The Edgewater Beach Apartments, a storied Chicago landmark since 1928, is getting a long-overdue facelift. For the first time in 25 years, the iconic 20-story Spanish Revival building's exterior is being repainted in its signature sunset pink hue.
Workers have been meticulously painting the southeast wing since April, and by spring 2026, they will complete the task for the other three wings. As a result, the newly painted sections now contrast sharply with the faded pink tones of the older wings, creating an interesting visual juxtaposition.
"It makes the old coating look almost brown," said Edgewater Beach Apartments Corp. President Joseph D. Ferrario. "It's just so dazzling." The fresh coat of paint not only revitalizes the building but also adheres better to its masonry surfaces due to a special measure of elasticity that resists expansion and contraction cycles caused by Chicago's unpredictable weather.
The Edgewater Beach Apartments has been a beloved landmark on Lake Shore Drive for nearly a century, boasting a Maltese Cross-like floor plan and serving as a stylish retreat for celebrities like Nat King Cole, Bette Davis, and Babe Ruth. The building's architectural firm, Marshall & Fox, envisioned it as a lifestyle destination where residents could live "as if they were on vacation."
In recent years, the Edgewater Beach Apartments has faced structural issues and required significant repairs. However, the ongoing repaint project aims to extend its lifespan by another 25 years.
Historically accurate sunset pink paint was sourced from a can left in the building's basement from a 1999 repainting, with consultants verifying that it matched the original 1928 color. The effort has been extensive, involving over 500 gallons of paint and between four to 16 workers depending on weather conditions.
As the project nears completion next month, Ferrario acknowledged its significance, stating, "This is a pretty substantial project for us, but it's something that needs to be done." By preserving this beloved landmark, Chicago will continue to enjoy an enduring piece of its architectural heritage.
Workers have been meticulously painting the southeast wing since April, and by spring 2026, they will complete the task for the other three wings. As a result, the newly painted sections now contrast sharply with the faded pink tones of the older wings, creating an interesting visual juxtaposition.
"It makes the old coating look almost brown," said Edgewater Beach Apartments Corp. President Joseph D. Ferrario. "It's just so dazzling." The fresh coat of paint not only revitalizes the building but also adheres better to its masonry surfaces due to a special measure of elasticity that resists expansion and contraction cycles caused by Chicago's unpredictable weather.
The Edgewater Beach Apartments has been a beloved landmark on Lake Shore Drive for nearly a century, boasting a Maltese Cross-like floor plan and serving as a stylish retreat for celebrities like Nat King Cole, Bette Davis, and Babe Ruth. The building's architectural firm, Marshall & Fox, envisioned it as a lifestyle destination where residents could live "as if they were on vacation."
In recent years, the Edgewater Beach Apartments has faced structural issues and required significant repairs. However, the ongoing repaint project aims to extend its lifespan by another 25 years.
Historically accurate sunset pink paint was sourced from a can left in the building's basement from a 1999 repainting, with consultants verifying that it matched the original 1928 color. The effort has been extensive, involving over 500 gallons of paint and between four to 16 workers depending on weather conditions.
As the project nears completion next month, Ferrario acknowledged its significance, stating, "This is a pretty substantial project for us, but it's something that needs to be done." By preserving this beloved landmark, Chicago will continue to enjoy an enduring piece of its architectural heritage.
I'm so stoked to see the Edgewater Beach Apartments getting a facelift! It's crazy how much character and charm it still has after all these years. The sunset pink paint is everything – it adds this pop of color that makes the old coating look, like, totally new again 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in a building that's been around since 1928? It's like you're stepping into history or something 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that they found the exact same paint from 1999? That's dedication to authenticity 
!
. 25 years is a long time, and the pink hue is iconic, but I'm not sure if painting all the wings at once is the best idea... what if it's like that new Apple update where everything looks great for a sec but then you realize how cluttered it gets? 
Also, 500 gallons of paint? That's wild. And yeah, extending its lifespan by another 25 years is a good thing, but I hope they don't forget to fix those structural issues next 
... at the same time as the original pink paint is still so iconic and nostalgic 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey old girl, we've got you covered" 
... now it just needs to address that foundation issues ASAP 
.
. And what's with the 'historic accuracy'? Like, who cares if they got the exact shade right from a can in the basement? 
. I mean, what about the chemicals and stuff? Can we really just sweep those under the rug? 
.
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the Edgewater Beach Apartments is getting a major facelift and I am LIVING for the sunset pink paint job! 
. And can we talk about how much work went into finding that original 1999 paint can? Like, over 500 gallons of paint?! 
That's dedication to preserving this iconic landmark! 
.
. I'm loving the retro vibes and I hope this update helps extend the building's lifespan by another 25 years 
Also, I can see how the new paint would make the old parts look, well, old 
. It's great that it'll last another 25 years and keep its special vibe going 
. The contrast between old and new is crazy, it's like they're giving the building a brand new personality 
.
And can you imagine living in a building where Nat King Cole and Babe Ruth hung out? That's some serious celebrity cred 
. The fact that it's not just about aesthetics, but also about preserving the building's integrity is what makes this project so special 
.
. Chicago has so much character and charm, and landmarks like Edgewater Beach Apartments are a big part of that. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves - maybe they can even get some TLC from the city's preservation society 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that they used paint from 1999 to get the color right 
? Like, history in a can, man! 
. And yeah, the paint job is on point – that elasticity stuff really helps the old building deal with Chicago's weird weather. 
Let's hope this facelift extends its lifespan and keeps it standing tall for another 25 years or so! 
But seriously, a sunset pink coat is gonna make it look so fresh and new. And it's cool that they found an old can of paint from 1999 to match the original color. Like, what are the chances, right? 
The fact that they're extending the building's lifespan by another 25 years is a huge win for Chicago's architectural heritage - it's wonderful to see such attention to preserving our cultural treasures 
. Can't wait to see the finished result next month 
!
️. It's clear that the team has put in a ton of effort to ensure this iconic building continues to thrive for another 25 years 
. I mean, can you imagine what it would be like to live in a stylish retreat that feels like a perpetual vacation 
? The Maltese Cross-like floor plan and celebrity past are just the cherry on top – this project is giving me all the nostalgic feels 
that's dedication to preserving history. and let's be real, who needs structural issues when you've got a dope new coat of paint