For over a hundred years, Bobbe & Company has been the painting contractor for business and industry.

Bobbe's founder, Joseph Bobbe, was a struggling artist in Holland before emigrating in 1887 to this country. He began work as a painter for the original Palmer House Hotel. His skills and quality work came to Potter Palmer's attention, who chose him to help decorate his new residence under construction on North Lake Shore Drive.

In 1893, Joseph Bobbe began his own painting business at 1914 S. Wabash in Chicago, using a horse drawn wagon to deliver his ladders, planks, drop cloths and paint supplies. He worked on the 1893 Columbian Exposition construction; one of the buildings remains today as the Museum of Science and Industry. To this day, Bobbe & Company continues to deliver the exceptional service started by Joseph Bobbe in 1893.

"In August of 2005, Wal-Mart Stores engaged CenterPoint Properties to construct two warehouse/distribution facilities totaling 3.4M SF at our CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Elwood, IL. Not only was this the largest industrial build-to-suit transaction in Chicagoland history, we would have to guarantee completion of these facilities in just 10 months. The only way we make that kind of guarantee is by working with outstanding sub-contractors that we know will get the job done on schedule. As expected, Bobbe & Company finished both buildings on time, and the end product was excellent. Once again, CenterPoint was proud to have Bobbe and Company on our team."

Neil Doyle
Centerpoint Properties Trust