Santa Monica is a picturesque coastal city in Southern California, known for its stunning beach, lively pier with an amusement park, and vibrant dining and shopping scene along the Third Street Promenade. The city is also a hub for a dynamic commercial landscape, featuring a blend of innovative startups and well-established businesses. To support the success of these enterprises, we’ve curated a list of eight top-tier commercial contractors in Santa Monica, chosen for their remarkable portfolios, extensive experience, and industry acclaim.
Howard CDM
17434 Bellflower Blvd, Suite 300, Bellflower, CA 90706
Howard CDM is a California-based construction, development, and management company that has delivered superior products to its clients since 1972. With a focus on commercial construction, the company has successfully completed numerous projects throughout California, always meeting clients’ expectations while adhering to their budgets and timelines. The company is led by President and CEO Martin D. Howard, a Southern California native with close to 40 years of experience in the industry. Under his leadership, Howard CDM has grown from a small family business into a successful, multimillion-dollar company with over 45 full-time employees.
Howard CDM’s notable projects include the Laemmle Theatres, Orange County School of the Arts, Otium Restaurant, and SteelCraft. It has also managed significant developments such as The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, City Place in Long Beach, and The District in Tustin, and has worked with notable names such as Louis Vuitton and Marriott. Its work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse from Long Beach Heritage, and has been featured in various press outlets, including MSN Money, LA Business Journal, and The New York Times.
Taslimi
1805 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Founded in 1985, Taslimi Construction is a company that prides itself on delivering high-quality services and products to its discerning clientele. With a strong commitment to quality and a meticulous attention to detail, Taslimi has built a reputation for excellence in the construction industry. Its projects are led by teams that take pride in both collective and individual achievements, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional excellence. This team is co-led by Mehran Taslimi and Shidan Taslimi. Mehran, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard University Graduate School of Design, is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Shidan, with over 35 years of experience in construction, holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Over the years, Taslimi has been recognized with numerous awards for its outstanding work, including 17 Calibre Awards, several Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Awards for Commercial Interiors, and an AIA Merit Award. It has also been featured in various press outlets, including the Los Angeles Business Journal, Architectural Digest, and Wall Street Journal. Taslimi’s client roster includes notable names such as Lionsgate, ESPN, Fox, Sony Music, Twitter, and Rolex.
W.E. O’Neil Construction
909 N Pacific Coast Hwy, #400, El Segundo, CA 90245
W.E. O’Neil Construction is a nationally recognized and award-winning construction company that has been in operation since 1925. With nearly 100 years in business, W.E. O’Neil Construction prides itself on building great relationships. The company’s foundation is rooted in commitment to quality, integrity, and responsiveness to its clients’ needs. Over the years, it has built a reputation for quality professional construction services, with over 80% of its work coming from repeat clients.
The company is led by CEO Brian Ramsay and President John Finn, who both bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the company. W.E. O’Neil Construction has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 ENR Top 400 General Contractors and the 2023 ULI America Award for Excellence Finalist. It is accredited by the Associated General Contractors, with several projects achieving LEED Gold/Silver certification. The firm has been featured in numerous press outlets, including the Long Beach Business Journal and the Los Angeles Times, and its notable projects include the 401 Broadway Capital Café and the ArcLight Theater.
PNG Builders
2392 S Bateman Ave, Irwindale, CA 91010
Founded in 1959, PNG Builders is a high-end general contractor based in Southern California. With over 62 years of experience and $6 billion in construction value, the company has built an extensive portfolio of work in highly specialized construction sectors. The firm is committed to providing unsurpassed construction services to its clients, offering its team opportunities for sustained professional development and growth, and maintaining consistent, reliable, and fairly remunerated work for its vendors and subcontractors. Meanwhile, the company’s long-term client partnerships comprise nearly 70% of its business on an annual average, with some relationships spanning 35-40 years. PNG Builders is also a 100% employee-owned company backed by over 80 dedicated stakeholders.
The company is led by President Steve Mathison, a dedicated professional who has been with PNG Builders since 1993. Mathison’s commitment to hard work and relationship building has been instrumental in the company’s success. This has included recognition with numerous awards, including the 2023 ENR California’s Best Regional Project Award and the 2023 LABJ Gold Award for Best New Headquarters. One of the firm’s impressive projects is the Nordstrom Local Brentwood, featured here.
Ramland Construction
1650 Westwood Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Founded in 1999, Ramland Construction is a leading general contracting firm based in Los Angeles, California. With an annual revenue of over 30 million dollars, the company has successfully completed more than 300 projects, establishing itself as a leader in hospitality construction. However, it has expanded its operations across the United States to include specializations in restaurants, hotels, and retail projects.
Under the leadership of Steve Ramras, the founder and president, the company has demonstrated a commitment to project success and profitability. With extensive experience in commercial contracting, project management, and executive leadership, Ramland Construction brings a wealth of knowledge to any project or team. Under his guidance, the company’s notable projects include One Pico and Sea Wellness Spa, and its clients include renowned brands such as Fig & Olive, Cafe Gratitude, Le Pain Quotidien, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Ramland Construction’s work has also been featured in prestigious publications like the Los Angeles Times and Vogue. With a commitment to delivering exceptional projects on time and within budget, Ramland Construction builds success, one project at a time.
CalAsia Construction
3050 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90065
CalAsia Construction is a Los Angeles-based construction company specializing in commercial and residential projects, particularly restaurants. Founded in 2003 by John and Myrna Murawski, the firm has successfully completed over 500 projects, ranging from custom homes and retail spaces to ground-up buildings and restaurants. It prides itself on its commitment to providing the best possible service to its clients and delivering projects within a reasonable timeframe and at a fair cost. Its approach is rooted in transparency and collaboration, aiming to share knowledge and understanding of the construction process, codes, and practices with all construction team members. This approach fosters partnerships, reduces stress, saves time and money, and forms lasting friendships.
CalAsia Construction is led by CEO John Murawski, who brings a wealth of experience from his early days working in construction trades, and COO Myrna Murawski, who oversees the company’s daily operations. The company’s work has been recognized with a 2017 Calibre Design Award and with features in publications such as LA Weekly and Trends Ideas. Over the years, CalAsia has worked with notable clients like Marriott, Chop Stop, and Coffee Bean, and has been involved in high-profile projects such as Pasjoli.
Letter Four
12822 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Founded in 2009, LETTER FOUR is a full-service design-build firm based in Los Angeles, California. With seamless integration of architecture and construction, the firm addresses the diverse goals of its clients, offering inspired and original works that are both feasible and achievable. It specializes in creating dream commercial spaces, retail environments, offices, and restaurants. It has worked with notable retail clients such as Urban Outfitters and Frame Denim, and its projects have been featured in various press outlets, including Voyage LA Magazine, Dwell, and Archinect.
The firm is led by co-owners Lauren Adams and Jeremy Baker, who both offer a wealth of experience and a deep passion for their craft. Adams, with her background in architecture and design, leads the architectural design team, while Baker, with his extensive experience in construction and project management, leads the general contracting team. They lead the company to continue pushing the boundaries of design, helping clients explore new possibilities and find imaginative yet practical solutions for truly unique homes.
