Santa Monica Construction Company

If you are looking for an exceptional Santa Monica construction company, Elcano Construction is known for residential projects across Los Angeles and surrounding areas in Southern California. Our team builds and transforms custom homes, major renovations, additions, and ADUs, and we maintain a structured process and attentive project management from start to finish.


Whether you’re planning a full home renovation near Ocean Avenue, an addition on a compact lot, or a new coastal build that demands precision and permitting expertise, we keep your project running clearly, efficiently, and beautifully.

Santa Monica home construction

Building in Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica, a city on the Westside of Los Angeles County, combines iconic coastal living with refined urban design. Known for its beachside neighborhoods, architectural variety, and sustainability standards, the city’s 8.3 square miles include three miles of oceanfront. Projects here often require attention to coastal development guidelines, smart zoning navigation, and durable materials suited to the marine environment, areas where our team has experience.

Hollywood Hills Lifestyle & Highlights

Hollywood Hills features some well-known landmarks, such as:


  • Hollywood Bowl — An iconic outdoor amphitheater nestled in the Hills, open since 1922 and home to world-class concerts and events. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023
  • Yamashiro Historic District — A Japanese-inspired villa built in 1914, featuring ornate gardens and panoramic views, now operating as a beloved restaurant and cultural landmark
  • The Wisdom Tree — A lone pine that survived the 2007 Barham fire near the Hollywood Sign. It has become a symbol of resilience and a popular hiking destination
  • Hollywood Cross — A 32-foot steel cross atop Cahuenga Peak, visible from the 101 freeway that has been designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument


The area has also long been home to celebrities, musicians, and artists, including:


  • Christina Aguilera — Singer and actress
  • Chris Evans — Actor
  • Emily Blunt — Actress
  • Kevin Costner — Actor and director
  • Tim Allen — Actor and comedian
  • Anna Kendrick — Actress


Santa Monica construction company

Santa Monica City Highlights

Santa Monica’s well known destinations and neighborhoods help define the lifestyle many homeowners are building around:


  • Santa Monica Pier: Historic pier with an amusement park, restaurants, and ocean views at the end of Colorado Avenue
  • Third Street Promenade: Open air shopping and dining district in Downtown Santa Monica, popular for walking and nightlife
  • Santa Monica State Beach: Wide sandy beach along the coastline, with bike paths, volleyball courts, and access to parks
  • Palisades Park: Clifftop park overlooking the Pacific, known for walking paths, palm trees, and sunset views
  • Main Street Santa Monica: Lively corridor with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, serving nearby residential neighborhoods
  • Montana Avenue: Upscale shopping and dining street lined with local shops and eateries, surrounded by residential blocks

Architecture in Santa Monica

Santa Monica features a mix of historic and contemporary residential architecture, including:

Spanish Colonial Revival: Stucco walls, red tile roofs, arches, and courtyards found throughout Santa Monica, including in older neighborhoods

Craftsman bungalows: Low pitched roofs, deep porches, and exposed wood detailing on tree lined streets

Mid century modern: Clean lines, large windows, and open plans in select pockets and remodeled homes

Contemporary coastal homes: Glass, metal, and smooth stucco, often with large openings to patios and decks

Art Deco and Streamline Moderne: Curved forms and geometric detailing in select multifamily and commercial buildings

Traditional and transitional styles: Updated takes on classic forms, blending traditional massing with modern interiors

What Homeonwers Want in Santa Monica Homes


Santa Monica homes are often designed for an easy, indoor outdoor lifestyle while maintaining the character of their neighborhoods. We help clients create homes that reflect that balance through:



  • Open layouts and modernized kitchens designed for gathering
  • Reimagined primary suites and spa like bathrooms
  • Additions that integrate seamlessly with existing architecture
  • ADUs for guests, family, or flexible workspace
  • Durable exteriors and coastal detailing built for longevity

Our Santa Monica Construction Services

Elcano Construction provides a full range of residential services:

  • Custom Home Building

    From concept to completion, we bring your architect’s plans to life through disciplined project management and high quality execution

  • New Home Construction

    Ground up homes designed around your lifestyle, built with enduring craftsmanship

  • Home Renovations

    Whole home or targeted remodels that often include bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling and other home improvement updates that improve flow, functionality, and finishes

  • Home Additions

    Thoughtful expansions that enhance space and complement the home’s original design

  • ADUs

    Detached or conversion ADUs (accessory dwelling units) built as integral elements of your property

Santa Monica construction services

Permitting and Zoning Expertise

Santa Monica’s permitting processes can be complex, especially within the Coastal Zone. Our team handles zoning research, entitlement coordination, and all city submittals, moving your project efficiently toward “Ready to Issue” permit status. You get the benefit of our complete management without having to master the process yourself.

Why Homeowners Choose Elcano

Clients come to Elcano when they want a builder who focuses on design intent as much as construction quality, and of course, excellent customer service. We value

  • Design driven execution anchored in consistency and expert craftsmanship
  • A clear, phased build process with communication at every stage
  • In-house handling of permitting, zoning, and inspections
  • A dedicated project lead who ensures accountability from day one

Our Proven Process

Our Build Process guides projects through every milestone: pre design research, budgeting, plans and submittals, construction, and final closeout. The result is a transparent experience grounded in quality control, schedule reliability, and shared trust.

Tailored Process & Expert Project Management


We deliver a fully integrated build process—from design and planning to completion—with a dedicated project lead guiding you through every step. Our approach helps manage considerations like terrain, view protection, and fire-zone regulations, so your project proceeds smoothly.

Building Permit & Rebuild Navigation in Fire Zones


Because of the 2025 fire, rebuilding in the Palisades requires extra sensitivity to debris removal, hazard mitigation, and updated local permitting rules. Elcano is prepared to help you work with new executive orders, fire codes, and expedited workflows to move more efficiently through approvals.

Proven Reputation & Client Satisfaction


Reviews by our clients underscore our professionalism, clear communication, and craftsmanship, even in complex projects. See what some of our clients have to say about us.

“Stefano from Elcano construction assisted me with an extremely difficult renovation project at my apartment building. He and his team were extremely professional, and we passed all inspections on the first time around. His workmanship exceeded my expectations.”


— Mike W.

“Elcano Construction went above and beyond! Their professionalism and attention to detail were outstanding. They kept me informed throughout the project and delivered exceptional results on time and within budget. Highly recommend them!”


— Nathan M.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Stefano and his team and have been thoroughly impressed with their operation, start to finish, top to bottom. Excellent communication, fast response times, a wide range of skill sets and most importantly, top‑notch workmanship & a finished product. Just a real talent and a breath of fresh air, in an industry that is filled with mediocrity. Frankly a 5‑star rating does not do your operation proper justice! … Thank you, Stefano & Elcano for being truly exceptional! Keep up the great work!”


— Allen R Sotheby’s International Realty

“We have been working with Stefano and the Elcano team for over a year now and cannot say enough great things about our experience. They have been among the most professional and easy to work with construction companies, that we’ve ever worked with! This is even through the extremely stressful times that LA has recently encountered. I highly recommend Elcano Construction!”


— Michael S. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do you handle permitting and zoning for Santa Monica projects?

    Yes. As with our Los Angeles work, we manage zoning research, entitlement coordination, and agency submittals to move Santa Monica residential projects toward Ready to Issue permit status.

  • What types of residential projects do you build in Santa Monica?

    We focus on custom homes, new construction, major home renovations, home additions, and ADUs, core residential services showcased across our portfolio.

  • Can you work with my Santa Monica architect or interior designer?

    Yes. We frequently collaborate with architects, interior designers, and homeowners to deliver design driven residential construction.

  • How does your build process work for Santa Monica homes?

    We follow the same structured build process used throughout Los Angeles: early feasibility and budgeting, detailed zoning research, permit submittals and corrections, followed by construction, inspections, and closeout.

  • Are you experienced with coastal construction or Westside properties?

    Elcano’s work spans Westside communities and the broader Los Angeles area, with projects that account for site specific constraints, neighborhood character, and local regulations.

  • Do you build ADUs for Santa Monica homeowners?

    Yes. ADUs are a core service, and our team integrates them with the overall home, from design and planning through construction. 

Ready to Build in Santa Monica?

As your Santa Monica construction company, Elcano brings seasoned project managers and local know-how to every build. Whether you’re planning a new custom home, a thoughtful addition, or a whole-home property renovation, we coordinate the details, communicate clearly, and deliver craftsmanship you can feel every day.



Contact us for a consultation today and let’s bring your Santa Monica vision to life.