Back in 1947, the future was finally looking bright for the United States. World War II was over, and the nation was eager to get back to business. Employment was high, especially among the civilian labor force. Following years of wartime rationing, where staples like gasoline, milk, butter, and even soap were limited, Americans were eager to spend on big ticket items, from appliances to cars and houses. It was at this time the Plant Construction Company was formed.
Originally named Plant Brothers Corporation, the San Francisco-based construction company was the brainchild of brothers Tom, Buck, and Dave Plant. Even in the early days, the business became known for its high-quality, professional work. The first job the brothers took on was unusual, to say the least: salvaging an old sunken wooden barge and creatively transforming it into a lodge for duck hunting. Not only was the project unique, but it also set the bar for the company and its ability to successfully tackle challenging projects.
Much has changed in the world years since the three brothers founded the business bearing their family name all those decades ago, but Plant Construction’s ongoing commitment to professionalism, client service, timely project delivery, and customer satisfaction remains as strong as ever. Starting off with custom home building, then moving on to public school construction and commercial work—much of it seismic upgrading—Plant has always kept up with the times.
Responsible today for an array of services including concrete, preconstruction, construction, green building, self-performed services, and design-build, the company has amassed a massive project portfolio, earning the trust of new and repeat clients across California. And much of the company’s success comes from hiring the best people. Growing to meet the diverse needs of customers state-wide, Plant Construction is led by a strong team of highly experienced industry veterans, including construction managers and senior project managers, a director of field operations, a director of safety, and others.
This year alone, Plant Construction has been behind several standout projects. In May, the company announced that it was awarded three affordable housing works. These include returning to the historic Mission District’s Casa Esperanza, formerly known as the Eula Hotel. The company will complete the second phase of this project, which will include “the build out of support spaces with new office space and exterior enhancements,” according to Plant’s website.
To be completed for the Dolores Street Community Services—in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing—the company will also be responsible for Phase 2 of Casa Colibri, the former Mission Inn. The scope of work here encompasses a seismic retrofit, conversion of new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) units, renovations, “and additions including office and support spaces, electrification of the existing gas hot water systems, and installation of new fire sprinkler systems,” states Plant. And as part of another affordable housing project, the team is undertaking a large exterior rehabilitation at the Dunleavy Plaza Apartments for the Mission Housing Development Corporation.
Earlier this year, Plant Construction was awarded the contract for Phase 2 of Gateway Vista West. This contract comes after the company completed a similar project in San Francisco’s North Waterfront neighborhood, Gateway Vista East. The Gateway Vista West project will see Plant Construction undertake a voluntary structural upgrade of the 22-storey structure. The work also marks the second time Plant will be working with Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers. One of California’s largest structural consulting firms focused on structural engineering, Saiful Bouquet has offices in San Diego and Los Angeles.
With a highly skilled team—including many long-tenured staff—Plant Construction takes on a range of project types, all undertaken with the utmost attention to detail and adherence to customer budgets and schedules. These projects include everything from adaptive reuse to affordable housing, hospitality works to higher education, and residential to retail, along with residential conversion, historic renovation, seismic renovation, and much more.
No matter the project type, safety on all job sites remains a cornerstone of Plant Construction’s values. With a thorough Environmental Health and Safety Plan, the company’s employees, partners, and subcontractors are equipped with the knowledge necessary to ensure safe work practices while exceeding local, state, and federal requirements.
Committed to providing clients with the most effective and seamless construction experience possible, Plant Construction continues to invest in groundbreaking technologies. Incorporating cloud-based project management software, virtual modeling, building information modeling (BIM), state-of-the-art laser scanning, and drone surveying, Plant enables clients “to make quick, informed decisions that ultimately make their projects more efficient.”
During its many successful years in business, Plant Construction has received more than 100 awards for its outstanding work, recognizing the company for its commitment to quality, project execution, and safety. Plant is honored to be recognized by many prominent associations, publications, and organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, California Preservation Foundation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Retrofit Magazine, The San Francisco Business Times, and more.
Grateful for the ongoing recognition, the team at Plant Construction is a great believer in giving back. “Our commitment to building goes beyond the construction business,” states the company on its website. “A major foundation of what roots Plant in the Bay Area and brings our employees personal and professional satisfaction is our long history of supporting nonprofits that we touch through our work or through participation in our local communities.”
Over the past decade, Plant Construction has been the proud recipient of a Top 100 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropy Award, from the San Francisco Business Times. The business is also involved with other charities, foundations, and associations, including the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, Habitat for Humanity, the Larkin Street Youth Center, San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR), and others.
Growing to encompass over 80 salaried staff and some 200 craftspeople, Plant Construction is active across California, works in Utah, and has completed work in other locations across the U.S. and Canada. Almost 80 years after it was founded by brothers Tom, Buck, and Dave Plant, the company continues living up to its slogan: “The Finest Construction Services, Efficiently Performed, Delivered on Schedule.”
