Almost a year after the wildfires reshaped Pacific Palisades, our beloved neighborhood is embracing a moment of meaningful progress and hope. As 2025 was winding down, Thomas James Homes completed the first ground-up new home to allow the public to tour in Pacific Palisades. This milestone marked a major turning point for the community. It represents continuity, resilience, and a collective choice to remain rooted in a place so many call “home.”

National and local outlets alike recognized the moment, with coverage in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, Realtor.com, MSN, Homes.com, and many more – each pointing to the project as a rare but meaningful step forward in a complex recovery process.

For the Palisades, this wasn’t just a construction update. It was the first proof that rebuilding here is possible.

A Milestone That Resonated Beyond the Neighborhood
We are pleased to see that the media attention that followed our first construction has reflected a story of headway in a place where progress has been hard-won. The Times of London framed the completion as a central example of recovery nearly a year after the fires, while The Wall Street Journal positioned it within a national conversation about the challenges of post-wildfire rebuilding. Realtor.com and Homes.com highlighted the home as a turning point, evidence that the long path from insurance claims and permitting to move-in readiness can, in fact, be navigated.

Closer to home, outlets like the Palisadian-Post, Santa Monica Daily Press, and My News LA captured what the moment meant locally. During the Palisades Village tree lighting, the newly completed Thomas James Homes showcase home stood nearby as a quiet symbol of continuity. It is visible proof that life here is moving forward.

A Home That Signals Forward Momentum
That first completed home is now open as a showcase residence, available for viewing by appointment. 915 Kagawa Street stands as the first completed rebuild to receive its certificate of occupancy from the City of Los Angeles since last year’s fire. This four-bedroom, nearly 4,000-square-foot residence is proof of what’s possible when design, execution, and community ambitions align.

More than a model, the showcase home is an invitation. Come see how a modern, resilient home can be rebuilt here, thoughtfully and beautifully, in this place people love. There is intention to every detail, from modern floor plans to fire-conscious design features that reflect the community’s landscape and lifestyle.

Community Progress, Step by Step
The unveiling of this home was marked with neighborhood gatherings and shared recognition of how far the community has come. For many, the presence of a completed new build is more than construction progress; it is hope made real. It signals that the Palisades is re-forming, step by step.

Across Rustic Canyon, The Riviera, Castellammare, and other pockets of the Palisades, local life is returning with a quiet persistence. Schools are in session, streets are populated again, and community rituals like weekend walks through the Village or hikes up to Temescal Canyon are bringing a familiar rhythm back to daily life.

More Homes, More Momentum
Thomas James Homes is proud to be part of this new chapter. As a premier Los Angeles wildfire recovery homebuilder, TJH has been working with dozens of families to help bring plans from concept to creation. With structured permitting support, deep local knowledge, and design-driven rebuild plans, our team is unlocking pathways for individual lots to be reimagined and rebuilt with confidence.

Thomas James Homes continues to work with families across the Palisades, guiding projects through permitting, design, and construction. The opening of our Brentwood Design Studio, covered by the Los Angeles Business Journal, further signals a long-term commitment to the region. We are committed to rebuilding as a sustained effort.

Here for the Long Run
Pacific Palisades has always evolved carefully, shaped by its setting and guided by a shared expectation of quality and stewardship. One year after the fire, that same mindset is driving the rebuild. Progress here needs to be measured and intentional. New foundations rise alongside familiar streets; thoughtful design takes shape lot by lot.

Thomas James Homes remains committed to supporting that forward movement. From guiding families through permitting to delivering homes that meet today’s standards while respecting their surroundings, our work in the Palisades is focused on continuity and care. If you’re considering rebuilding, visiting the showcase home is a chance to see what’s already underway and to start a conversation about what comes next. Connect with Thomas James Homes to learn how we can support your plans in Pacific Palisades.