Braidwood by the Sea, Maroochydore

An apartment complex of 24 dwellings, just one block back from the beach at Cotton Tree, became the “office” for Grant Painters’ Brisbane–Sunshine Coast crew throughout this project  – and it doesn’t get much more idyllic than that.

The brief was to give the exterior a freshen-up while also treating intermittent rust spots as part of an active Body Corporate maintenance program.

The refreshed neutral tones (Resene Double White Pointer, Pravda and Half Sea Frog as well as  Colorbond Dune and Monument)  not only lifted the overall look of the complex but also blended seamlessly with the contemporary streetscape, ensuring the building felt right at home in its coastal setting.

Braidwood is the third multi-storey unit block we’ve refurbished in the neighbourhood in as many years and all within 100m of each other.

‘Surf’s up’: The idyllic location helped ensure every day was a good day at the ‘office’.

The challenges and the solutions:

Although relatively straightforward overall, access proved challenging in certain areas — particularly gables above dense tropical plantings and pergolas. On the northern boundary, the complex adjoined the driveway of a neighbouring block, meaning access was only granted under strict conditions.

A knuckle boom was brought in, with work restricted to between 8am and 3pm over a three-week window.

Neighbourly appreciation: A knuckle boom was positioned in a driveway next door to reach the northern face of Braidwood.

Looking sharp: Clean, crisp lines – pictured above and below – were a focus of this project.

Fresh is best: What a difference a wash-down and new paint can make. 

Expansion joints in the formwork adjoining the driveway were also failing and required repair. The team ground out the filler, packed the gaps with foam, and re-sealed to deliver a durable, waterproof finish.

A major focus of the project was restoring straight edges. The previous paint job had left uneven lines around textured surrounds on windows. Through extensive taping and careful brushing, our crew corrected the problem and reinstated the crisp, clean lines the building deserved.

As these photos show, attention to detail extended even to the tops of tiles — ensuring the finish looked sharp from every angle.

Grant Painters site foreman Hayden Hilyear described the project as a textbook example of proactive maintenance.

“This was a straightforward project in the main, and one of the best examples of regular maintenance – including washing down – that I’ve seen.

“This made the work relatively easy.

“Building maintenance is often overlooked but it really pays off in ensuring the structure looks vibrant for many years.”

‘One of the best maintained buildings I’ve seen’: Grant Painters foreman Hayden Hilyear.

The results:

The project demanded 1,000 hours of labour from Grant Painters and almost 600 litres of paint, with the Body Corporate delighted with the standard of work.

“100 per cent,” said chairman Matt Campbell. “The quality of the work was good, and Hayden never became frustrated when things needed to be fixed here and there.

“We’re a proactive Body Corporate and we acted as soon as we could see the exterior starting to deteriorate.”

The Braidwood project stands as a strong example of how regular upkeep, quality workmanship, and careful planning can keep coastal apartment complexes looking their best for years to come.

Refreshed: The work lifted the overall look of the complex.