WHAT IT TAKES TO REPAINT A MIDRISE LIKE 899 NORTHGATE
A Midrise Repaint Is More Than Just Ladders and Brushes
The 899 Northgate project in San Rafael might seem straightforward at first glance—a clean exterior refresh paired with interior painting for a tenant improvement. But for a midrise office building with tight access, active tenants, and a fast-paced schedule, even basic scopes get complex fast.
Canterbury Contractors was brought in to repaint the entire exterior façade while simultaneously completing interior repaint work as part of a renovation. Our job: finish both scopes without disrupting tenants, falling behind schedule, or compromising quality.
Access is Everything on a Midrise Job
Repainting a building like 899 Northgate isn’t possible without planning for vertical access. Ladders and lifts won’t cut it when you’re working five stories up with windows, walkways, and landscaping to protect. That’s why our team used a full scaffold system, carefully staged to allow safe movement and consistent access around the entire building.
Scaffolding also let us control our pace—staying productive without rushing or redoing work due to poor setup. It allowed our crews to coat surfaces efficiently, keep material handling safe, and avoid unnecessary site congestion.
All while maintaining a clean, unobtrusive footprint in a high-visibility business area.
Exterior Paint Systems That Work for Multi-Story Buildings
The 899 Northgate building needed a durable finish that could handle exposure, sunlight, and daily wear without constant touch-ups. We selected a commercial-grade coating system designed for UV resistance and long-term adhesion—key factors for building owners looking to minimize maintenance cycles.
Prep was just as important. Our team handled surface cleaning, caulking, minor repairs, and priming before any topcoats went on. With midrise exteriors, missed prep details can lead to expensive callbacks. We built quality into every layer.
Each elevation had its own quirks—sun exposure on one side, tree coverage on another. Our crews sequenced the work to match the building’s conditions and finished coatings one section at a time for even coverage and a professional finish.
PROJECT INFO:
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
WEST BROADWAY
CITY: SAN RAFAEL
COMPLETION YEAR: 2023
Coordinating with Tenants and GC’s in Real Time
While scaffold wrapped the outside, the inside was active too. Canterbury crews were also completing interior TI painting as part of the building’s upgrades. We had to coordinate daily with the GC and other trades to avoid bottlenecks—especially in areas where interior and exterior access overlapped.
Noise, paint fumes, and shared access points were managed through clear scheduling and daily site communication. Tenants remained active in parts of the building, so discretion, cleanliness, and tight planning were essential.
SCAFFOLD STRATEGIES FOR SMOOTH MIDRISE PROJECTS
Use full perimeter scaffold when multiple elevations need access at once
Install protection measures for landscaping, walkways, and tenant entry points
Stagger trades on scaffold decks to prevent workflow slowdowns
Communicate scaffold movement plans clearly to all subcontractors
How We Stayed on Schedule Without Cutting Corners
The 899 Northgate project had a tight timeline—but nothing could be rushed. We broke the job into strategic phases for both the exterior and interior scopes, allowing our team to apply coatings in the best possible conditions and avoid overlap with other trades.
A key factor in our success: starting exterior spraying early in the morning. Mid-day winds posed a serious risk—especially with adjacent streets and parking lots full of parked vehicles just feet away. Overspray from midrise elevations can easily float beyond the jobsite, and we weren’t taking any chances.
By scheduling coating work in the early hours, before the wind picked up and while fewer cars were on-site, we reduced risk and kept the site clean and safe.
Crews rotated between elevations and interior zones, adjusting in real time based on site access, weather, and the pace of other trades. Our leads worked closely with the GC to keep every phase aligned and avoid delays.
The result: a sharp, even finish across the exterior, refreshed interiors, and a flawless safety and cleanliness record.
What Makes Midrise Repaints Work
Scaffold gives full access and safety for consistent multi-story coverage
Staggered sequencing keeps both exterior and interior scopes on track
Targeting low-wind times of day to reduce overspray risk to nearby streets and cars
Surface prep is non-negotiable—repairs, priming, and caulking are essential
Daily GC communication ensures coordination across trades and building zones
Final Thoughts
The 899 Northgate repaint was more than just a coat of paint. It was a carefully managed, dual-scope job that required precision, flexibility, and experience working on complex buildings.
For full-building repaints done right the first time, count on Canterbury to get it handled.
Key Takeaways
Canterbury completed both exterior repainting and interior painting at 899 Northgate, a midrise office in San Rafael.
Scaffold access was used to safely and efficiently reach all exterior elevations.
The team applied a UV-resistant commercial coating system designed for long-term performance.
Morning spray schedules were essential to avoid overspray risks to adjacent parking lots and busy streets.
Interior scopes were performed in parallel, requiring tight coordination with other trades.
Daily communication with the GC helped Canterbury adjust quickly to schedule changes and access needs.
Prep work—including repairs, priming, and caulking—ensured long-lasting finish quality.
The project was completed on time with zero disruption to occupied areas.
The exterior finish was consistent across varying site conditions and elevations.
Canterbury’s flexible team structure allowed simultaneous execution of two scopes without delays.