Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 07:58 am

Santa Monica is a sophisticated yet relaxed community. It draws people who appreciate beach living and the beautiful Southern California climate but who also want access to world-class services. Many tech companies, from small startups to substantial online businesses, have moved to Santa Monica in recent years. The increased need for workers has driven housing growth, new construction, and a demand for commercial property.

This article lists some of Santa Monica, California’s best tenant improvement contractors. These impressive firms have the knowledge, experience, and expertise needed to create a successful commercial space.


W.E. O’Neil Construction

909 N Pacific Coast Hwy. Suite #400, El Segundo, CA 90245

Since its start in 1925, W.E. O’Neil Construction Company has solidified its reputation as a national leader. The firm has built a diverse portfolio and won numerous awards for its impressive work. With the stability of 90 years of experience and four generations of leadership, the firm has established long-lasting relationships and a solid track record of satisfying clients with high-quality craftsmanship. Over 80% of the firm’s work comes from repeat clients, a testament to the firm’s ability to deliver a flawless project and an enjoyable construction experience.

With this fast-track project for long-time client Raytheon, an entire floor of their El Segundo office was moved. The interior was stripped down for the renovation, and the new, high-end office space was built in place. The build-out includes new, non-weight bearing interior walls, electrical work, lighting, and finishes.


Millie and Severson

3601 Serpentine Dr., Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Since its start in 1947,  Millie and Severson have served California and neighboring states as a full-service general contractor. Over the years, the firm has built an impressive portfolio that showcases its ability to build projects of any size, scope, and complexity. The firm offers comprehensive construction and preconstruction services that allow it to handle meticulously every project detail from start to finish. The company aims to build long-lasting relationships with its customers by consistently exceeding their expectations. It is backed by dedicated employee-owners committed to understanding and meeting every client’s unique construction needs.

In this featured project, the firm turned a tilted office building into a two-level space for offices and a warehouse. The team added a new structural steel mezzanine, mechanical units, upgraded electrical service, a large gym, a full chef’s kitchen in the break room, and an outdoor patio area with water feature and chef’s barbecue.


DPR Construction

88 West Colorado Blvd. Suite #301, Pasadena, CA 91105

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor and construction manager focusing on technically complex and sustainable projects for various markets. Its impressive portfolio showcases the diverse range of its work, from large, new building projects to minor tenant improvements and specialized projects. DPR is a one-of-a-kind technical builder that cares about getting things done right the first time. Its integrated and personalized approach allows it to take full responsibility for every project, whether a multimillion-dollar facility or an office renovation. The firm guarantees client satisfaction through quality, professionalism, and excellence. 

The Manatt, Phelps & Phillips project shown here is a high-end law office tenant improvement with ADA upgrades. The space was created in two 10-story buildings connected by an open walkway. Seven floors were split into five stages, with each stage overlapping the previous one. Finishes include walnut column and soffit wraps, Italian stone, plasma screen TVs, and 2’x8′ ceiling planks.


Bernards

555 First St., San Fernando, CA 91340

Since its start in 1974, Bernards has solidified its well-deserved reputation as one of the best commercial builders with offices all over California. Founded by brothers Doug, Greg, and Jeff, the firm offers general contracting, construction, and program management services to help its clients with their unique construction needs. It has worked on countless projects for school districts, colleges, universities, developers, corporations, healthcare organizations, entertainment venues, and government agencies. Its impressive portfolio is a testament to its ability to deliver a high-quality project on schedule and within budget. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of satisfied clients who have provided positive feedback.

This featured project is Bernard’s new corporate headquarters, San Fernando’s first LEED® Silver building. The company’s departments are arranged around the circulation spine and an intersecting gallery, encouraging staff to talk with one another and work together. The project includes 105 parking spots and seismic upgrades.


Taslimi

1805 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404

Taslimi, founded in 1985, is known for the high quality of its work and its attention to detail, as can be seen in its portfolio. The company’s team works together to deliver exceptional results and smoothly coordinated project delivery. Over the years, the firm has continued to grow and improve its services by developing its team members’ unique contributions and keeping professional standards at a high level. Whatever the project’s size, scope, or complexity, the firm has proven its ability to deliver quality craftsmanship, creative techniques, and cost-efficient solutions for successful results. 

One of the firm’s notable projects is Lionsgate’s Headquarters in Santa Monica, California. The firm provided tenant improvement services for all five floors. The project included conference rooms, huddle areas, open workstations, pantries, upgrades to the IDF Room, and remodeling the restrooms on the first and fifth floors.


Charles Pankow Builders, Ltd.

199 S Los Robles Ave. Suite #300, Pasadena, CA 91101

Since its start in 1963, Charles Pankow Builders has been developing creative ways to solve clients’ construction problems. The firm can handle projects of any size, scope, or complexity. The company offers nearly six decades of experience designing and building spaces using the latest technology, creative techniques, and sustainable solutions. It offers a single-source solution for its clients, which allows it to control the quality from start to finish. The company’s comprehensive services include design-build, design-assist, general contracting, and tenant improvement services. It has established an impressive portfolio and solid track record of satisfied clients who testify to the company’s quality and professionalism. 

In this featured project, the firm renovated the Educational Services Center for the Los Angeles Community College District in downtown Los Angeles, built in the 1970s. The tenant improvement project covers nine floors. It was built in stages, one floor at a time, while the rest of the building was still in use.


Howard CDM

17434 Bellflower Blvd. Suite #300, Bellflower, CA 90706

Howard CDM is a general construction firm committed to delivering successful construction projects for its clients. Since its start in 1972, the firm has solidified its reputation as one of the best in the industry by focusing on its clients’ needs, building relationships, and completing projects successfully. It specializes in commercial construction, development, and management, with an impressive portfolio of diverse projects that showcase its ability to exceed client expectations. The company’s team offers years of experience in design and construction, ensuring every project goes well. 

XAP Corporation chose Howard CDM to turn an empty, 7,600-square-foot office into a stylish, up-to-date space for new corporate headquarters. The Howard CDM team worked with Wolcott Architecture, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Bantry Holdings to create a beautiful and functional office space for the XAP Corporation in just eight weeks.


Sierra Pacific Constructors

22212 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Sierra Pacific Constructors is a general contractor specializing in commercial construction. Since its start in 1980, the firm has earned its well-deserved reputation as an industry leader, building high-quality projects on time and within budget. With more than 3,200 projects completed successfully, the firm’s portfolio provides numerous examples of its diverse capabilities. The firm is backed by a family of team players who are skilled, reliable, and open to change. Whether handling a simple tenant improvement or new commercial construction, the firm guarantees quality and professionalism at every project stage. 

One of the firm’s notable projects is the United Online building, which won Silver Tenant Improvement of the Year at the Commercial Real Estate Awards. The space has a clean and minimalistic look with white walls and light hardwood floors. The many large windows provide an abundance of natural light.


DEB Construction

2230 E Winston Rd. Anaheim, CA 92806

For over 47 years, DEB Construction has helped people across the country with their commercial construction and construction management needs. The company has an impressive portfolio of commercial general contracting projects, including tenant improvement and new construction. The firm consistently delivers quality work on time and within budget, resulting in countless satisfied clients returning for their subsequent projects. The company is large enough to handle full-service commercial general contracting but small enough to give each customer personalized service. 

This tenant improvement project for Northern Trust in Pasadena, California is an example of DEB Construction’s quality work. The project entailed building a new, high-tech conference room with a bar where the company’s partners could conduct business with current and future customers.


Krismar Construction

100 Wilshire Blvd. Suite #1600, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Since its beginning in 1967, Krismar Construction Company has built over 5.5 million square feet of projects worth more than $600 million. Its reputation as an industry leader is well-deserved, as demonstrated by Krismar’s portfolio. The firm gets involved early in a project, allowing it to be well-informed and to provide valuable insights. This strategy has helped get many successful projects to market in much less time than is typical in the industry. Over the years, Krismar Construction has prioritized good early planning to ensure every project is delivered on schedule and within budget without compromising quality.

One of the firm’s unique projects is The Reserve, a 20-acre property on the edge of a restored wetland and wildlife preserve. It has cutting-edge amenities in a high-performance office space designed to help today’s innovators be creative and find balance. It offers stunning architecture and interiors filled with natural light, making it a stimulating environment for tech companies, digital arts groups, media groups, and other forward-thinking businesses.


Reaume Richardson

442 S Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA, 91105

Reaume Richardson is a general contractor in Los Angeles with 20 years of extensive experience. Since its start in 2003, the firm has served clients in Santa Monica, California, providing comprehensive construction services to bring the city’s renowned, historic buildings back to life, one project at a time. Since then, the firm has continuously strived for improvement and learning to perfect its processes and ensure smooth and seamless project delivery. The firm utilizes cutting-edge technology and flexible solutions to deliver the best value for its clients’ investments. As the firm has grown and expanded, it has remained committed to exceeding client expectations every time. 

In this featured project, Rockefeller Kempel Architects and Reaume Richardson worked together to turn this empty eighth floor into modern offices. The project features a transitional space with warm tones throughout, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The red accent wall contrasts with the wood surfaces.

Author