Hiring an expert commercial contractor ensures the organized, quality, and on-time completion of projects. More than the visuals, a wise contractor will also consider variables like the weather, the clients’ budget, and how the construction will affect market feasibility. To help you find the building partner that will suit your needs, our editorial team has listed The Best Commercial Contractors in Pasadena, California. Firms on this list show sensitivity in their building methods, understanding their relevant role to their clients, employees, and community. Each of these firms has built signature structures that at the same time, show the mission and vision of the brand they built it for.


MATT Construction

261 S Figueroa Street, Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90012

MATT Construction’s successful translation of Hodgetts & Fung Design Associates’ architectural layout for Art Center Sinclair Pavilion resulted in the completion of this award-winning 2000-square-foot glass and steel project. This pavilion incorporates interactive design elements such as a Lamborghini-like entry door and trapezoidal glass façade that students can open and close by rotating the handle. The dynamic and transforming aspects and interactive connection to a setting where students can lounge and discuss led the jurors of  AIA Pasadena to grant the Foothill Merit Award for Design Excellence and Foothill Honor Award to the firm.

In 2017, MATT Construction received the AIA Los Angeles Presidential Award for its contributions and commitment to enriching the practice of architecture and the built environment. It’s an award that explains how the firm shows dedication to the collaborative and community-sensitive building process. It aims to simplify its processes by aligning its project goals to the owner’s and design team’s plans. 


C.W. Driver Companies

468 North Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Dana Roberts leads C.W. Driver Companies through its founding principles about quality, craftsmanship, and the commitment to client satisfaction. He directs the firm’s daily operations via his experience in estimation, fieldwork, and project management. For over five decades, this dedication continues to be acknowledged by different organizations and publications, including the Los Angeles Business Journal, which named him one of 2020’s Top 500 Most Influential People. He leads the synergetic teams of C.W. Driver Companies from their offices in California, as they fulfill the firm’s purpose of providing general contracting, construction management, and design/build services. Serving the Western United States for more than a century, the firm has established an impressive project portfolio that includes educational, entertainment, retail, civic, hospitality, biomedical/life sciences, residential, senior living, and commercial office projects. 

Photo credits: billtimmerman.com

One of its projects is this new Student Services Building at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, which consists of a  two-building, three-story 138,400 square foot replacement facility for Student Services and Administration staff. It houses various faculty offices, multi-purpose meeting and test-taking spaces, financial support, registration, information technology, and outreach offices. The undulating roof design serves a primary and essential role in passive solar design, helping the project reach its desired LEED® Platinum certification. In 2019, ENR California recognized this structure with an Award of Merit in the Higher Education/Research category in Southern California.


DPR Construction

88 West Colorado Boulevard, Suite 301, Pasadena, CA 91105

DPR Construction made history by successfully obtaining a full certificate of occupancy at substantial completion, bypassing the temporary certificate of occupancy process for the Austin Marriott Cesar Chavez project. Opposed to the typical process for large projects like such, City of Austin inspectors stated that this was a first for the city. Austin Marriott Cesar Chavez comprises three levels of below-grade parking, a restaurant, a 60,000-square-foot convention hall, and an amenity deck with a bar and a pool. 

This project shows how DPR Construction carries the ability to perform so much work in-house, including concrete structures, waterproofing, framing, drywall, doors, and hardware. With its virtual design and implementation of modern technology, the firm provides lean practices that result in higher quality and scheduled control. Today, it acts as a leader in implementing prefabrication by offering solutions that conserve product time completion. 

For every project, DPR strives to see it from the customer’s perspective. It studies the various complex and competitive nature, understanding that every market is unique and has different economic drivers that fuel the local economy. Through DPR’s extensive experience, it can critically analyze each phase of the project and establish scheduling milestones relevant to the owners’ needs.


Pankow Builders

199 S Los Robles Avenue, Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91101

A graduate of B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Structural Engineering, Scott Anderson, believes in the essence and perks of striving for continuous improvement. He understands that this belief is helpful for him as a CEO in fulfilling employee experiences, employing effective building solutions, and contributing to the overall market productivity curve. Serving as the leader, Anderson executively develops, communicates, and implements the vision, mission, and structural and cultural direction of Pankow Builders.

Pankow Builders believes in the infinite possibilities of finding better building solutions. It engages existing power in clients, employees, and the communities it works in by respectfully treating them and honoring its commitments. Some of the places it has served include Los Angeles, Pasadena, Oakland, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley, working for the civic, education, healthcare, hospitality, mixed-use, office, residential, and retail sectors.

Teaming up with the California Institute of Technology and Gonzalez Goodale Architects, Pankow delivered value to the Caltech Hameetman Center by using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodology. This center houses an indoor/outdoor student lounge, a new music rehearsal hall, a multi-purpose room, multiple student clubs, a renewed café, and a new dynamic social space for students and faculty.


Alpha Construction Co. Inc.

14601 Aetna Street, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Since 1965, Alpha Construction has been serving Southern California with market-rate housing, affordable housing, full-service pre-construction consulting, project management, and general contracting. It embraces variety by offering its construction services contracts in distinct ways to serve the different requirements that each project demands. These are lump-sum contracts, cost plus a fixed fee with a guaranteed maximum, and cost-plus percentage fee.

Alpha Construction wants early involvement in projects to accomplish its objective of completing every construction on time and within budget. This passion attracts businesses to rely on the firm’s quality services, resulting in superb commercial structures and office buildings. A great example is the Halstead Corporate Center located in Pasadena. The firm embraces diversity and this structure welcomes all ages, abilities, religions, gender identities, races, and ethnicities.

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