Best known for its cultural diversity and the Hollywood film industry, Los Angeles lies in a basin in Southern California and is the second-largest city in the United States, just after New York. This sprawling metropolitan area is called home by countless household brands and growing startups. This list showcases 15 of the area’s best and leading general contractors, the names behind some of its most impressive multifamily structures. These firms were chosen based on their stellar experiences and portfolios. Several of these companies have received countless industry awards, and each offers its own unique skill set.
Bernards
555 First St. San Fernando, CA 91340
Bernards is a nationally ranked multidisciplinary commercial builder led by its CEO, Dave Cavecche. The employee-owned firm provides technical expertise and professional services to a wide variety of clientele. Its areas of expertise include comprehensive preconstruction, general contracting, and construction management services while integrating sustainable building practices. The company’s project experience includes healthcare facilities, mixed-use, multifamily complexes, detention projects, sports and entertainment venues, and educational and civic facilties. Bernards prioritizes safety, quality, sustainability, diversity, and community involvement in all of its projects.
The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles and has five regional offices throughout California with more than 340 professionals. Under Cavecche’s leadership, the firm has been recognized countless times by organizations, including Engineering News-Record (ENR), AIA Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Business Council, The Los Angeles Business Journal, Cal-OSHA, Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), the City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Located in the historic district of Los Angeles, this project was completed for Trademark DTLA, a new mixed-use multifamily development. This seven-story Type III complex consists of 313 residential units, nearly 8,000, and a four-level above and below-grade parking structure. The project includes several high-end amenities, which include one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments that were designed with clean lines and modern finishes featuring natural materials, abundant light, and open living spaces.
W.E. O’Neil Construction
909 N. Pacific Coast Hwy #400, El Segundo, CA 90245
Established in 1925, W.E. O’Neil is an award-winning and nationally ranked construction firm that has completed projects all across the United States. It operates out of several locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas. The firm is known for its use of the best technology, including Building Information Modeling, and it takes a transparent approach to preconstruction. It also takes great pride in its national rankings. Most recently, it was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal as the 19th leading general contractor in the area. One notable project is the firm’s work for the Howard Hughes Center Apartments.
Located in Los Angeles, this project was completed in collaboration with the professionals at TCA Architects. It spans over 581,380 square feet and consists of 545 apartments and over 840 parking spaces. The project stands next to fully operational, undisturbed, commercial and retail establishments such as Howard Hughes Promenade.
Webcor
550 South Hope St. Suite #2100 Los Angeles, CA 90071
Founded in 1971, Webcor is known for its innovative approach, cutting-edge Building Information Modeling, and virtual building techniques. It offers a full range of services, including subcontractor engagement and budgeting assistance, as well as 24-hour responses and an annual building inspection program as part of its warranty. As a LEED-certified firm, Webcor also incorporates green building practices in its projects to ensure the sustainability and high efficiency of its buildings. As a result, the firm has worked on some important and iconic projects over the years. In 2002, it was tasked with working on Lucas Digital Arts, which serves as the headquarters of Lucasfilm and beloved Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas.
The showcased project was completed for Greenland USA and holds a Silver LEED Certification. It spans nearly a million square feet and holds 308 condominium units and 350 hospitality units. It serves as part of the Metropolis Los Angeles Phase I and II development, both constructed by Webcor. The hotel design is inspired by the 1920s Prohibition era.
Suffolk
550 South Hope Street, Suite #700, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Suffolk is headquartered in Boston and operates out of several offices across Massachusetts, California, New York, Texas, and Florida. Suffolk is a national enterprise that invests, innovates, and builds, providing value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment and innovation research/development.
The firm is led by its Chairman and CEO, John Fish. In 2020, he was named by Boston Magazine among its “100 Most Influential People in Boston.” He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology. Showcased below is one of the firm’s best multi-family projects, called ‘Park 5th.’
Spanning over 460,000 square feet, the ‘Park 5th’ project is a 24-story, high-rise luxury building that features 347 high-end apartment units, 120 parking stalls, and ground-floor retail. Inside, some of its impressive amenities also include a rooftop deck featuring panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, an infinity-edge pool, and a clubhouse with a bar. The firm’s team also worked on a state-of-the-art gym and yoga studio.
Charles Pankow Builders, Ltd.
199 S. Los Robles Avenue, Suite #300, Pasadena, CA 91101
Pankow Builders offers a complete and comprehensive range of commercial contracting services. With over five decades of industry experience, the company has worked on over a thousand successful projects and is respected in the industry for its excellent civic, aviation, education, health care, and hospitality projects. The firm’s portfolio also includes various office, parking, public, retail, and residential projects. The firm’s team makes use of only the best and latest techniques, lean tools, and methodologies. Since its establishment, the firm has been the recipient of a multitude of awards and distinctions. One of its most recent was the 2018 San Francisco Collaborative Partnering Award.
The featured project was distinguished with a LEED Gold Certification and an Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Concrete Construction from the ACI Southern California Chapter in 2014. Located in Los Angeles, this project spans 20 stories with four levels of parking. The ground level is occupied by a restaurant, cafe, main lobby, technology center, office space, and a fitness center.
KPRS Construction Services, Inc.
444 South Flower Street, Suite #3860, Los Angeles, CA 90071
KPRS Construction operates out of its headquarters in Los Angeles and offers its clients a full range of general contracting services. Since its start, it has cultivated excellent relationships with some of the area’s most noteworthy brands, including Amazon, FedEx, Coca-Cola, and LG. The firm credits its success to the experience of its team of hands-on professionals. At the firm’s helm is its president and one of its founding partners, Joel H. Stensby. Joel has experience at all levels of the organization and has worked with major nationwide firms.
The showcased project features the firm’s work for The Beacon. Located in Long Beach, this project is a three-building development and serves as an affordable multifamily residential complex. Each structure provides various housing options for seniors and veterans. It was built in partnership with Century Housing and The Architects Collective.
Shangri-La Construction
660 S Figueroa St. Suite #1888, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Shangri-La Construction extends its services throughout Southern California and provides a complete range of general contracting services. It focuses on multifamily residential and hotel hospitality projects and assists its clients throughout the entire process. This encompasses everything from pre-construction and construction management to finishing touches. The firm also offers interested clients excellent design-build packages for those hoping to keep everything in-house. Clients may also expect to receive the firm’s services at highly competitive rates.
One notable project is the firm’s work for 1133 Hope, South Park’s latest mixed-use tower. It sits on a .65-acre property and showcases a 330-foot, contemporary glass-clad 30-level tower with 208 luxury condominiums. Inside, there are studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom penthouse apartments.
Sinanian Development, Inc.
18980 Ventura Boulevard, Suite #200, Tarzana, CA 91356
Sinanian Development operates out of its office in Tarzana that has been in business since 1983. It is led by its founders and leaders, the Sinanian brothers, who are trailblazers in the residential and commercial construction industry. Its portfolio showcases a stellar range of impressive multi-dwelling, commercial, educational, health and public facilities as well as tenant improvement, renovation and restoration of structures. One notable project is one of the firm’s most impressive projects.
Located in Los Angeles, this photo depicts the firm’s work on the Onyx East Apartments, within the highly urbanized community of South Park. The project is composed of a mix of entertainment, commercial and multi-family residential land uses. Its residential side can be accessed through the north side of the building which leads into a residential elevator lobby and lounge.
Alpha Construction Co. Inc.
14601 Aetna St. Van Nuys, CA 91411
Founded in 1965, Alpha Construction offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of general contracting services. It is known for working in and around Southern California, and since its inception, has garnered a solid reputation for its commercial and public construction projects. The company offers its services at highly competitive prices and is regarded for its excellent pre-consulting and project management work. It is the recipient of many accolades from organizations like the AIA and the Los Angeles Business Council. The firm has also received a multitude of Gold Nugget Awards.
The featured project shows the firm’s work for Crown Apartments. Located in West Hollywood, it features an excellent modern design. Inside, its units showcase clean lines and minimalist finishes. It also opted for wood details and natural lighting.
McCormick Construction
2507 Empire Ave., Burbank, CA 91504
Founded in 1914, McCormick Construction operates out of its office in Burbank and offers its clients a diverse array of commercial renovation and construction services. It assists its clients through every step of the process, from preconstruction and general contracting to finish and construction management. The firm is also known for its great design-build approach, which allows it to keep the entire process in-house. Outside of the company’s office work, its portfolio includes several educational, museum, health care, hospitality, and residential projects. The company has also taken on various creative spaces and religious projects.
Located in Burbank, this project was designed and constructed for Cusumano Real Estate. For this, the firm’s team worked in close collaboration with the professionals at Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh. It is the first LEED-certified green residential building in the city of Burbank. The project entails 241 multifamily units over five stories on 2two subterranean parking levels. There is also a Whole Foods Market on the ground floor.
Dreyfuss Construction
8616 La Tijera Blvd. Suite #212, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Dreyfuss Construction is a boutique-sized general contracting firm that extends its services throughout Los Angeles. It prides itself on the stellar reputation it has curated for itself through the years and can take on projects regardless of size or scale. The firm’s portfolio depicts countless projects ranging from $2M to $20 in value. The firm maintains a highly hands-on approach and collaborates closely with each of its clients’ chosen architects and subcontractors.
Constructed for Dudley Apartments, this project is located in Pomona. It features timeless Spanish colonial elements and several impressive outdoor spaces. This project is only one out of the 5,000 units the firm has worked on since its establishment in 1993.
Pacific Empire Builders
500 North Brand Boulevard, Suite #2120, Glendale, CA 91203
Pacific Empire Builders works out of its office in Glendale and offers expertise in every aspect of the general contracting process. The firm adheres to the highest industry set standards and was established by Dan Mahoney and Jason Tolleson, the founders of Serrano Development Group, a full-service real estate investment and development firm. Under their leadership, the firm has become known for its excellent development work and cost-effective solutions. Jason first gained experience working on the technical aspects of the building by working as a structural engineer for a large corporation. Dan, on the other hand, started out as a project controls engineer for multiple environmental cleanup and civil infrastructure projects all across the United States.
The chosen photo showcases the firm’s work for the Otsego. It is a ground-up apartment development project located in the North Hollywood area of Los Angeles. For this, the firm’s team had to work on three levels of parking and 49 multi-family units.
American Multifamily, Inc.
12610 Westminster Ave. Suite A, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Founded in 1989, American Multifamily operates out of its office in Santa Ana and extends its services throughout its surrounding areas. The firm’s portfolio showcases an excellent range of mixed-use developments, apartments, office spaces, condominiums, and luxury apartments. It has also worked on countless assisted living facilities and student housing projects. The firm makes use of an excellent design-build process, which allows it to keep everything in-house. It is also regarded for its pre-value engineered architecture and construction management.
At the firm’s helm are Greg Parker, Jeff Chen, and Dai-Ly Kho. Parker holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from USC and was a licensed architect for over 30 years. He is also an emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects. Chen, on the other hand, serves as the company’s CEO and holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Lastly, Ko is the company’s vice president in charge of project management, budgeting, and purchasing. She has a degree in business administration from the University of California, Riverside.
The Ketter Group, LLC.
5805 Sepulveda Blvd. Suite #510, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91411
With nearly eight decades of combined industry experience, The Ketter Group extends its services throughout Sherman Oaks and the areas surrounding it. The firm offers technical expertise and can deliver projects regardless of size or scale. Its team assists its clients throughout the entire process, from conception all the way through completion and city planning. The firm is a full-service design, construction, and development firm that specializes in multifamily, residential, and mixed-use projects. It has worked in some of Los Angeles’ best neighborhoods.
The chosen project best embodies the firm’s talent and expertise. Completed in 2016, this project is located in Korea Town. It features an excellent modern aesthetic coupled with clean finishes and minimalist interiors.
Westside Contractors, Inc.
10474 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite #402, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Westside Contractors specializes in the preconstruction and construction of residential, mixed-use, and multifamily projects all across Southern California. It operates out of its office in Los Angeles and makes use of a client-centric approach. The firm’s services encompass design team assembly, value engineering, and design management. Its team also oversees permit processing, subcontractor selection, and safety management. One notable project was completed for The Rhys in Los Angeles.
Completed in 2018, this project spans over 69 units in total. These can be broken down into seven studios, 42 one-bedroom and bathers, and 12 two-bedroom and two baths, and three-bedroom and two baths units. It cost around $22M and also showcases a great stucco exterior.
