July 21, 2016

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130-room luxury Boutique Hotel Will Serve as an Iconic Gateway to the Balboa Pennisula

Newport Beach, Calif. – Irvine, California-based general contractor R.D. Olson Construction has begun construction on the 130-room, upscale boutique hotel, Lido House Hotel, at 3300 Newport Boulevard in Newport Beach, California, for Newport Beach, California-based developer R.D. Olson Development.

Located next to Lido Marina Village at the gateway to the Balboa Peninsula, Lido House Hotel will play an instrumental role in the renaissance of this integral center of Newport Beach’s rich history, striving to become an iconic landmark for the idyllic community. The property will be part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, an ensemble of independent hotels, selected for “quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details.”

With its hardie board siding, zinc-coated metal roof, aluminum-clad doors and windows, and wood-clad porte-cochère, Lido House Hotel’s Cape Cod-style exterior is designed to fit naturally into Newport Beach’s high-end, low-stress beach community. The hotel’s architecture by Irvine-based WATG will feature “Newport Nautical” details, fitting in with Lido Village and the surrounding communities.

The interior décor by Novato, California-based EDG will showcase the lifestyle, history and culture of Newport Beach. Designers promise to incorporate splashes of Newport Beach history, including pop art renderings of John Wayne and a cleverly repurposed City Hall shield. Guests will be exposed to Newport Beach’s sunny weather, even from within the hotel’s interior atrium, via two roof-top skylights. Lido House Hotel will also take advantage of local talent via custom design for the property’s five two-story Balboa Suites, which will be individually designed by locally based interior designers.

The four-story, 103,000-square-foot hotel is designed with a room mix that includes 124 standard guest rooms and six luxury suites with outdoor patios, including one presidential suite, two executive suites, and the five two-story Balboa Suites. All guest rooms will include wood flooring and wainscot detailing, with guest baths featuring Waterworks plumbing fixtures, tiled floors and showers, and quartz countertops.

The new hotel will offer a variety of amenities to accommodate the needs of guests, as well as local businesses and the community. The property will feature 4,000 square feet of meeting rooms, a ballroom and events lawn, a saltwater pool with television- and data-equipped private cabanas and a brick monument fireplace, a high-end fitness center, and Boost, the hotel’s luxury spa. Lido House Hotel’s exterior amenities will also include an exterior courtyard along Newport Boulevard, which will feature a beachy, plank-style walkway and ipe decking to surround the celebrated ficus trees, which previously distinguished the former Newport Beach City Hall property.

Lido House Hotel will offer an upscale dining experience through its full-service restaurant, the Mayor’s Table, serving up “Pacific pub-style” culinary offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Mayor’s Table’s ground floor location will be flanked by steel windows and doors and a full-brick exterior wall and include patio seating along Newport Boulevard with fire pits for guest to enjoy while dining and people watching. Top Side, the property’s ipe wood rooftop deck and lounge, will provide guests with fire-side seating options and ocean views.

“We are proud to be a part of a project that will offer such fun and meaningful assets to visiting guests and Newport Beach locals alike,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “Lido House Hotel is a special project because it will truly give visitors the feeling that they are living as Newport Beach locals, while delivering the comfort and relaxation of vacation to community residents who stop in for a meal or a spa treatment.”

Construction of Lido House Hotel is planned for completion in summer 2017.

“Our experience with other recent full service, community-minded properties, such as Paséa Hotel & Spa and Bicycle Hotel & Casino, will enable us to bring added value to the project throughout the construction process,” said John Ramirez, vice president of construction for R.D. Olson Construction. “Our team’s knowledge of how to seamlessly construct properties with a variety of amenities, functions and high-end finishes, as well as how to work with several development and design partners, will help us to produce a spectacular end result.”

The Irvine Spectrum Marriott will be Ideal for Work and Leisure. by Alan Dolrich

R.D. Olson Construction has built a reputation for seeking out projects that will leave a legacy in their communities. “We continually look for projects that are above the norm,” President Bill Wilhelm says. “We are attracted to unique and challenging projects that create opportunities to forge direct relationships with their surrounding communities. This gives us the chance to not only deliver authentic, local experiences for guests, but to engage locals to enjoy properties’ public amenities, such as onsite restaurants, that are available to both guests and community members alike.”

Irvine Spectrum Marriott reflects R.D. Olson Construction’s focus on providing benefits to the community through its projects. Located in the heart of the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, Calif., the 15-story hotel will be the first, full-service hotel project in the city in more than a decade.

When finished in the spring of 2017, the hotel will feature a rooftop lounge and bar, high-end amenities and 217 rooms, including 50 suites with full kitchens, and 121 king beds and 100 double queen bed configurations. It also will have more than 13,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center with CrossFit-style equipment, and a pool and spa area complete with outdoor fire pits and fireplaces.

The hotel will be a good fit in the Irvine Spectrum community, Wilhelm says. “It’s a property that will be associated with a number of different venues in the area, serving the local office, residential and retail communities,” he says. “It will make a great splash and fill a void in the hospitality offerings in that area.”

The hotel’s amenities and meeting space allow ample opportunity for both work and leisure activities, Wilhelm adds, which is especially relevant given the property’s location nearby several major corporation headquarters and central Orange County housing and shopping. “The property allows for the flexibility to create environments that allow guests and visitors to accomplish their daily work and host corporate events. At the same time, if the family wants to tag along on a business trip, they can enjoy the best of what the full-service facility has to offer as well as nearby amenities,” he states.

Shared Values

R.D. Olson Construction’s sister company, R.D. Olson Development, is developing the project. This is not the duo’s first hotel for Marriott International in Irvine, Wilhelm says. “Irvine Spectrum Marriott is located adjacent to a Courtyard by Marriott that we constructed,” he says. “Those two properties will perform well for Marriott and provide business travelers and visitors with a variety of options.”

R.D. Olson Construction has much in common with Marriott, Wilhelm says. “Both companies really care about people and the end-user experience, and also continuously aim to be at the forefront of our respective industries,” he says.

On the Cutting-Edge

R.D. Olson Construction is building Irvine Spectrum Marriott with sustainability in mind, Wilhelm says. “With the new Title 24 credits in California emphasizing construction ‘greenness,’ more attention goes into every detail such as the electrical system and the way it monitors different circuitries,” he says. “By examining these back-end systems from the beginning, we can make sure that the property performs in a more environmentally-friendly way without placing large burdens on the end-user.”

Such sustainable features will make Irvine Spectrum Marriott an upgrade from  other hotels, Wilhelm adds. “It is definitely a property that will be a cut above the rest,” he says. “It is a true reflection of how many hotel brands are continuously upgrading their brand on a yearly basis.”

The hotel’s design is still being developed despite the construction process being underway, something to which R.D. Olson Construction is accustomed. “We’re part of that frontier team, out there working with ownership and Marriott on finishes, textures, colors and other elements that will give this property the ‘wow factor’ it needs to be cutting-edge and exceed guest expectations,” he says.

This design/build approach has become more common in the travel industry, as hotels want to stay in tune with what is popular with guests. “In about 80 percent of hotels that R.D. Olson builds, we’re in the trenches during the design phase, trying to make the concept the most successful it can be,” Wilhelm says.

In the case of Irvine Spectrum Marriott, the interior design will celebrate the rich history of the Irvine Ranch, in keeping with R.D. Olson’s dedication to paying homage to the communities in which its hotel projects are located.

Seeing Success

Based in Irvine, R.D. Olson Construction started operations in 1979 and provides general contracting and construction management services for clients nationally. Wilhelm, who joined the firm 22 years ago, credits its success to its people. “We’ve got the best in the industry, bar none,” he says.

Finding those people can sometimes be difficult, he admits. During the recession, “The construction industry lost a number of qualified craftsmen,” he recalls. “Some retired and some went into other industries.”

Like many, it was a challenge for R.D. Olson Construction to make up for the lost labor. However, the company “does a good job of managing that challenge,” he asserts. “We have strong relationships with our subcontractor community.”

He sees a strong future for the company, which has learned many lessons over the past 37 years. “We have always performed well during tough times,” Wilhelm says. “Because of our vast experience and industry knowledge, we’re able to anticipate downturns, and make adjustments accordingly.

“The company’s success and growth is attributed to the strong partnerships we have established with our customers,” he asserts. “There is a direct correlation between our customer’s growth and ours.”

LOS ANGELES—R.D. Olson Development has partnered with Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments has broken ground on a Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta. The developers are partnering with R.D. Olson sister company R.D. Olson Construction to build the 118-room hotel. Located near Santa Barbara in Silicon Beach South, Goleta has a robust business sector, driven by engineering, software and aerospace industries, according to the developer, making it a perfect site for a hotel development.

“Goleta is a hot bed for engineering, software and aerospace firms due to its quality of life, strategic central coast location adjacent to Santa Barbara, and close proximity to Vandenberg Air Force Base where we will see more private launches take place in the future,” Bob Olson, CEO and founder of R.D. Olson Development, tells GlobeSt.com. “In addition, the University of California Santa Barbara campus located nearby continues to attract world class students and professors and we feel it will continue to be a major driver for visitation to the area. We look to meet the strongest need in market with our new developments and felt upscale extended stay was the gap here.”

The three-story property sits on 3.8 acres on Robin Hill Road and South La Patera Lane in Goleta, and is 80,000 square feet. It features studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, some with full kitchens. This room mix will allow both short-term leisure guests and business travelers to utilize the property. Additionally, there will be 1,300 square feet of meeting space and an outdoor pool and spa, landscaped patio with a fire pit, large fitness center with CrossFit style equipment, a business center and a guest laundry.

The extended-stay property will target both business and leisure travelers in the market. “We have tried to perfect a timeless design for this hotel that pays homage to the rich culture and history of the area and we have incorporated a meditation and display garden to pay respect to the original inhabitants of this land the Chumash Indian Tribe,” adds Olson. “We want this hotel to age with grace and be a relevant and functional property 50 years from now.  This hotel will also have great amenities including a resort style backyard pool and spa, putting green, and a giant chessboard in the lawn for anyone to enjoy.”

R.D. Olson has broken ground on the project and aims to deliver it to the market in late 2017. This is a long-term investment for the firm. “We built it with the expectation that we will own it forever,” says Olson. “We spent a lot of time in the details trying to get everything just right and we are excited to see the community and visitors experience the hotel. One of the payoffs for all of the hard work getting a hotel developed is seeing customers use it. We can’t wait to open this beautiful hotel in the second half of 2017.”

Extended-Stay Property Offers Convenient Access to Area’s Growing High-Tech Industry and Plentiful Tourist Attractions

R.D. Olson Development in partnership with Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments, Inc. broke ground on its latest hotel development, the 118-room Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta at 6350 Hollister Avenue in Goleta, California. Executives from R.D. Olson Development, Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments, Inc., project general contractor R.D. Olson Construction, and Marriott International joined civic leaders including Goleta Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vallejo at the ceremonial groundbreaking.

The project marks R.D Olson’s second ground up hotel development in the Santa Barbara region and its eighth hotel project started or completed in the past year. In 2012, R.D. Olson completed the 115-room Courtyard Santa Barbara Goleta, the first Marriott property in the Goleta market.

Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta is located in the heart of thriving Goleta and Silicon Beach South, an increasingly popular location for high-tech industries and entrepreneurs to launch or relocate their businesses. Major innovative corporations that currently call the area home include Deckers Brands, FLIR Systems, Citrix Systems, Inc., AppFolio, Yardi Systems, Inc. and Raytheon. The area’s economic climate also benefits from its proximity to major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, as well as Santa Barbara Airport and the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), making the new hotel property an ideal location for extended-stay business travelers.

Leisure travelers will benefit from the property’s proximity to area tourist attractions, including the restaurants and boutiques of historic Old Town Goleta, the 35-acre Girsch Park located directly west of the property, the landmark Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The hotel also offers convenient access to the world-class golf courses at Sandpiper and Glen Annie, as well as Santa Barbara County’s more than 130 wineries and tasting rooms, and Butterfly, Goleta and Leadbetter beaches.

“As a result of continued growth and the large number of corporations that call the market home, there is an exceptional need for extended-stay product. We look forward to meeting this demand with our second Marriott brand hotel in the region,” said Bob Olson, founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Development. “The Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta will provide guests with convenient access to a variety of nearby attractions and businesses, all while creating a relaxing, home-like environment.”

Located on a 3.81-acre parcel on Hollister between Robin Hill Road and South La Patera Lane, the hotel is in the heart of downtown Goleta and is easily reached via U.S. Route 101. R.D. Olson Construction plans to complete construction during the second half of 2017.

Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta is designed around a theme that pays tribute to the local area, in this case the influence of the Mission architecture and its Spanish and Native American culture inspirations. The mix of bold, graphic elements with the intricacies of old Spanish décor will create an authentic yet contemporary and comfortable experience.

The three-story, 80,000-square-foot hotel is designed with a room mix that includes 99 studio king beds, six studio queen beds, seven one-bedroom suites, and six two-bedroom suites, complete with kitchens and upscale bathrooms. The room mix caters well to weekday, extended-stay business guests as well as weekend leisure and family travelers.

Guestroom suites offer separate living, sleeping and working areas, and are equipped with high-end kitchen appliances including a refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. Rooms also include amenities designed to create a relaxing, home-like atmosphere, such as spa-inspired bathrooms and ergonomic furniture.

The new Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta will offer 1,300 square feet of meeting space with an adjacent outdoor patio, accommodating the needs of guests, as well as local businesses. Public area amenities include an outdoor pool and spa, landscaped patio with a fire pit, large fitness center with CrossFit style equipment, complimentary high-speed Internet access throughout the property, a business center equipped with the latest technology solutions, and guest laundry. The property also features a 24/7 Market, which provides easy access to grab-and-go snacks and other on-the-go necessities.

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue our involvement in enhancing Goleta and the surrounding Santa Barbara communities through the construction of this property,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “The Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta will provide the market with a much-needed extended stay option for guests looking to conduct business or experience the variety of attractions and amenities that the coastal community has to offer.”

Residence Inn by Marriott Goleta was designed by Westwood, California-based Gene Fong Associates. SANDdesign will perform interior architecture and design for the hotel.

R.D. Olson Construction inches their way up another spot this year to #11 on the Orange County Top Commercial Construction Companies list, but we definitely have the #1 team! We are thoroughly excited that our company continues to grow and look forward to another year of success.

R.D. Olson Builds First Orange County Purpose Built Lifestyle Hotel

R.D. Olson Construction announces the completion of its latest hotel project, Paséa Hotel & Spa in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach, California, and directly across from the famous Huntington Beach Pier, which draws more than 16 million visitors annually. The eight-story,250-room hotel co-developed by Newport Beach, California-based R.D. Olson Development and Irvine, California-based Pacific Hospitality Group, incorporates a variety of unique design details and amenities that will add elegance to the iconic Southern California surf town. Over the course of the project, R.D. Olson Construction used its extensive hospitality experience to seamlessly integrate design and construction elements, creating a cohesive, beach-inspired feel throughout the property.

R.D. Olson Construction celebrated the property’s completion at a grand opening ceremony on June 10, 2016. The firm was joined by executives from R.D. Olson Development and Pacific Hospitality Group and civic leaders including Huntington Beach Mayor Jim Katapodis, Huntington Beach council members Barbara Delgleize and Jill Hardy, and Huntington Beach City Manager Fred Wilson.

“This project not only required our construction expertise, but also relied heavily on our ability to successfully integrate multiple, high-end design elements seamlessly,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “We’re excited to officially open the property to the public so that they can experience the end product and benefit from the hard work and dedication that the team put into this exceptional project.”

The 218,000-square-foot hotel, which is integrated with the new 191,000-square-foot Pacific City retail and entertainment center, was designed by world renowned, Irvine, California-based architect WATG. The property’s restaurant design was executed by Costa Mesa, California-based Hatch Design Group, with common area and spa design by Santa Monica, California-based Kay Lang + Associates.

The hotel includes a contemporary tower with king rooms, double queen rooms, and numerous one- and two-bedroom suites, all with ocean views and balconies. The property features a unique, top-of-the-line Balinese-inspired spa, which includes both indoor and outdoor treatment areas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a wood deck-wrapped pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean complete with water and fire features and pool-side catering. The building sits on a concrete podium with two stories of underground parking for 455 cars and valet concierge lounge.

With more than 25,000 square feet of event space, including an 8,700-square-foot ballroom and 12,000-square-foot event lawn with intoxicating ocean views down the coast and out to Catalina Island, the property provides guests and community members the perfect spot to host a California-inspired celebration. A social room with a built-in bar and advanced A/V and technology capabilities allows visitors to personalize their event space, and 11 fire pits facing the ocean enable all guests to experience a glamorous version of an old-fashioned bonfire, just steps from the Pacific shore.

Guests at Paséa Hotel & Spa are greeted with custom entertainment from the moment they arrive. Hotel visitors who enter from the famed Pacific Coast Highway are met with an awe-inspiring display of 40 hours of digital video art, which plays on a six-story 20-foot by 50-foot LED screen mounted above the hotel’s entrance. Once inside, the entertainment continues at Tanner’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which features a New York Meatpacking District pedestrian vibe with its combination of brick and glass accents with steel windows and doors – an atmosphere that pays homage to early Huntington Beach-style. Tanner’s offers “behind the scenes” looks into the exhibition kitchen through floor-to-ceiling, warehouse glass windows and Tanner’s Treehouse Lounge, a rooftop patio bar with a custom, larger-than-life tree feature, oversized basket- like light fixtures and sweeping views of the pool deck, the Pacific Ocean, Huntington Beach and stunning sunsets. Blend Café, a more casual option, serves fresh coffee, pastries, sandwiches and wine by the glass.

“Working on this property was both exciting and rewarding for our team. Not only is it a truly iconic piece of construction, but it also represented an opportunity for our entire team to bring our collective expertise to the table to create an excellent end product,” said Matt Grubb, project executive at R.D. Olson Construction. “We were able to pull from our breadth and depth of hospitality industry experience to bring strategic solutions to several aspects of the planning and building process. For example, R.D. Olson Construction coordinated with several specialized millworkers to both meet the varied needs of the high-end project and set the team up for success under a tight timeline.”

While Paséa Hotel & Spa adds an elegant worldly element to the landscape of Huntington Beach, California, with artistic stone and wood elements imported from as far as Bali, the hotel is equally dedicated to celebrating the roots of “Surf City” with wave-inspired features throughout the hotel, and local artwork including an installation of 1,400 flip flops created by Laguna Beach, California-based artist Jorg Dublin. Just two of the many wavelike structures placed throughout the property include a handmade plaster element in the lobby and an eight-story mosaic of 12-inch by 12-inch printed tiles on the hotel’s rear exterior.

R.D. Olson Construction guided each facet of the detailed project from concept drawing through shop drawing, fabrication, and installation. From mother of pearl and banana leaf wall coverings in the spa to solid Ipe wood planking on the pool deck, the hotel includes more than 200 design finishes.

The hotel features custom construction features required direction and coordination with artists and specialists to carry out conceptual sketches onsite. The artistic bottle display for liquor storage at Tanner’s was hand built and hand welded onsite under R.D. Olson Construction’s direction. The general contractor’s most dramatic undertaking of the project was the realization of the undulating wave-like curved balconies along the walls on the outside of the property that the developers’ envisioned for Paséa Hotel & Spa. This feature, which mimics the movement of the ocean, has been nicknamed “The Wave.”

“It is professionally rewarding for our group to create such an incredible lifestyle hotel for Orange County in Huntington Beach for world travelers to enjoy,” said Bob Olson, president and CEO at R.D. Olson Development. “We are seeing early results of excellent guest satisfaction and that’s the number one item on our score card.”

Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG) will manage the property as a part of its Meritage Collection. PHG owns and manages a portfolio of hotel properties throughout California, including Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, and Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in San Diego, among others.

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R.D. Olson Breaks Ground at Irvine Spectrum Marriott!

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R.D. Olson Tops Out at Palm Desert Timeshare

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271-room Hotel Will Be First Full-Service Hotel Built in Irvine in Last Decade

Irvine, Calif. – R.D. Olson broke ground today on its latest hotel development, the 271-room, full-service Irvine Spectrum Marriott at 7905 Gateway in Irvine, California. Executives from R.D. Olson Development, Irvine Company, Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments, Inc., project general contractor R.D. Olson Construction, project architect WATG, and Marriott International joined civic leaders including Irvine Mayor Steven Choi at the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Located next to the Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum, which opened in 2014 and was developed by R.D. Olson in partnership with Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments, Inc., Irvine Spectrum Marriott represents the first ground-up construction project in the nation featuring Marriott’s new Millennial-focused design elements. R.D. Olson Construction plans to complete construction in summer of 2017.

“We are proud to launch the first full-service hotel project in Irvine in more than a decade,” said Bob Olson, founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Development. “With its rooftop lounge and bar, high-end amenities, and Marriott’s excellent service, Irvine Spectrum Marriott will provide a unique hotel experience that has not yet been offered in Irvine.”

As is customary for all R.D. Olson Development hotels, Irvine Spectrum Marriott is designed around a theme that pays tribute to the local area, in this case the iconic Irvine Ranch. The interior design celebrates the rich history of the Irvine Ranch through design elements, as well as food and beverage selections. The hotel’s full-service restaurant will feature locally-sourced options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The 15-story, 206,332-square-foot hotel is designed with a room mix that includes 50 suites with full kitchens, 121 king beds, and 100 double queen bed configurations. The room mix caters equally well to weekday business guests and weekend leisure and group travelers. Guest rooms will offer views of Saddleback Mountain, Laguna Canyon or Spectrum Center.

Guest rooms include technology features at the forefront of hotel design, including WiFi, big screen TVs with full connectivity and the ability to stream Netflix and Hulu without charge, convenience plugs, iPhone/iPod docking stations and more.

The new Irvine Spectrum Marriott will offer a variety of event and pre-function spaces to accommodate the needs of guests, as well as local businesses. A large rooftop lounge, featuring a full-service bar, offers unobstructed views of the Irvine Spectrum. The hotel will also feature more than 13,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, including a large event lawn. Both the rooftop lounge and event lawn are well-suited for corporate events, parties and weddings.

R.D. Olson Development began developing hotels in 1997 and has been especially active over the past five years, including the development of the Renaissance Clubsport, a full-service hotel in Aliso Viejo, California. Additional recent completions at Marriott brand hotels include Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Irvine, Oceanside and Goleta, California, and Maui, Hawaii; Residence Inn by Marriott in San Juan Capistrano, California; and Residence Inn by Marriott and Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in Tustin, California. In December 2015, R.D. Olson Development received Marriott International’s most prestigious award, the Partnership Circle Award, to recognize the organization’s support of Marriott hotel brands and dedication to embodying the spirit of the company’s philosophy of providing outstanding customer service.

In a co-development with Pacific Hospitality Group, R.D. Olson Development is scheduled to complete Paséa Hotel & Spa, a 250-room upscale boutique hotel in Huntington Beach, California, at the master-planned Pacific City project in 2016. In spring of 2016 R.D. Olson Development is scheduled to complete the 200-room Residence Inn by Marriott in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, and the 144-room Residence Inn by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena, California.

R.D. Olson Development recently broke ground on the 204-room Residence Inn by Marriott Silicon Valley in San Carlos, California. R.D. Olson Development and R.D. Olson Construction are planning to break ground on several other hospitality projects throughout California and Hawaii in Q1 2016, including the 130-room Lido House Hotel resort in Newport Beach, California, and the 118-room Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara/Goleta in Goleta, California.

In addition to R. D. Olson Construction’s work with R.D. Olson Development, the Irvine-based general contractor recently completed work on the full-service Bicycle Hotel & Casino in the heart Bell Gardens, California. The firm is currently under construction on additional regional hospitality projects including the 94-room Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale, California; the 161-room Homewood Suites in Irvine, California; and the 174-room Country Inn & Suites by Carlson in Anaheim, California.

R.D. Olson Construction was proud to help out Merlin’s Magic Wand Foundation and be a part of this beautifully LEGO^®-themed renovation at Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA. We know this will help make many children’s stays a little brighter on their road to recovery. Read more on this story here.

R.D. Olson Construction took part in the inaugural WipeOut Run on Nov. 7th which took place at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA. This 5K run challenged runners in all types of inflatable obstacles and a percentage of the proceeds went to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  

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Sept 5th – R.D. Olson Construction along with WATG Architects took part in the CANstruction competition which pitted design and construction firms against each other to build the best sculpture made entirely of canned foods. All the canned foods are then donated to the OC Food Bank after the sculptures remain on display from Sept 5th – Sept 26th at the South Coast Plaza and Artic locations. R.D. Olson has a prime spot outside of the Macy’s store at South Coast Plaza and hopes to win top honors. R.D. Olson Construction also wants to thank all of our subcontractors who generously donated funds to acquiring cans and monetary donations directly to the OC Food Bank…together we can help our community fight hunger!

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  You can also view a time-lapse of the entire structure being built here.

Los Angeles, CA—Hotel developers are beginning to look to the location and community for design inspiration. The recently opened Marriott SpringHill Suites in Burbank is the perfect example. Developed by R.D. Olson Development and built R.D. Olson Construction, the hotel design and amenities are informed by Burbank’s rich entertainment history—and in some cases, atypical for the hotel brand. Infusing pieces of the community into the hotel helps attract guests and locals alike. To find out more about this trend and how the team approached the design of this property, we sat down with R.D. Olson Development VP of asset management Jonathon Vopinek, R.D. Olson Construction president Bill Wilhelm and R.D. Olson’s VP of interior design Sue Ellen Langford.

GlobeSt.com: What are hotel guests looking for in their common amenities that guests weren’t demanding 5 years ago?

Bill Wilhelm: Guests are looking for a variety of things from each property that they encounter. Specifically, flexibility, experience, visibility and communal openness are traits that speak to hotel guests today. All of these qualities tie into the end-users’ desire to have the property serve them in all aspects of their lifestyles.

Jonathon Vopinek: Five years ago, streaming a Netflix account through a hotel television wouldn’t have crossed anyone’s mind. Now, it is something that will become an industry standard in the near future. We are proud to offer this type of service in the SpringHill Suites, as we believe it is important to keep up on the latest technology and deliver it to our guests.

Lobbies with creative spaces are becoming more and more popular. People want to gather in hotels’ common areas, instead of just coming down to the lobby to get a cup of coffee and then heading back up to their rooms. Additionally, incorporating local art into the interior design of a hotel has become popular. Over the last few years people have made an effort to support local businesses, so to see a hotel doing the same creates a genuine experience for the guests.

GlobeSt.com: How did the surrounding market affect the design of the property?

Wilhelm: Because the property is located in Burbank, the design explored the filming industry. As a result of the revitalization and stimulation that has taken place in the area, the hotel needed to have a fresh, hip approach that would speak to millennials.”

Vopinek: In the 1920s, the motion picture business moved to Burbank, and today Burbank is home to hundreds of media and entertainment companies. The interior of the hotel pays homage to the entertainment and media industries that have shaped the city. The bar and lobby areas honor classic Hollywood icons, and are complete with images of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Bob Hope. Today, approximately 100,000 people work in Burbank every day. It is a business destination as well as a tourist destination. We needed a design that would attract the business traveler, so we went for a classic, clean, and modern approach with a public area that is spacious, eye catching, and inviting.  For the tourists and families visiting the area, we incorporated a fun outdoor space into our design, complete with a pool, outdoor BBQs, and an extra-large outdoor chess set.” – Jonathon Vopinek, vice president, asset management, R.D. Olson Development

GlobeSt.com: What was your inspiration for the design of the hotel?

Sue Ellen Langford: The interior design conveys a media centric concept that has a custom boutique feeling that taps into the nostalgic glamorous lifestyle of the TV and Movie insiders, while maintaining the reliability of a Marriott select service brand. The simple elegance of the finishes within a fresh contemporary context creates a perceived elevated value that still feels comfortable and approachable.

R.D. Olson Construction built its first Habitat for Humanity home on August 28th, 2015 on McFadden Avenue in Santa Ana, CA. R.D. Olson was drawn to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County as a natural fit in supporting our own community in a project that was so relevant to our expertise.

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Bill Wilhelm was recently interviewed by Globe St. on his views on how amenities are playing a role in construction and development.

IRVINE, CA—Developers must approach each property creatively to generate the best customer experience, including combining property types or offering unexpected amenities, R.D. Olson Construction’s president Bill Wilhelm tells GlobeSt.com. We sat down with Wilhelm for an exclusive interview about how user expectations about amenities are shifting planners’ and developers’ approach to their properties.

GlobeSt.com: There is a growing expectation for amenities that were traditionally only accessible at certain property types to be “always available” to tenants wherever they go. How do you see this trend playing out in the market?

Wilhelm: Today’s customers expect more out of their properties than in the past. They want to combine where they live, work and play, accessing all their “lifestyle options,” whether they are at home, at the office, on vacation or at the mall. Developers must now take a step back and look to define user demographics and their specific needs before deciding what to develop in a certain market and, more specifically, at a given site. In the California market, land availability is becoming scarce, requiring developers to approach each property creatively to generate the best customer experience. Developers can achieve this goal by “combining” property types or offering unexpected amenities in a more traditional setting.

GlobeSt.com: Your current work at SmartStop’s Ladera Sports Center—which combines storage and recreation—demonstrates the fusing of property types to meet the growing pressures to provide more. How is this shift creating opportunities for developers?

Wilhelm: Ladera Sports Center is a great example of what is transpiring in many communities in California. One of our clients, Lutzky Associates Development, identified a need for both storage and sports facilities in the Ladera Ranch community for its client SmartStop and engaged us to construct a space that would meet those needs. The project that is currently underway combines storage facilities, an athletic complex and a new corporate office for SmartStop, making the most of the property and meeting the needs of this geographic area.

Across geographies, Master planners are looking for ways to combine property types or introduce new amenities to make the property “work harder” for its end users. For example, the Irvine Spectrum area has introduced medical-office buildings and senior-living options to complement the area’s existing office and retail offerings. By introducing these types of properties into amenity-rich properties, it creates convenience for all end users. Now, they can visit their doctor, run a few errands and see a movie all in one trip. These choices are not accidental. The value of a given property is greatly affected by its direct adjacencies, and developers and master planners are looking for ways to make all of their investments more valuable, all while creating a better experience for the end user.

GlobeSt.com: What are the construction considerations for this shift?

Wilhelm: For the Ladera Sports Center project, our goal was to combine three types of user needs—storage, recreation and office—and that end goal directed our construction efforts. High-end property types, such as recreation facilities and offices, require different construction than industrial properties, such as storage units. In a project that combines these property types, it is important to fully understand the developer’s vision and the users’ needs to create a cohesive look and feel through the interior and exterior skins, while mitigating costs. In cases where multiple property types are combined, it is imperative for a general contractor to be involved early in the process to contribute solutions that maximize property value and customer satisfaction, while maintaining the designers’ and developers’ original intent for the project.

GlobeSt.com: What does the future look like for this “providing more” trend?

Wilhelm: We will see an increased demand for multi-use property types, from both a convenience and a community standpoint. In efforts to grow communities, particularly in areas like Southern California, multi-purpose properties will serve specific neighborhood needs and increase engagement. With the cost of land and construction rising, developers need to be as creative as possible in their property development and planning to reach a wider range of users.

221-Room Hotel Provides Additional Capacity for Disneyland Resort during 60^th Anniversary Celebrations

Anaheim, Calif. – August 13, 2015 – R.D. Olson Construction today completed construction on the six-story, 221-room Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance hotel in Anaheim, California, adding to the growing list of completed projects for the Irvine-based general contractor. The property will provide additional family-friendly capacity as the Disneyland theme park celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year.

This project marks R.D. Olson Construction’s second Marriott brand hotel completion this summer. The general contractor recently completed the 170-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel in Burbank, California.

“This project allowed us to utilize our experience across Marriott properties, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank, as well as our applicable work building hotels with innovative, family-focused features such as LEGOLAND® Hotel in Carlsbad,” said Bill Wilhelm, president for R.D. Olson Construction.

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance hotel is located at 1420 South Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, and is within walking distance to the Disneyland theme park.

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance hotel showcases subtle Spanish architecture with family-friendly features such as bunk beds, spacious five-fixture bathrooms in each guest room, a 22,000-square-foot surfing themed water recreation park with slides, water cannons and tipping buckets, and 50,000 square feet of subterranean parking. The property also offers Alpine-inspired views of Disneyland’s Matterhorn ride, as well as a pool and spa, outside dining space, lounge, gift shop and meeting space.

The property includes Courtyard by Marriott’s latest high-tech, high-style Gen Next design features, including welcome pedestals that replace the traditional front desk, an interactive GoBoard™ to display news, weather, traffic, and destination information, and semi-enclosed Media Pods with individually controlled flat-panel TVs that offer a place to work, meet or relax.

R. D. Olson Construction is currently under construction on nearly 1,000 rooms in Southern California. Other regional hospitality projects include the 144-room Residence Inn by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena, California, the 94-room Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale, California, the 161-room Homewood Suites in Irvine, California, the 174-room Country Inn & Suites by Carlson in Anaheim, California, the 100-room luxury Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens, California, and the 250-room, beach-inspired Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, California, situated across from the famous Huntington Beach Pier.

R.D. Olson Tops Out in Huntington Beach!

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R.D. Olson Construction Tops Out in Bell Gardens! 

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July 13, 2015

Irvine, CA – Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all the R.D. Olson Construction team, we were able to get on the ENR (Engineering News-Record) Top 400 Contractors List in the United States. This award is a great measure of the success R.D. Olson has seen in the last few years and exemplifies the organization’s continuous pursuit of excellence and top notch service to the hospitality, restaurant, multi-family, and entertainment sectors. We debut on the chart at #374 but with steadfast dedication, R.D. Olson hopes to continue to climb the charts in 2016.
You can view the complete list of contractors here.

R.D. Olson was just announced among the Top Commercial Construction Companies in Orange County, CA. Up one spot from last year’s #13, R.D. Olson is proud of its projects in the last year. Amazing completions of the Courtyard San Jose, Courtyard Irvine Spectrum, Hotel Marina Del Rey, 27 Seventy Five Apartments and Catherine’s Terrace at the Descanso Beach Club, just to name a few, have helped propel R.D. Olson one step closer to becoming one of the largest general contractor firms in Southern California. With new incredible projects in the works now, 2016 should be an even greater success.

NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN NORTH VILLAGE PUT FOCUS ON DESIGN By Roberto Luna, Jr., 6/4/15

The green and white metal building on Strathmore Avenue, surrounded by drought-resistant plants, stands out from other North Village apartments in the area.

Architects for these new apartments said they aimed to add to the variety of buildings in the North Village by using glass to make rooms look bigger and to make them more modern.

Students can now lease apartments at Studio 11024, Ophir Terrace and the new university apartment building on Glenrock Avenue.

Some students said they think the new buildings will be more comfortable than older ones, while others questioned their affordability and new design.

Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction, said the goal was to construct trendy and eco-friendly apartments in the new building, Studio 11024, which is located at 11024 Strathmore Drive.

Wilhelm said the company redesigned the building’s exterior as new materials were introduced. He said he thinks changing from plaster and bricks to metal and wood improves the structure’s ambience.

Studio 11024 is intended to be high-end, but the building was still designed with students in mind, Wilhelm added. Read more here.

“Studio 11024” to Serve the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Community

Westwood, CA – R.D. Olson Construction is announcing the completion of Studio 11024, a 31-unit, five-story, 42,690-square-foot multi-family property in Westwood, California. The Irvine, California-based general contractor was selected by Phoenix Property Company, a Texas-based real estate development and investment company. R.D. Olson broke ground on Studio 11024 in September 2013.

Located two blocks west of University of California Los Angeles’ (UCLA’s) campus and a few blocks north of Westwood Village, Studio 11024 was built to cater to students, faculty and the academic community. Set back from the sidewalk, the project provides an indoor/outdoor experience, open space for landscaping, and parking built underground to engage pedestrians at the street edge.

“Studio 11024’s site context opposite Richard Neutra’s historic landmark, Strathmore Apartments, had a major impact on the project,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “Our team was able to work with Lorcan O’ Herlihy Architectsto successfully navigate the challenges of a 40-foot cross slope and building next to a historic landmark. To enhance the pedestrian experience, the building’s massing steps up from two-to five-stories creating a cohesive adjacency to the historic site.”

Studio 11024’s exterior is marked by a fluted white metal skin with contemporary green accents, eco-friendly landscaping, and two, planted roof deck areas on the third and fifth floors. In addition to these urban garden settings, the building’s common area amenities include a fitness center with a yoga studio, a resident lounge, a business center, and secured, underground garage parking.

In addition to Studio 11024, R.D. Olson Construction is currently under construction on seven projects based in Los Angeles County including the Village at Calabasas in Calabasas; STK Restaurant at the W Los Angeles; the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale; Residence Inn by Marriott in Pasadena; SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank; Califa Office Building in Van Nuys; and Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens.

May 21, 2015 – R.D. Olson Takes Part in Inaugural Red Nose Day Campaign to Fight Childhood Poverty.

Avalon, CA – R.D. Olson Construction is announcing the completion of Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach Club, a two-story, 12,683-square-foot oceanfront event venue in Avalon, California. The Irvine, California-based general contractor was selected by owner Santa Catalina Island Company, Catalina Island’s longest-running operator and resort-service provider, to construct the new venue at Catalina Island’s Descanso Beach. R.D. Olson broke ground on Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach Club in November 2013.

“This construction project is situated directly north of the iconic Catalina Island Casino, at the island’s famous Descanso Beach and will continue the Santa Catalina Island Company’s mission to build on Avalon’s incredible legacy,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction.

Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach Club is built to accommodate corporate meetings, social events and weddings. Indoor seating within the clubhouse venue’s flexible ballroom space can be arranged for groups of 20 to 200 guests.

The clubhouse includes two private banquet facilities and a pre-function foyer, offering more than 7,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. The ballroom is situated on the second floor and has bi-folding glass doors that open onto the 1,970-square-foot canopied terrace to accommodate cocktail receptions and allow guests to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.

The clubhouse’s first level includes a 5,000-square-foot kitchen and service bar for guests at the Descanso Beach Club, and Descanso Fresh, a beachfront café serving coffee, baked goods, ice cream, smoothies and handmade pizza.

R.D. Olson Construction worked with the project’s design architect, Backen, Gillam & Kroeger, and architect of record, Melzer Deckert & Ruder Architects, to deliver a venue with a design that fits its Descanso Beach location and complements existing buildings along Avalon’s waterfront, including two additional R.D. Olson Construction projects: Avalon Grille and Pavilion Hotel. Design elements such as hickory wood flooring and a fossilized stone fireplace bring the structure’s ocean-inspired design into the interior of the space.

“The coordination of the shipment of equipment and materials, and the travel of our crews added some exciting complexities to this project,” said Wilhelm. “Our team did an excellent job of tapping experience from a multitude of prior projects to navigate constraints such as close proximity to the beach and the site’s tightly nestled location between the existing beachfront bar to the west and the steep hillside and roadways to the east and south. The adjacent Descanso Beach Club, boardwalk, exterior beach bar, and kayak rental booth also remained open throughout construction.”

SAN ONOFRE, CA– R. D. Olson Construction hosts an annual Surf Camp each September to bring its team together with industry partners to enjoy a day of surfing and networking.

The beach party is a true “board meeting,” complete with industry insiders and opportunities to show off wave-riding skills on the famous sets of San Onofre, or to learn new tips from professional surfing instructors.

This year more than 130 guests attended this networking event and beach party.  The day started with surfing and lessons, following by relaxing on the beach with shaved ice, live, Beach Boys-style music, refreshing drinks and a catered dinner.

The R.D. Olson Surf Camp provides an opportunity-and unconventional- venue to catch up with teammates and industry partners and to relax with friends and family.

Glendale, CA—R.D. Olson Construction has begun construction on Vista Investments’ Hampton Inn & Suites development in Downtown Glendale. Located at Colorado Street and Brand Blvd., the completed hotel will have 94 guestrooms. It is scheduled for completion in Spring 2016.

“The Hampton Inn & Suites Glendale project takes advantage of its environment to provide added value to the community at-large,” Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction, tells GlobeSt.com. “Its location in the heart of Glendale provides the hotel the opportunity to be a part of the revitalization of the downtown area.”

The property is adjacent to the Americana at Brand, which recently underwent a renovation of its own to upgrade the top floor apartments into penthouse suites. The exterior of the 57, 327-square-foot property will be made of brick, stucco, metal and glass, which will align with the design of the neighboring properties.

Togawa Smith Martin also designed the interior of the hotel. “Through the orientation of the second floor pool and viewing deck, the mountain vistas have been factored into the overall design,” says Wilhelm. “The property’s L-shape, traditionally a difficult property type, also contributes to the project’s complexity. Our experience with carefully orchestrated urban infill projects is making it possible for us to build inches from surrounding properties without disrupting tenants’ daily activities.” The hotel will also include a two-level parking structure.”

The hotel sector has experienced a healthy turn lately with many developments underway. This includes R.D. Olson Development’s recent purchase of a 23,000-square-foot Hollywood land site to build a hotel. The site currently has a Jack-in-the-Box on the site with a five-year lease. R.D. Olson will use that time to obtain entitlements and building permits.

Irvine, Calif.—R.D. Olson Construction has begun construction on a five-story, 94-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel on the corner of Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard in Glendale, Calif. The Irvine, Calif.-based general contractor was selected by Vista Investments to construct the hotel, which is slated for a spring 2016 completion.

“The construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites will continue the growth of Glendale’s vibrant downtown area,” said Tommy Marcum, project executive at R.D. Olson Construction. “The project joins developments like the adjacent, mixed-use Americana at Brand in continuing to transform Glendale’s downtown into a dynamic, regional destination with an increasing draw.”

The Hampton Inn & Suites’ common amenities will include an elevated outdoor pool deck with mountain views, lounge seating with an outdoor fireplace, a fitness center, and a lobby with an inviting entrance for guests and visitors along Colorado Street. The 57,327-square-foot hotel will have two levels of parking.

The hotel’s design elements feature brick, stucco, metal, and glass, complementing the urban design of neighboring properties. Togawa Smith Martin will serve as the architectural firm for the project.

In addition to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale, R.D. Olson Construction is currently under construction on eight Los Angeles-based projects including the Residence Inn by Marriott at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles; Residence Inn by Marriott in Pasadena; SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank; Strathmore multi-family project in Westwood; Califa Office Building in Van Nuys; Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens; The Village at Calabasas in Calabasas; and the renovation of the W Hotel in Los Angeles.

R.D. Olson Construction has begun construction on a five-story, 94-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel on the corner of Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard in Glendale, California. The Irvine, California-based general contractor was selected by Vista Investments, LLC to construct the hotel, which is slated for a Spring 2016 completion.  “The construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites will continue the growth of Glendale’s vibrant downtown area,” said Tommy Marcum, project executive at R.D. Olson Construction. “The project joins developments like the adjacent, mixed-use Americana at Brand in continuing to transform Glendale’s downtown into a dynamic, regional destination with an increasing draw.”

The Hampton Inn & Suites’ common amenities will include an elevated outdoor pool deck with mountain views, lounge seating with an outdoor fireplace, a fitness center and a lobby with an inviting entrance for guests and visitors along Colorado Street. The
57,327-square-foot hotel will have two levels of parking.

The hotel’s design elements feature brick, stucco, metal and glass, complementing the urban design of neighboring properties. Togawa Smith Martin will serve as the architectural firm for the project.

In addition to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale, R.D. Olson Construction is currently under construction on eight Los Angeles-based projects including the
Residence Inn by Marriott at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles; Residence Inn by Marriott in Pasadena; SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank; Strathmore multi-family project in Westwood; Califa Office Building in Van Nuys; Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens; The Village at Calabasas in Calabasas; and the renovation of the W Hotel in Los Angeles.

ROBERT D. OLSON

Age: 58

Job: President and founder of R.D. Olson Development in Irvine

Bio: Olson began working in construction at 8, pulling nails for his stepfather. By the time he finished high school, he was working two construction jobs. At 23, he took $35,000 in savings and founded R.D. Olson Construction. He earned an MBA at USC. In 1997, he founded R.D. Olson Development, which specializes in developing hotels, as well as office, retail, multifamily and recreational projects. Olson lives in Newport Beach.

Why he is influential: In 2014, R.D. Olson Construction broke ground on the first hotel in Old Town Pasadena in more than 15 years, the latest in a spate of new hotels for the company. The company has six projects underway in California, and the Olson name is on hotels near the 55 freeway in Tustin, on Pacific Coast Highway just south of Huntington Beach’s Main Street and in Burbank, among others. Since 2011, he has launched 15 hotels in California and Maui, ranging from 106 to 250 rooms. They include the Courtyard by Marriott at the Irvine Spectrum, the Pasea Hotel and Spa at Huntington Beach’s Pacific City, and a boutique hotel on the site of the former Newport Beach City Hall in Lido Village.

Biggest challenge: Empowering employees. “As entrepreneurs, we think we have our foot on the gas pedal when actually it’s on the brake.”

Work philosophy: “To always be respectful, to be fair, and to reward your people for individual and company successes.”

Thoughts on entrepreneurship: Always look at where the economy is going, not where it is or has been.

Inspiration: His wife and four children. “Being a dad and husband is the most rewarding experience I can think of.” 

Can’t do without: His iPhone camera. “I’m always taking photos for ideas for our hotels.”

What’s next: “Creating environments that connect people of all ages.”

Quote: “Orange County has such great opportunities with the climate and our beaches, our higher education resources, (and) smart land planning. … I am very bullish for the long-term commercial real estate here.”

More business influencers: Scott Samuelsen, Frank Talarico, Barry Arbuckle, Noel Massie, Teresa Mercado-Cota, Shaheen Sadeghi, Lucy Dunn, Ada Briceño, Tony Moiso, Bill Gross, Daniel Ivascyn, Andrea Young, Emile Haddad, Palmer Luckey, Donald Bren, David Pyott, Leonard Chan

View the full list: 100 people who influenced Orange County in 2014

The R.D. Olson Team Celebrates Topping Out!

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See full supplement:  11.10.14 OCBJ Supplement

– Jonathan Lanser

The industry fears staffing shortages, but unions think it’s all about pay cuts.

What exactly is a “shortage” of construction workers?

Is it as developers and contractors see it: the lack of qualified managers and craftsman to handle increasing demand for construction work?

Or is it how labor envisions it: shrinking numbers of workers willing to work for low wages with limited benefits?

Whether you’re deft with the economics or paperwork of the building business or skilled with its craftsmen’s tools, a healthy rebound in creating new real estate means you are in demand. And that shift has supposedly become a production headache for construction bosses.

Ponder the employment trends, as counted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• Nationwide, construction bosses employed 6.08 million in September, up 3.9 percent in a year and the highest total since May 2009.
• In California, construction employment is back at 697,100, up 164,400, or 31 percent, from post-recession lows. Roughly 1 in every 10 California jobs created in the recovery is in construction.
• And in Orange County, construction payrolls ballooned by 21,000, to a six-year high of 86,700, thanks to a hiring pace that’s triple the growth rate for all local employers.

The hiring spree may have tapped out the supply of available construction talent, whether it be for front-office work or positions in the field, according to a new study from the Associated General Contractors of America trade group. This analysis says construction bosses are scrambling to keep operations fully staffed – here and nationwide.

It’s more than a minor annoyance, the AGCA study’s key survey shows, as 36 percent of California construction bosses say they have a “hard time” filling both professional jobs and craft positions. That’s slightly more challenging than the situation nationwide, where 29 percent of executives surveyed expressed staffing headaches.

“The shortage of qualified construction workers is a real problem for the industry, which has shown impressive signs of positive growth,” says Bill Wilhelm, president of Orange County-based R.D. Olson Construction, a builder with 12 Southern California hotel projects either finishing or starting in 2014.

“Due to the slowdown of the past, numerous workers either left the industry or left the state of California and have not returned,” Wilhelm said. “Add on top of this, the next generation of construction workers is not sufficient to take the handoff from those craftsmen who have entered or are entering retirement.”

Construction unions believe that in many ways employers are to blame for their labor mismatch. The clout of California’s construction unions has been shrinking for decades. In 1985, 59 percent of state construction workers were unionized. By 2013, it was 16 percent.

Union leaders say tactics that construction bosses use to cut labor expenses make the industry a less desirable career choice and limit skilled-worker availability. Construction is a tough career, as the opportunity to work is volatile, with industrywide unemployment averaging 20 percent during the past four decades.

A study of California’s construction labor market by the Economic Roundtable, funded by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, details a continuing move away from what they dubbed “formal” building work to what they consider traditional employer-employee relationships.

A growing number of California builders – notably homebuilders – use independent companies to staff job sites. Those subcontractors employ – properly and not – growing ranks of “independent contractors.” Those independent workers typically don’t get many of the benefits and legal protections associated with regular jobs, with employer compensation savings running as high as 30 percent.

The union study claims there’s an even larger workplace – not so secret but often off the books – where salaries can be as little as half of the norm. The average California veteran construction worker had a $32,800 salary in 2012, the study said.

Roughly 140,000 California construction workers are in these so-called informal positions –roughly 1 in 6 of all construction staff members, according to the union study. These workers are either improperly categorized as independent contractors or in under-the-table payment situations.

By the union’s math, “informal” workers earned $1.2 billion less in compensation in 2011 vs. what they would have gotten in “formal” workplace arrangements. And it’s not simply salary. Missing dollars also would have helped fund several state worker-protection programs.

To union officials, simply meeting labor-law requirements could improve worker supply.
“There’s no real worker shortage,” says David Kersh, executive director of the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee.

CREATING SUPPLY

Where are the new construction workers coming from?

Consider Danny Dean. Two years ago, he was new to California, fresh out of the military and looking for work. Construction was in his blood; his dad was in the electrical trades back in New Jersey.

Dean started doing carpentry for a homebuilders’ subcontractor. After a year, he switched to the union side of the equation, as an apprentice carpenter working commercial construction. One of his first unionized jobs was helping build an office tower at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Dean, 24, who lives in Lake Forest, has enthusiastically embraced a noteworthy job-enhancement program by his union: skills training done though local community colleges at union-funded sites. Dean last week was training at a new, 107,000-square-foot facility off the I-5 in Buena Park.

“It’s crazy what I learn here,” says Dean, taking his fourth weeklong training session in a year. “I can actually take this stuff and put (it) in place back at work.”

This training is part of a union program, largely funded by a slice of the compensation paid by contractors, that brings novices up to journeyman status, and keeps veteran workers up-to-date with the latest skills, tools, materials, safety practices and regulations required for today’s construction projects.

The schooling facility, one of nine in Southern California for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, offers both classrooms and an indoor construction site for realistic hands-on lessons in outdoor structures, highways and office-space work.

“We want them to see there’s a career here,” says Thomas Rooney, coordinator for the union’s Southwest Carpenters Training Fund.

Union officials know that in today’s cost-conscious and extra-competitive world, their worker members have to justify the higher salaries – and benefits – they get. The contractors who hire union workers often battle for big-dollar contracts for major real estate or municipal projects. Profiting from that huge-scale work can hinge on worker skills.

A typical apprentice in the program takes a week off from work roughly once a quarter for four years to reach the coveted journeyman’s status. The syllabus exposes workers to a wide range of skills and construction techniques within their own slice of the trade, loosely delineated by indoor or outdoor work.

Despite the overall construction rebound, enrollments in the carpenter training program across six Western states is about 6,000 versus up to 14,000 during the real estate boom.
“That it hasn’t increased more surprises me,” says the carpenters union’s Rooney.

WHO’S IN DEMAND

Project manager positions were the toughest construction office jobs to fill in California – 61 percent of bosses surveyed put it atop the list, the contractor survey shows. Next were engineers and estimating professionals, both problematic, at 41 percent of the shops polled.

Out in the field, iron workers and plumbers were California’s hardest to fill – cited by two-thirds of employers. Carpenters were next toughest, with 59 percent of state employers saying they have trouble finding adequate labor.

Construction bosses say they using extra subcontractors and staffing companies to fill worker gaps. And 27 percent of California bosses said they were turning to unions for help in finding workers versus 9 percent nationally.

Other labor-boosting strategies include moving work away from the job site, the contractor survey shows. Thirty-five percent of California bosses choose prefabricated parts to help with the labor shortage (versus just 13 percent nationwide.)

This imbalance should add up to a seller’s, i.e. worker’s, market, with “prices” (wages) rising accordingly. Curiously, the survey showed compensation seems to be on the rise more away from California –as well as noticeably more for front-office staffs.

In California, 55 percent of construction bosses said they hiked pay for professional staffs; 26 percent upped benefits, and 21 percent boosted bonuses. This pretty much matches the national trend.

At the job site, though, pay is up at only 24 percent of California employers (vs. 59 percent nationally); benefits and/or bonuses are up at 14 percent of firms. Overtime pay rose at 10 percent of the employers (vs. 18 percent nationally.)

No executives surveyed by the contractors in the state saw the situation getting better any time soon. Thirty-three percent of bosses think it’ll become harder to get skilled craftsmen; 45 percent think challenging hiring conditions will continue.

“The shortage of construction workers has begun to push construction costs upward,” says Olson Construction’s Wilhelm, who adds that extra labor costs come on top of a 3 percent jump in the price of construction materials.

It could be worse, I guess. Think of the trucking trade, facing its own staffing shortages – as much as 40,000 drivers short today.

That gap has the potential to grow fivefold by the next decade.

Seems some truckers are being drawn to the reviving construction industry. For many, swinging a hammer close to home beats hours alone on the road.

– Greg Hardesty

BOB OLSON
CEO and Founder
R.D. Olson Construction

Bob Olson was 9 years old when he started pulling nails out of two-by-fours.

At 58, the Newport Beach resident has definitely progressed in his 35-year construction career.

The CEO and founder of R.D. Olson Construction in Irvine is, along with partner Pacific Hospitality Group, in the midst of perhaps his splashiest project yet: The Pasea Hotel & Spa, a 250-room, eight-story resort (a rooftop bar is just part of the fun) near the Huntington Beach Pier. It’s set to open in spring 2016.

“We’re definitely pushing the envelope compared to what we’ve developed in the past,” says Olson, who once built a restaurant for Sonny Bono in Hollywood in the ’80s and became good friends with the former singer and congressman. “It’s a hotel that Orange County has never seen before.”

That’s a bold statement, but Olson has made a career out of thinking big and outside the box. His company weathered the recent recession in grand style, completing nearly a dozen hotels in 2012-13. R.D. Olson recently opened the 210-room Courtyard Laguna Hills Hotel near the Irvine Spectrum – featuring a new high-tech lobby and stylish bistro, and a 75-foot lap pool – and this year broke ground on a six-story, 221-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel near Disneyland. The general contractor is also planning a couple of hotels in Silicon Valley and another in the Waimea Valley, on the North Shore of Oahu.

Olson credits his involvement with the Young Presidents’ Organization, in which business leaders get together to schmooze, for giving him a “great perspective”on how to run a business. He also keeps his success in perspective by maintaining a balanced family life. One of Olson’s two older children, Melissa, 31, is a sales and marketing executive for Marriott. Older son Bobby, 34, is a real estate lawyer. Olson and his wife, Christyne, have a 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte, and an 8-year-old son, Sutton, who’s probably already well into pulling nails out of two-by-fours.

R.D. Olson supports the Chapman University Scholarship Fund!

R.D. Olson bringing Awareness to the ALS Campaign & challenging those in the construction industry to do the same!

Having Fun in The Sun R.D. Olson Style!

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By Carrie Rossenfeld

Residents of all ages are demanding high-style, high-function common amenities, according to R.D. Olson Construction. The firm recently completed extensive renovations on 27 Seventy Five Apts., a 468-unit garden-style apartment community in Costa Mesa, CA, owned by UDR Inc., in addition to several upscale recreation buildings for the Rancho Mission Viejo Co. in its master-planned communities Sendero and Gavilan in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA.

The 27 Seventy Five Apts., for which the locally based construction firm has served as general contractor, has been repositioned with contemporary upgrades and features. All apartment units and exteriors at the project have been renovated, infrastructure and amenities throughout have been upgraded, and the firm has also built a new, 14,000-square-foot community building and reconstructed the 3-acre lake that functions as the centerpiece of the community. Peak West Development served as construction manager for the project.

According to Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction, “This project’s combination of construction and renovation elements, along with the need to complete the work while keeping the complex operational for residents, were challenges that our team was able to tackle head on. The result is a modern, amenity-rich apartment community that will suit the needs of the next generation of residents.”

 The updated apartments feature sleek, open living spaces with contemporary lighting, modern kitchens, luxurious bathrooms and ample windows. Community amenities include upgraded eco-friendly landscaping, lighted sport courts, a pool and outdoor lounges and grills. The newly constructed community building features a rooftop lounge, game room, conference and business centers, fitness facilities and a great room with a fireplace. The project was designed by Costa Mesa-based Newman Garrison + Partners.

 At Rancho Mission Viejo, R.D. Olson has completed four recreation buildings: Hacienda, Ranch House, Guest House and the Outpost. The 11,000-square-foot Hacienda caters to senior adults and includes a luxurious great room with bar, yoga studio and fitness center, outdoor cabanas and bocce courts. Ranch House is a 5,400-square-foot clubhouse that features an exercise room, pool, spa and water-play area for kids. The 5,800-square-foot Guest House includes a community room and full catering kitchen for residents; the Outpost, a 2,200-square-foot clubhouse, features a pool and spa, complete with a bar, outdoor cabanas and bocce courts, as well as a barbecue and hammock areas.

GlobeSt.com was unable to reach Wilhelm prior to deadline to discuss the evolution of high-style amenities for residents, but stay tuned for an upcoming interview with him in which we explore the subject more deeply.

Listening to residents in order to understand their needs and wants is crucial in commercial real estate development. As GlobeSt.com reported earlier this month, understanding what each community needs and what their unique challenges are is key to a successful planning, according to Brian Judd, principal of design, planning and environmental firm PlaceWorks.

R.D. Olson Superintendents “Getting Connected” at their Semi-Annual Meeting!

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By Staff

R.D. Olson Construction is announcing new activity on numerous projects in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties, continuing its leadership in the California hotel construction industry. Increased activity in 2014 includes the addition of over 1,120 hotel rooms statewide and marks continued growth in the hotel industry for the Irvine, Calif.-based general contractor. Current and new projects include a range of both ground-up construction and renovation work.

“We are excited about our current and upcoming hotel projects and the growth that our company and Southern California have seen in the market,” said Bob Olson, founder and chief executive officer of R.D. Olson Construction.

With the construction of several hotel projects already underway, R.D. Olson also has numerous ventures planned for 2014, including five ground-up hotel construction projects and three hotel renovations.

Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum
R.D. Olson Construction is underway on the construction of the Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, Calif. The project features a host of above-standard amenities for the Courtyard concept, and is located within a short walk to the abundant retail amenities available at Irvine Spectrum. Enlisted by Irvine Center SPE, LLC the 210-room hotel is slated for completion by July 2014.

Courtyard by Marriott San Jose
San Diego-based Win Time Hotels enlisted R.D. Olson Construction to construct the Courtyard by Marriott in San Jose, Calif. The 157-room hotel is scheduled to be completed in January 2014.

Palm Desert Timeshares
R.D. Olson is currently constructing 32-timeshare villas in Palm Desert, Calif. The one- and two-bedroom villas feature full kitchens and dining areas. Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2014.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Burbank
549 San Fernando SPE, LLC engaged R.D. Olson to construct the new, 170-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank, Calif. Construction is set to begin during the first quarter of 2014.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim
R.D. Olson will begin construction on a ground up 220-room Courtyard by Marriott in Anaheim, Calif. in March 2014.

Marriott Residence Inn Pasadena
Pasadena at Fair Oaks Real Estate, LLC, has engaged R.D. Olson Construction to build a 144-room Marriott Residence Inn, located in the heart of historic Old Town in Pasadena, Calif.

Hampton Inn Glendale
R.D. Olson Construction is working with Vista Investments to construct a new Hampton Inn in Glendale, Calif. The 94-room project is set to begin in spring of 2014.

Bicycle Casino Hotel Bell Gardens
R.D. Olson starts construction in March 2014 on a $45 million luxury hotel project, The Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens, Calif. The 100-room, seven-story, 117,907-square-foot hotel will feature more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a bakery/cafe, restaurant, penthouse nightclub, roof-top open air gaming area, health spa, fitness center and a second floor elevated swimming pool with cabanas.

Hotel MdR in Marina del Rey
Los Angeles-based Channel West Group selected R.D. Olson to convert the 283-room Courtyard by Marriott in Marina del Rey, Calif. to a Doubletree by Hilton, a project currently under renovation. The project includes renovations to the exterior facade, lobby, restaurant, pool deck, guestrooms and suites. The hotel will remain open throughout construction.

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
R.D. Olson Construction was chosen by new owners, Hazen’s Real Estate Group, to refresh the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel at Los Angeles International Airport. Plans call for the renovation of 804 guest room suites, as well as the lobby and dining areas; and will require R. D. Olson to work around various functions while the hotel remains open.

Marriott Residence Inn LAX
Additional work near Los Angeles International Airport includes the conversion of a 12-story office building into a 231-room Marriott Residence Inn. R.D. Olson expects to begin work in March 2014.

The Anza Hotel Calabasas
R.D. Olson’s upcoming hotel renovation work also includes a project at The Anza Hotel, located in Calabasas, Calif. The project is expected to be completed in early 2014.

“Hotel construction and renovation are the strongholds of our business. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise and experience to new projects as the hospitality sector continues to expand in 2014,” said Olson.

Irvine, Calif. – R.D. Olson Construction is announcing new activity on numerous projects in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties, continuing its leadership in the California hotel construction industry. Increased activity in 2014 includes the addition of over 1,120 hotel rooms statewide and marks continued growth in the hotel industry for the Irvine, Calif.-based general contractor. Current and new projects include a range of both ground-up construction and renovation work.

“We are excited about our current and upcoming hotel projects and the growth that our company and Southern California have seen in the market,” said Bob Olson, founder and chief executive officer of R.D. Olson Construction.

With the construction of several hotel projects already underway, R.D. Olson also has numerous ventures planned for 2014, including five ground-up hotel construction projects and three hotel renovations.

Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum
R.D. Olson Construction is underway on the construction of the Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, Calif. The project features a host of above-standard amenities for the Courtyard concept, and is located within a short walk to the abundant retail amenities available at Irvine Spectrum. Enlisted by Irvine Center SPE, LLC the 210-room hotel is slated for completion by July 2014.

Courtyard by Marriott San Jose
San Diego-based Win Time Hotels enlisted R.D. Olson Construction to construct the Courtyard by Marriott in San Jose, Calif. The 157-room hotel is scheduled to be completed in January 2014.

Palm Desert Timeshares
R.D. Olson is currently constructing 32-timeshare villas in Palm Desert, Calif. The one- and two-bedroom villas feature full kitchens and dining areas. Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2014.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Burbank
549 San Fernando SPE, LLC engaged R.D. Olson to construct the new, 170-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Burbank, Calif. Construction is set to begin during the first quarter of 2014.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim
R.D. Olson will begin construction on a ground up 220-room Courtyard by Marriott in Anaheim, Calif. in March 2014.

Marriott Residence Inn Pasadena
Pasadena at Fair Oaks Real Estate, LLC, has engaged R.D. Olson Construction to build a 144-room Marriott Residence Inn, located in the heart of historic Old Town in Pasadena, Calif.

Hampton Inn Glendale
R.D. Olson Construction is working with Vista Investments to construct a new Hampton Inn in Glendale, Calif. The 94-room project is set to begin in spring of 2014.

Bicycle Casino Hotel Bell Gardens
R.D. Olson starts construction in March 2014 on a $45 million luxury hotel project, The Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens, Calif. The 100-room, seven-story, 117,907-square-foot hotel will feature more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a bakery/cafe, restaurant, penthouse nightclub, roof-top open air gaming area, health spa, fitness center and a second floor elevated swimming pool with cabanas.

Hotel MdR in Marina del Rey
Los Angeles-based Channel West Group selected R.D. Olson to convert the 283-room Courtyard by Marriott in Marina del Rey, Calif. to a Doubletree by Hilton, a project currently under renovation. The project includes renovations to the exterior facade, lobby, restaurant, pool deck, guestrooms and suites. The hotel will remain open throughout construction.

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
R.D. Olson Construction was chosen by new owners, Hazen’s Real Estate Group, to refresh the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel at Los Angeles International Airport. Plans call for the renovation of 804 guest room suites, as well as the lobby and dining areas; and will require R. D. Olson to work around various functions while the hotel remains open.

Marriott Residence Inn LAX
Additional work near Los Angeles International Airport includes the conversion of a 12-story office building into a 231-room Marriott Residence Inn. R.D. Olson expects to begin work in March 2014.

The Anza Hotel Calabasas
R.D. Olson’s upcoming hotel renovation work also includes a project at The Anza Hotel, located in Calabasas, Calif. The project is expected to be completed in early 2014.

“Hotel construction and renovation are the strongholds of our business. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise and experience to new projects as the hospitality sector continues to expand in 2014,” said Olson. 

By Kari Hamananka

It should be a healthy year for Orange County hotels.

Occupancy is already running strong here, and industry researcher PKF Consulting USA LLC is looking for average room rates to grow between 4% and 5% next year.

“Overall, the market should be good,” said PKF Senior Vice President Bruce Baltin, in the firm’s Los Angeles office. “The market’s running at capacity in occupancy, and so there should be revenue growth next year.”

OC’s supply grew this year after the dry spell of the recession.

R.D. Olson Construction’s 149-room Residence Inn & Suites and 145-room Fairfield Inn & Suites both opened this summer at the developer’s mixed-use project, the Tustin Pacific Center.

Two SpringHill Suites—a 172-room property and a 120-room property—are expected to open in the summer in Anaheim. Olson will add a 210-room Courtyard by Marriott in the Irvine Spectrum about the same time. Those will be followed by a 178-room Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort toward year’s end.

By Shawn A. Turner

REPORT FROM THE U.S. – U.S. hotel construction spending has been on a tear lately.

Spending in the hotel industry through July was up nearly 39% to $15.2 billion, Kermit Baker, chief economist with the American Instituter of Architects, said, quoting U.S. Census Bureau data. The increase far outpaced the other commercial/industrial sectors of commercial (+1.6%), manufacturing (+0.2%) and office (-2.1%), he said during a Reed Construction Data webinar titled “The 2014 outlook: Emerging opportunities for construction.”

Baker said architecture firms are also beginning to slowly build up their project backlog levels, a sign that more work is coming in. The AIA’s Architecture Billings Index for September registered a 54.3. Any score higher than 50 indicates billings growth.

“Design activity is clearly pointing to an uptick in construction activity,” Baker said.

Bill Wilhelm, executive VP at R.D. Olson Construction, said he is seeing more interest in ground-up development.

There were a total of 2,767 projects comprising 333,775 rooms in the in construction, final planning or planning stages as of September, according to data from STR, parent company of Hotel News Now. The number of projects scheduled to open in 2014 is expected to increase to 877 hotels and 98,651 rooms, up from 188 projects totaling 19,586 rooms during 2013.

R.D. Olson is commencing construction on the $45-million, 100-room Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens, California. Construction on the nearly 118,000-square-foot hotel is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2015.

“We’re seeing more ground-up opportunities over the next six to eight months,” he said. “People want to get off the shelves and get into the dance.”

Marty Collins, president and CEO of real estate investment and development company Gatehouse Capital Corporation, said he has noted a pickup in the amount of the sector’s activity.

Much of the hotel construction focus has shifted to select-service hotels, which is what largely comprises Gatehouse’s pipeline, Collins said. The company is looking at markets including Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

“Clearly, you’ve seen supply increasing. The difference today is there is a little bit more of an urban focus,” he said.

Samuel E. Cicero, Jr., president of Cicero’s Development Corporation, said his construction company hasn’t worked on any new builds—yet.

“We have been asked to look” at some projects, he said.

Debt availability
Experts said during the Reed Construction webinar that lenders are loosening the reins on their underwriting standards relating to construction financing but not doing so in large swaths.

According to the “Federal Reserve Board senior loan officer opinion survey in July,” 76% of respondents said their credit standards were unchanged, with 18% saying standards had eased and the remaining 6% reporting tighter standards. By comparison, 50% of respondents reported stronger demands for loans; 42% said they were seeing the same level of loan demand; and 8% said there was weaker demand.

The lack of movement in underwriting is a surprise given how tight lenders were with credit during the downturn, Baker said. “Modest easing is still a little disappointing.”

Renovation financing is a little easier to come by than new construction, which is proving to be more dicey, Cicero said.

Most of the debt that is available comes by way of regional banks, Collins said. Increasing performance within the sector is helping to smooth some of the fears lenders might have when approached about a potential project, sources said.

Regardless, “terms are challenging,” Wilhelm said of the debt developers are able to find.

Points of emphasis
While there are some new builds going up, a lot of the activity today is related to renovation projects, sources said. Owners are still trying to get caught up on their property improvement plans, which is driving a lot of the action.

Cicero said brands are no longer as forgiving about pushing PIPs off as they were during the downturn. “Now they’re seeing the need to get back on it.”

Much of the work is focused on infrastructure improvements, Cicero said, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning; lighting systems; power; and mechanicals.

Wilhelm said guest-facing areas are also seeing work, such as lobbies, restaurants and meeting rooms, for instance.

As for costs, Wilhelm and Cicero said they have seen slight increases in raw material prices, but nothing dramatic. Cicero said the increases amount to about the cost of inflation—2% to 3% cost increases a year.

“Nothing that’s too far out of line,” Cicero said.

A bigger concern is finding skilled labor and planning for the project, he said. “It takes six months to a year from the time you start planning to the time you start working in the building.”

Looking ahead, Wilhelm said he expects the recent spate of hotel construction spending activity to continue, especially as the overall industry recovers.

“We see a good environment for the next three years,” he said.

Irvine, Calif. – R.D. Olson Construction is commencing construction on its latest luxury hotel project, The Bicycle Casino Hotel in Bell Gardens, Calif. Through this $45 million project, R.D. Olson Construction will create approximately 300 construction-related jobs in a community that is currently experiencing 16.3 percent unemployment.

R.D. Olson Construction and The Bicycle Casino celebrated this significant contribution to the area’s economic turnaround with elected officials Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown, Jr. and State Senator Ricardo Lara at yesterday’s ceremonial unveiling.

The Bicycle Casino is currently the largest employer in Bell Gardens, and the 100-room, luxury hotel project will have a meaningful economic impact on the area, creating 250 new hotel and casino jobs. Construction is planned for completion the first quarter of 2015.

“R.D. Olson Construction is proud to be a part of a project that will have such a profound economic impact on an area in need of stimulation,” said Bill Wilhelm, executive vice president of R.D. Olson Construction.

Located at the corner of Bicycle Casino Drive and Eastern Ave., the Bicycle Casino Hotel sits in the heart of Bell Gardens.

The hotel’s modern design will cater to casino and leisure guests alike. The seven-story, 117,907-square-foot hotel will feature a bakery/cafe, restaurant, penthouse nightclub, roof-top open air gaming area, health spa, fitness center and second floor, elevated swimming pool with cabanas. When complete, the casino and hotel will have more than 15,000 square feet of event, meeting and function space.

R.D. Olson Construction is a recognized leader in hotel construction and has been building at a rapid pace, with eight new starts over the last 24 months alone. R.D. Olson has completed the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Tustin, Calif., Residence Inn hotels in Tustin and San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Santa Barbara and Oceanside, Calif., and Maui, Hawaii. Earlier this year, the firm completed the nation’s first Legoland Hotel at Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., and the company is currently under construction on the eight-story, 210-room Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014. 

Irvine, CA – R.D. Olson Construction has finished construction on Tustin Pacific Center, a 196,000-square-foot mixed use hotel and retail project in Tustin, CA, featuring the latest designs by Marriott International for its Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels. The 145-room Tustin Fairfield Inn & Suites represents the newest Generation 4 design by Marriott and is the first of its kind in Southern California, featuring an energetic, contemporary décor and inventive use of space throughout. The Tustin Residence Inn, a 149-suite hotel, represents Marriott’s latest design for its market leading extended-stay brand. 

Both hotels were completed 30 days ahead of schedule, a notable achievement given the hotel’s new designs. R.D. Olson’s longstanding relationship with Marriott was a key factor in the contractor’s ability to deliver the project early. 

Indeed, the designs were so new that construction began prior to a complete definition of scope, yet the project teams worked together to fine tune the project as construction progressed. Upon final life/safety inspection, the hotels became the first two properties to be approved by Marriott for the same owner on the same day with zero deficiencies, a significant accomplishment.

“Our expertise in hotel construction over the past 30+ years allows us to deliver projects with maximum efficiency through every phase of construction,” said Bob Olson, CEO and founder of R.D. Olson Construction. “The entire project team worked together seamlessly to deliver on Marriott’s contemporary new styling for these hotels,” added Olson. The Irvine, CA-based general contractor has built hotels for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Starwood Lodging, InterContinental Hotels Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, among others.

Marriott praised R.D. Olson’s ability to construct the projects ahead of schedule. “We value our longstanding relationship with R.D. Olson and their consistent performance in constructing high quality hotels in high performing markets,” said Eric Jacobs, chief development officer of Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay division.

“The ability to complete these properties ahead of schedule allowed Marriott’s management team a sizable head start in organizing the opening of the two hotels,” added Olson.

Both hotels have numerous guest amenities, including outdoor areas with pools, spas, fire pits and a sports court, exercise rooms, convenience markets, breakfast areas, business centers and meeting space for groups of up to 200 people. “The new design features the utmost in innovative guest offerings and convenience,” said Olson.

The art in the hotel’s public spaces celebrates Tustin’s history, while guestrooms are adorned with lifestyle images of Orange County’s beach communities. Tustin Pacific Center was designed by Gene Fong Associates, with interior architecture by Johnson Braund Design Group, Inc.

Tustin Pacific Center also includes a 16,180-square-foot retail center that has been leased to Starbucks, Flame Broiler, Subway and FedEx Office. Perkowitz + Ruth Architects designed the retail component of the project.

The new project has a prominent location on the 55 Freeway at Edinger Avenue in Tustin, and represents another first in the local lodging market: these are the first new hotels built in Tustin in more than 15 years.

“Tustin Pacific Center will serve the business travel needs throughout the surrounding area, including John Wayne Airport, the Irvine Business Complex and the Santa Ana Civic Center,” added Olson. The project is also a 10-minute drive to Disneyland and Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and is convenient to the beach cities in Orange County.   

R.D. Olson Construction has completed several new hotels in the last 18 months, including the Residence Inn by Marriott in San Juan Capistrano, CA, and Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Oceanside and Santa Barbara, CA, Maui, HI, and a pending completion in San Jose, CA. Earlier this year the firm completed the nation’s first Legoland Hotel at Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad, CA, and the company is currently under construction on an 8-story, 210-room Courtyard by Marriott in the heart of the Irvine Spectrum Center that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014.

The general contractor is also active in the construction of office buildings, retail centers, apartments, restaurants, health clubs and country clubs. R.D. Olson Construction completed several restaurants during the past year in the newly renovated Los Angeles International Airport and at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA. R.D. Olson Construction has also recently completed the 36,000-square-foot headquarters facility for Open X in Pasadena, CA, and an Equinox health club facility in Encino, CA.