Lorig Associates purchased the historic five story Commencement Bay Building in downtown Tacoma with the intent to convert the building from office space to artists' loft housing. Renamed The Cliff Street Lofts, this innovative conversion created both work and living space, along with street level retail. This project was the first of its kind in the downtown area, helping to fill an under-utilized area between the Foss Waterway, Theater District and the historic and recently renovated Union Station.

Maria Barrientos served as the Project Manager. She was charged with hiring the design and construction teams, managing the development budget, and coordinating information for the local tax-credit program. The financing for this project was provided by a combination of City of Tacoma Economic Development low interest loan funds, historic tax credits, and labor-union pension funds.