which was being retained and repurposed for the new office layout.

Challenges & Solutions:

One of the primary challenges involved removing walls coated with whiteboard paint, which required specialized preparation to ensure proper adhesion of new coatings. In areas where corkboards had been installed, full drywall replacement was necessary to restore clean wall surfaces suitable for a professional office environment. Coordinating these repairs while maintaining efficiency and quality was critical to keeping the project on schedule.

The team also worked within a first-class office building where precision, cleanliness, and professionalism were essential. Detailed planning and sequencing allowed the crew to complete demolition, repairs, and painting in a logical progression without disrupting adjacent tenants or compromising the building’s standards.

Project Duration: Two weeks

Before Photos

Below are photos of the office space before our work got started. Click on any image to open the photo album.

Hallways & Common Areas

Hallways & Common Areas

Hallways & Common Areas

Hallways & Common Areas

Hallways & Common Areas

Hallways & Common Areas

Office Interiors

Office Interiors

Office Interiors

Office Interiors

Office Interiors

Office Interiors

The Final Results

The completed project delivered a clean, modern, and highly adaptable office environment ready for multi-tenant use. Smooth wall finishes, consistent color application, and refreshed architectural elements elevated the overall appearance of the space while supporting its new functional layout. The result is a polished interior that meets the expectations of a premier commercial property and reflects the historical importance of its location.

After Photos

Click on any image to open photo Album

Updated Reception Areas

Updated Reception Areas

Updated Reception Areas

Updated Reception Areas

Refreshed Hallway Spaces

Refreshed Hallway Spaces

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Baseboard Removal & Repaint

Restored Finishes

Restored Finishes

Restored Finishes

Restored Finishes

Our Commercial Services

Check out our Drywall Repair

Drywall Repair

Drywall panels can be repaired or replaced, eliminating signs of wear and tear.

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Check out our Exterior Painting

Exterior Painting

Our team of dependable exterior painting contractors will tackle your list of projects. Our team has years of experiencing painting a variety of materials and surfaces, including vinyl or aluminum siding, stucco, wood, brick, cedar shingles, and garage doors.

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Check out our High-Durability Coatings

High-Durability Coatings

Our team is skilled in applying high-durability coatings for floors, walls, and high-wear areas requiring long-term painting solutions.

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Check out our Interior Painting

Interior Painting

The interior of your home warrants professional results. And our Springfield painters are just the team to deliver. We offer seamless, efficient, and meticulous interior services and strive to ensure you are absolutely satisfied.

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Check out our Light Carpentry and Repairs

Light Carpentry and Repairs

Repairing and replacing siding, including wood, metalwork, stucco, and EIFS – as well as interior drywall, plaster and woodwork – making sure surfaces are in good condition and ready to accept paint.

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Check out our Off-hours and Weekend Production

Off-hours and Weekend Production

If a project has specific timing requirements, we’re more than happy to accommodate them.

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Check out our Power Washing

Power Washing

A clean surface is required for excellent paint adherence. When appropriate for the material, we offer power washing services before painting begins.

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Check out our Tilt-up Repairs and Painting

Tilt-up Repairs and Painting

We can patch and caulk any cracked areas for protection from water intrusion and to provide a smooth surface for paint application. We’re prepared to handle every aspect of difficult-access projects.

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