Last updated on May 22nd, 2024 at 03:35 am

For decades San Francisco has been a difficult hotel market due to the scarcity of land, but due to recent uncertainty in the housing market, the hospitality market in the city is finally seeing growth. Coupled with an annually increasing number of visitors, San Francisco’s is finally seeing an upward rise in the demand to build hotel accommodations.

If you’re looking to construct a hotel or hospitality project in the city, this list features the best hotel and hospitality contractors who have built some of the city’s most historic, iconic hotel projects. These builders have been chosen and ranked by our team based on the number of projects they have in the city, their awards and recognition, their industry affiliations, the notable clientele, the years they have in the business, and the quality of their hospitality projects.

 

 

10) Charles Pankow Builders

1 Sutter St. Suite #200, San Francisco, CA 94109

Charles Pankow Builders has provided design-build services throughout California since 1963. Charles Pankow, the founder of the firm, established the firm with a mission to find a better way to achieve clients’ goals. In 1993, ten firms, including Pankow, organized the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), an organization dedicated to promoting design-build services. Since then, the firm has been one of the most reputable design-build contractors in the San Francisco area and has constructed numerous education campuses, healthcare institutes, hospitality buildings, mixed-use properties, offices, parking structures, residential buildings, and retail spaces. For more than five decades, the firm has received various awards of excellence from Engineering News-Record (ENR), the Design-Build Institute of America’s Western Pacific Region (DBIA-WPR), and the International Partnering Institute (IPI).

Among its projects is the Hyatt Place in San Francisco. The firm partnered with Stonebridge Companies for the construction of the 103,000-square-foot, eleven-story hotel with 230 rooms. The hotel features one level of below-grade valet parking, a courtyard, a restaurant and bar, and a technology center and retail space.


9) Herrero Builders

2100 Oakdale Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124

Since 1955, Herrero Builders has provided commercial general contracting services throughout the San Francisco and greater Bay Area. With the company’s goal to discover and deliver value better than anyone in any industry, the firm has completed many notable projects in the healthcare, education, commercial, research and development, industrial, parking, athletic, retail, and multi-unit residential sectors. In 2007, the company adapted Lean Methodology practices to help eliminate waste in the construction industry. Additionally, the firm also employs sustainable building practices.

Located at the Main Post in the Presidio of San Francisco, the Inn at the Presidio is a restored lodge consisting of 22 accommodations including 17 suites with fireplaces. Restored by the Herrero team, the inn offers a historic experience for its visitors. Moreover, the firm renovated the Funston House, a beautiful Victorian-style historic home with four bedrooms located just a few steps from the inn and Cavallo Point Lodge located within the Golden Gate National Rec Area of the NPS.


8) BCCI Builders

1160 Battery St., Suite #250, San Francisco, CA 94111

From structures to interiors, BCCI Builders has provided its construction expertise to San Francisco and Mountain View clients since 1986. This privately-owned business offers full-service construction work for multiple industries. Throughout the years, the firm has served some of the Bay Area’s most prominent companies and establishments in the educational, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and commercial sectors. BCCI takes pride in its reputation for meticulous workmanship, working closely with clients to construct tailor-made solutions.

Consider this renovation of the historic Villa Florence Hotel in San Francisco. The project included extensive structural renovations and seismic upgrades, a new glass and steel entry canopy, and a property marquee sign. In a joint venture with Patri Merker Architects, the hotel’s interior features Italian-themed decor with terrazzo mosaic and a cafe and wine bar.


7) McCarthy

1265 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111

McCarthy’s desire to help clients maximize their results has fueled the company’s goal to be the best builder in the country since 1864. The firm is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), employing sustainable and green building techniques in its projects. In 2018 the firm was awarded the Top 20 Green Builder in the nation by the Engineering-News Record (ENR) and ENR California ranked McCarthy #1 Design-Build Top Contractor in 2018. The firm is also a recipient of numerous industry awards for various sectors. 

Serving the hospitality sector, the firm has completed numerous hotels across the nation. One is the aLoft Hotel. The project consisted of the conversion of the Clarion Hotel into the aLoft San Francisco. After the demolition of the 1960’s building, McCarthy constructed new structures and extensive site improvements as well as the renovation of the existing guestroom buildings. Upon completion, the hotel featured 253 rooms with 515 parking spaces.


6) Swinerton

1719 260 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107

Since its establishment in 1888, Swinerton has been one of the most trusted contractors nationwide. With offices in various locations including Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, Swinerton has completed many award-winning projects. The firm was founded by Alfred Swinerton, a young Swedish immigrant who formed a brick masonry and contracting business in Los Angeles during the post-Gold Rush building boom. The firm has since grown and now has over 3,500 employees across the nation. This 100 percent employee-owned firm works to be the preferred builder in every market it serves.

Orchard Garden Hotel, the first LEED-certified hotel in California, is among Swinerton’s most impressive projects. Swinerton performed general contracting, green building, and pre-construction services to the 86-room boutique hotel. This eco-friendly hotel features an allergy-free room, a business center, a fitness center, and a restaurant and bar.


5) R.D. Olson

400 Spectrum Center Dr. Suite #1200, Irvine, CA 92618

Irvine-based R.D. Olson is a national general contracting and construction management firm. With over four decades of experience, the firm has consistently produced high-quality hospitality projects and it is known for its cutting-edge expertise in the multifamily, senior living, and higher education sectors. Over the years, the firm has built an impressive resume of projects in the hotel, resort, multifamily, country club, retail, and restaurant markets. Its reputation has helped it earn the trust of many clients including Marriott and Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, among many others.

The firm is affiliated with numerous organizations such as the Building Industry Association of Southern California, the Urban Land Institute, 55+ Housing Council, and more. R.D. Olson was hired to rebuild San Francisco’s Monaco Hotel, which was originally constructed in 1907. The extensive renovation of the hotel consisted of the restoration of the exterior and the addition of a new 10,000-square-foot annex as well as the renovation of more than 200 guest rooms and suites.


4) Nibbi Brothers

1000 Brannan St. Suite #102, San Francisco, CA 94103

Founded in 1950, Nibbi Brothers has constructed numerous iconic structures and technically challenging projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marino Nibbi, the founder of the firm, started a small carpentry business in San Francisco. Clients discovered the quality work Marino provides and from there, the business continued to grow and his brother Pete joined him. Today, the firm is an award-winning contractor which has received many recognitions, such as being ranked among ENR’s Top 400 Contractors from 2012 to 2017, being named one of the Top 100 Green Contractors from 2013 to 2016. It also has several safety awards from the American Society of Concrete Contractors and California Employer’s Association.

In 2008, Nibbi completed the seismic upgrade and full lobby improvement of San Francisco’s Hotel Abri. The five-story hotel was built in 1907, a year after the infamous and historic San Francisco earthquake. And after it survived the disastrous 1989 earthquake, Larkspur Hotels and Restaurants purchased the hotel and had the structure updated for future seismic activity. Nibbi also performed hotel improvements and finished two months ahead of schedule with little to no disruptions to ongoing hotel operations.


3) Cahill Contractors

425 California St. Suite #2200, San Francisco, CA 94104

With over 100 years of experience in the construction industry, Cahill Contractors has built a reputation for construction expertise in the San Francisco area. From small tenant improvements to ground-up builds, the Cahill team has proven its capabilities in constructing different project types. The company was founded by John R. Cahill, a civil engineering graduate from the University of California. After the 1906 earthquake, John was inspired to rebuild San Francisco and worked as an engineer before becoming a self-employed engineer and contractor. Several generations later, Cahill Contractors has grown to be one of San Francisco’s leading builders.

Among its hospitality projects is the Argonaut Hotel and San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center. The project involved the historic renovation of the Haslett Warehouse, which was structurally reinforced into a boutique hotel and maritime museum. Originally built in 1907, the Greek legend-inspired boutique hotel features an exquisite exposed brick facade and Douglas Fir beams.


2) Plant Construction

300 Newhall St., San Francisco, CA

Plant Construction was established by brothers Tom, Buck, and Dave Plant in 1947. Up to this day, the firm still stands with the core values that enabled the firm to deliver the finest construction services to its clients. What started out as a custom home contractor is now one of the leading commercial general contractors. For its craftsmanship and attention to detail, the firm has garnered a number of industry awards and recognitions including being ranked #236 on ENR’s list of Top 400 Contractors in 2015 and finding itself named among The 75 largest commercial contractors in the Greater Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times in 2014.

Located at the top of Nob Hill, Plant provided extensive renovations and upgrades for the Fairmont Hotel. The project also consisted of extensive renovations to the guestrooms and bathrooms as well as the main lobby, meeting rooms, ballrooms, restaurants, and the hotel’s exterior facade. Additionally, Plant repaired and replaced the hotel’s fire sprinklers, installed new elevators, and installed new roofing, and constructed a new roof deck.


1) Webcor

207 King St. Suite #300, San Francisco, CA 94107

Established in 1971, Webcor Construction started as a low-to-mid-rise office building contractor in San Mateo. Shortly thereafter, the firm expanded and began to construct high-rise and public-works projects. Today, the company has completed numerous large-scale projects throughout San Francisco, Alameda, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Honolulu and has earned multiple industry awards from prestigious organizations. In 2018, the firm ranked #9 on ENR’s list of Top Green Contractors, and in 2013, Webcor became the only California-based General Contractor to have an ISO 9001 Certification.

Among Webcor’s hospitality projects: the four-star InterContinental Hotel located on the corner of Howard and 5th streets. The project included the construction of a 32-story concrete tower with two below-grade parking levels. The hotel features 550 rooms and suites, 21 meeting rooms, a swimming pool, a health spa, two ballrooms, and a six-floor podium room. The project also consists of sustainable features such as high-efficiency boilers and water heaters. Upon completion, the project received a LEED Gold certification.


How can I find a general contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best general contractors in and near Stockton. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

The Best Hotel and Hospitality Contractors in San Diego

The Best Hotel and Hospitality Contractors in San Jose


About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration


Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about improving an office space, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Author