Project Overview

An out-of-state general contractor engaged Alpine Painting to execute a large-scale interior renovation at Bridgewater Commons Mall. The project consisted of two fully coordinated scopes under a single Alpine team:

1. Interior painting of ceilings, structural steel, sheetrock, skylight areas, and architectural metal

2. Interior metal modification and fabrication to the mall’s extensive railing systems

The work was performed in an active, high-visibility retail environment with a strict operational constraint: all work had to be completed overnight, after the mall closed, and fully reset before reopening to the public each morning.

Project Execution

Night-Only Production Strategy

Interior painting operations began nightly after mall closure (approximately 9:00 PM). Each shift followed a tightly controlled sequence:

• Installation of extensive containment and masking to protect public areas from overspray

• Surface preparation, priming, and finish coating within the work zone

• Complete removal of containment and full cleaning every night so the mall reopened clean and safe

Because containment had to be installed and removed nightly, an estimated 40–50% of each shift was dedicated to mobilization and demobilization, significantly compressing production time and requiring exceptional planning and crew coordination.

Access and Elevation Challenges

A substantial portion of the work involved high and hard-to-reach overhead surfaces, including atrium ceilings and skylight structures. The second and third levels imposed strict floor load limitations, requiring Alpine to:

• Coordinate with multiple lift consultants

• Select atrium-style lifts with outriggers

• Engineer access routes and equipment placement to remain within allowable loading

This planning ensured safe access to elevated work while protecting the structure and maintaining uninterrupted mall operations.

Dual-Scope Advantage: Painting + Metal Fabrication

Approximately 15% of the project scope involved metal modification and fabrication to the mall’s railing systems on upper levels.

Railing Modifications Included:

Removal of decorative globes on newel posts

• Mechanically removed using band saws and cutting tools

• Holes and imperfections filled using automotive-grade filler

• Multiple filler applications with sanding between coats for seamless results

Removal of decorative tack-welded braces

• Braces were cut off

• Weld areas ground, sanded, and finished

• Railings refinished to appear as though the braces had never existed

Because Alpine self-performs both coating and fabrication, the GC benefited from single-source execution under one project manager, eliminating coordination gaps between trades.

Surface Preparation Scope

Surface preparation was extensive due to the range of substrates and the visibility of finished work:

• Full protection and masking of adjacent surfaces to control overspray

• Compressed-air blow-down of ceiling areas to remove dust

• Solvent wiping of select metal surfaces for adhesion

• Mechanical prep of modified metal (cut, sand, feathered areas)

• Multiple filler applications on railing repairs with sanding between coats

• Sheetrock repairs, spackle, skim/skin coating

• Graphic and vinyl removal, sanding and skim coating to prevent telegraphing

Materials & Coating Systems

All products used were from Sherwin-Williams, selected to meet durability, appearance, and indoor air quality requirements:

• PrepRite® ProBlock Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer (spot priming sheetrock repairs)

• ProCryl® Rust Inhibitive Primer (spot priming rusted metal)

• Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel, Satin (railings, lamps, sconces)

• DTM Primer/Finish, Flat (light blue skylight ceiling surfaces)

• ProMar® 200 Zero VOC, Flat (sheetrock walls)

• ProMar® 200 Zero VOC, Eggshell (sheetrock columns)

• ProMar® 200 HP Zero VOC, Flat (sheetrock ceilings)

• Pro Industrial® Waterborne Acrylic Dryfall, Flat (interior metal ceilings and upper surfaces)

Client Priorities & Responsiveness

Top Client Priorities

• Schedule certainty: The project was required to finish before Thanksgiving (11/27).

  • Alpine completed the project approximately one month early.

• Operational continuity: The mall had to remain clean, safe, and welcoming every morning.

  • Alpine ensured full nightly cleanup and protection of public spaces.

Last-Minute Requests

In the final week, daylight exposure from skylights revealed finish inconsistencies not visible during night work. The client requested repainting of several entrance ceilings.

Alpine completed these additional touch-ups at no additional cost, extending the project by approximately one week to meet the aesthetic standard.

Field Execution Techniques

• Night-only containment sequencing with full daily reset

• Multi-substrate prep: air blow-down, solvent wipe, sanding, spackle, skim coating

• Specialty lift planning under strict floor load limits

• Seamless metal finishing so modified railings appeared original

Safety Plan

Safety was critical due to elevation, metal cutting, specialty equipment, and public exposure:

• Daily toolbox talks and pre-task hazard analyses

• Double-lanyard fall protection for continuous tie-off

• Tethered tools to prevent dropped-object hazards

• Strict aerial lift protocols, inspections, and operator training

• Hot work controls and PPE for fabrication tasks

• Nightly containment and floor protection to isolate work zones

Results & Community Impact

The completed project delivered a clean, modern, refreshed interior that improved both ownership and customer experience:

• Consistent finishes across ceilings, skylights, steel, and railings

• Removal of long-standing dust and buildup, resulting in brighter spaces

• Noticeable aesthetic improvement with minimal disruption to mall operations

Client Testimonial

“The Bridgewater Commons project was our first encounter with Alpine Painting. A super-regional retail mall common area refresh project is always a large undertaking, requiring our partnering subcontractors’ attention to detail and special care for all of the involved parties that make up a mall environment. From top to bottom, the Alpine team has been a pleasure to work with… We would certainly work with Alpine again if an opportunity presents itself.”
— Nathan P. Ries, President, Unified Construction Group, LLC

What Made This Project Stand Out

• Large scale and duration (5 months of nightly work)

• High-visibility finishes seen by thousands of daily visitors

• Strict night-only execution with daily reset

• Complex access and specialty lift coordination

• Integrated painting and metal fabrication under one team

Key Takeaway

The project succeeded because Alpine combined deep planning, clear communication, and disciplined execution. By over-communicating expectations, addressing risks early, and staffing the project correctly, Alpine delivered a high-quality result in one of the most demanding interior environments.