This is a case of the KISS principle for commercial RE. Here is my suggestion, re-paint the front checkerboard of the building the same light creme color. However, paint the bottom of each unit window panel, as well as the sides / base / top supports of the building, chocolate brown.

If it is in the budget, change the red awnings to dark green awnings.

Lastly, for dramatic landscaping, plant 10 to 12 - 8'-15' tall pine trees horizontally along the front of the building so all will know where they are when they arrive.

I hope this will, at minimum, get you thinking! :)

Themrene.houzz.com

You also have an opportunity to highlight by adding color to the wide bands at the ends of the building and the low section to the right. Replace the low shrubs at the base with vertical plantings that will add interest and some camouflage to the short block building.

How about the top apartment an accent color matching the awning and one strip on 6th floor. Big planter boxes. (Something else to get you thinking!) Good luck. Please send picture of finished project.

Thank you so much for the advice everyone! I think the higher trees will help alot as well. Can you recommend some software that will help me play with colors and plantings?

Here are a couple of free professional photo editing software programs, info, & links:


http://www.getpaint.net/

Getpaint.net, available as a free download for Windows users, was originally created by an undergraduate student under the mentorship of Microsoft. It is considered an upgrade to the Windows standard program Paint, and offers many of the same features as Adobe Photoshop, such as layers, special effects, brushes and numerous other tools.


http://fotoflexer.com/

FotoFlexer is an online photo editor that boasts many advanced effects such as layers, distortions, doodling, frames, text, color warping and shape warping. You use the program by uploading photos to the photo editor; you can save them to a computer once you've made the desired changes.

How about a large graphic on the end of the building. Perhaps with numbers such as the building numbers painted vertically. Perhaps you could consign a street artist to come up with a colorful image to use.

Like the others have said, painting will certainly update the look. You could also consider improving the landscaping and adding some lighting to highlight the building at night from the ground up or top.