Last updated on November 15th, 2024 at 07:25 am

Considered Hawaii’s most popular city, Honolulu provides a significant urban environment for some of the biggest companies in the region. Helping companies find their home in this international business hub are some of the best office contractors in Honolulu. 

To help you with any business needs in the area, we have created a list of the best builders in Honolulu. The firms included here are industry leaders shown through their recognitions, magazine features, and stellar client reviews they have earned throughout the years. These companies have offices in Hawaii and other parts of the U.S. Featured below are some of the most unforgettable projects that they built for the country’s corporate sector. Some of these modern structures can be found in Hawaii while others are established in other American metropolitan areas.


Hensel Phelps

841 Bishop St. Suite #2001, Honolulu, HI 96813

Hensel Phelps was commissioned to build the 50Fifty Office Tower, a 12-story corporate building that houses office spaces, retail spaces, and an enclosed parking garage. The building, located in Colorado, was constructed in precast concrete, and highlights a high-performance structural steel-framed office podium. Its curtain wall design facade allows ample daylight in. From a solid wall at the base, the exterior gradually changes to a more transparent look as it rises to the top. Celebrated for its sustainability, the building is a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold structure, recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). 

Projects of the same complexity and green building can be found in the firm’s 84-year-old portfolio. Some of these projects are constant features in industry magazines, such as Hawaii Business Magazine and Construction Magazine.


Layton Construction

707 Richards St. Suite PH-1A, Honolulu, HI 96813

Layton Construction led the building of Innovation Pointe, a 145,000-square-foot, high-tech corporate campus in the emerging tech hub in Utah, the “Silicon Slopes.” Some of the highlights of this project include a modern main building designed to cater to the needs of present-day corporate cultures. The work also involved the construction of a gymnasium, multiple lounges, coffee kiosks, parking structures for vehicles and bicycles, a dog park, and a food truck pullout area.  

Commercial, tech, and corporate buildings can be found in the firm’s extensive portfolio. The company’s almost seven-decades of practice has helped it establish a commended reputation in the industry. Industry institutions, such as Engineering News-Record (ENR) and Building Industry Hawaii highlight many of its accomplishments over the years.


Swinerton Builders

841 Bishop St. Suite #500, Honolulu, HI 96813

Swinerton led the major renovation work of its own corporate building that now serves as a home to its new downtown Honolulu office. The 11,000-square-foot corporate office building was delivered through the firm’s design-build practice. The work included the construction of collaboration rooms, conference rooms, a main open-space work environment, and a social gathering space. The project was completed in 2011 and currently serves the firm’s Special Projects and Self Perform divisions.

Since the firm’s establishment in 1988, it has also partnered with some of the biggest brands from a  wide range of industries in the region. Hawaii Business Magazine and General Contractors Association (GCA) of Hawaii recognized some of these projects through awards in remodeling, construction, and management. 


Stantec

1003 Bishop St. Suite #1985, Honolulu, HI 96813

Stantec was commissioned by an international communication company, Lionbridge, to translate the brand’s architecture vision into an efficient workspace. The project, located in Boston, involved the construction of offices, conference rooms, pantry, lobby, and team rooms that feature an open space layout and well-lit interiors thanks to the glass fronts that let in generous daylight. Collaboration spaces are strategically located where there is much traffic, such as the intersection points of the main areas of the office. 

Projects located across its more than 350 US and international offices can be found in the firm’s portfolio. Since its inception almost seven decades ago, its work continues to be recognized across the globe. In 2018, for instance, it was chosen as the Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Award winner. The firm was also recently featured in the Corporate Knights Global 100 listing in 2021.


Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc

94-535 Ukee St., Waipahu, HI 96797

Albert C. Kobayashi works with some of the leading commercial and corporate companies across Hawaii to deliver modern and contemporary structures. One of its most unforgettable projects is the renovation and expansion of the historic IBM Building. Commissioned by real estate development and management company, Howard Hughes, Corp., the project was transformed into a modern structure that caters to the present-day needs of its users. In order to achieve the building’s architectural and structural vision, the firm worked with renowned design firms, Wood Bagot Architects and Ferraro Choi & Associates.

Several other major clients from famous names in the industry, including car manufacturer Honda, have tasked the firm with the challenge of translating ambitious architectural ideas into modern buildings. Hawaii Business Magazine and Building Industry Hawaii are witnesses to the firm’s over 77 years of successful building practice.


Armstrong Builders, LLC

80 Sand Island Access Rd. Suite #209, Honolulu, HI 96819

Armstrong Builders partnered with its architectural brand, Armstrong Design, to deliver the Mililani Gateway South, a commercial building and office structure that features the symmetry of modern architecture. The building, located on the Island of Oahu, features expansive interior spaces that enjoy ample daylight through its wide window groupings. The work also involved the paving of its outdoor parking space for clients and tenants alike. Completed in recent years, the project won the Building Industry Association (BIA) Hawaii Grand Awards, New Commercial category.

Founded 45 years ago, the firm features other similar projects that are constantly recognized by the industry’s biggest institutions. In 2020, for instance, one of its design-build projects earned the prestigious Grand Award, Building Industry Design & Construction Awards. 


S & M Sakamoto, Inc.

1928 Hau St., Honolulu, HI 96819

S&M Sakamoto Inc. has worked with the leading developers and business owners in the region to build commercial, residential, and corporate structures that answer modern-day demands. One of its most notable projects is a five-story office building completed for the fast-casual restaurant company, Zippy’s Incorporated. The building was designed to house the restaurant chain’s employees and management teams. Inspired by modern architecture, the office building’s interiors are designed to encourage collaboration and creativity. 

Founded in 1940, S&M Sakamoto is now in its third generation of leadership. Its decades of practice are often highlighted by industry papers, including the Building Industry Hawaii Magazine. The firm is also a lifelong member of the GCA Hawaii Chapter. 


PCL Construction

1099 Alakea St. Suite #1600, Honolulu, HI 96813

PCL Construction was commissioned by American Savings Bank FSB to build its Hawaii location. The goal of the project was to provide modern commercial and corporate workspaces for the financial company’s 1,000+ employees. The eleven-story building’s interiors embody this vision and feature a team-focused workspace design. The building also accommodates relaxation rooms, an arcade, a fitness center, 10,000-square-foot outdoor lanai space, and a special amenity that provides self-serve Starbucks coffee on each floor. 

The firm’s projects of the same thoughtful and client-specific designs are constant highlights in regional publications. Pacific Edge Magazine, Trade Publishing, and Hawaii Business Magazine have celebrated the firm’s contribution to the corporate sector for decades. 

Author

  • Blaine Comeione

    Blaine has served as Editor at General Contractors Magazine for six years, drawing from over ten years of experience in construction and real estate. His comprehensive understanding spans commercial construction, architecture, and home builds, cultivated through diverse roles in the industry. With four years at BuildZoom and a background as a licensed real estate agent, Blaine possesses a unique perspective that enriches his editorial work. His dedication to delivering informative content is underscored by his extensive tenure in the field, ensuring that readers receive valuable insights into the dynamic world of construction and home design. Expertise: Commercial Construction, Commercial Remodeling, Home Design and Build Key Highlights: Over 6 years of experience writing and editing in the construction space, Editor at General Contractors Magazine, Previous experience at BuildZoom and Keller Williams Realty Education: Ohio University, Bachelor of Science in Human and Consumer Science - Minor in Business, 120+ Hours of New Jersey Real Estate Education, 120+ Hours of Arizona Real Estate Education