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About David

The story of maverick Los Angeles developer David S. Honda is the story of a new era in interior and exterior architecture that inaugurated a bolder, more elegant aesthetic for an entire region. But his is also the story of an energetic community leader, a generous philanthropist, and a rising star in the arena of environmentally and ecologically responsible construction development around the globe. 

David Honda began building his reputation in the Los Angeles construction and design business as an innovator and a prolific developer beginning with his position as a space planner and draftsperson at SLS Environetics, while still a student at San Fernando Valley State College (now Cal State University, Northridge).

That experience led to Mr. Honda’s tenure as vice president of Innovax Construction’s Beverly Hills offices.  Now Innovax-Pillar, the firm is internationally renowned for historical renovations.

Next came a partnership venture in interior construction of architecturally significant structures.  David Co-founded Beverly Hills design firm, Spacemakers, Inc. in 1976 and served as its CEO through 1980.  His achievements as Spacemakers’ CEO included bringing unique Rodeo Drive landmarks such as Peterson Art Galleries, Cecil Gee, and Bottega Veneta to life.   Mr. Honda also helped spearhead the historic restoration of the Huntington Sheraton Hotel in Pasadena.

Since November 1980, David S. Honda has been president of D.S. Honda Construction, Inc.  Among the company’s most notable projects are the Upjohn Company, The Director’s Guild of America, the Japanese American National Museum Barracks Restoration, and the 1984 Special Olympics Archery Range Complex.

Los Angeles’ storied Wilshire corridor bears the David Honda mark of refined space planning and quality construction.  Millions of square feet of commercial real estate have been created or renovated by D.S. Honda Construction, Inc.

In a deliberate effort to functionally and aesthetically enhance the community of Van Nuys, D.S. Honda Construction built the Honda Financial Centre, which received the Accommodation Award from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 

The unanimous verdict among professionals in the design community is that the Honda Financial Centre established new standards of quality and elegance in the interior and exterior design of office buildings in the area. 

Further evidence of the Honda Financial Centre’s importance as a turning point in the community’s building landscape came in the form of the Community Award for Excellence, presented by the Mid San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce and the LA County Board of Supervisors to David Honda for his developing “the first Class-A office building in the Downtown Van Nuys Area.”

A project Mr. Honda has kept close to his heart is the recovery of 2 Heart Mountain, WY, Japanese American Internment Camp Barracks for the Japanese American National Museum.  The exhibit “Americans Concentration Camps” was built on the parking lot of the present museum at First and Alameda. This was a 2-year project of planning, logistics, strategy, and execution of recovery while working with the Museum architects, historical curator, museum leadership, and past internees. After one year, the exhibit traveled to Ellis Island and then to San Francisco. The second barracks are on display on the second floor of the museum.

Currently, Mr. Honda is focused on developing office buildings, multi-family units, medical facility structures, and commercial-residential transit-hub centers.

After more than five decades of perfecting his signature style of high refinement and superior quality in historic and commercial tenant high-rise construction projects, Mr. Honda is now among a handful of experts working in partnership with the governments of emerging Asian countries, such as Vietnam, to help them avoid the brute-force style of economic development that is currently devastating the natural environments of China and India. 

Additionally, David has regularly been invited to Japan by government and trade organizations, where he is valued as an environmental design and project management expert.  

In late 2007, David Honda hosted a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction and Development to California.  He led top government officials from that country on a tour of the L.A. region’s most cutting-edge “green” projects, including fuel-cell, solar, micro-turbine, and cogeneration energy technologies. 

Mr. Honda has helped Vietnam plan an environmentally sustainable infrastructure.  Furthermore, D.S. Honda is working to help other Pacific Rim nations and islands distinguish themselves as more attractive labor markets by developing eco-friendly energy platforms, waste management solutions, and construction techniques.

But David S. Honda is equally known as an ever-present force for change and improvement in the plights of the less fortunate.  To make an accounting of all of the nonprofit organizations that have benefited from his labor would be a mammoth undertaking. In 2002, David started the California State University Northridge Construction Management, a four-year degree program certified by ACCE. This program has developed students to enter the commercial construction arena with national and local contractors.  However, a few highlights from David’s philanthropic, charitable, and civic endeavors through the years include:

2002-2024

1995-2002

1980-1994

David Honda has been acknowledged by numerous organizations for his work in business and volunteering, including the 1988 Small Businessperson of the Year Award, presented by California Assemblyman Richard Katz, the 1989 Mendenhall Memorial Leadership Award by the Van Nuys Chamber, 2008 CK Tseng Leadership Award presented by the Northridge Chamber, 2009 Fernando Awards, The Academy Awards for Volunteerism, Civic Engagement & Philanthropy in the San Fernando Valley, 2010 California State University “Dorothea Heitz Volunteer Leadership Award” and 2017, 2018, and 2019  was recognized by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal as one of 200 Influential Individuals for the San Fernando Valley. In 2020, David was recognized as the 20 most influential leader in Organizations by the SFVBJ.

David has recently celebrated his 49th anniversary with his wife, Yolanda. They have two grown children, David Mark and Jennifer Ann, and five grandchildren.  For fun, relaxation, and recreation, he attends sporting events and golf and enjoys the outdoors.  David has also driven Formula 1 Indy Cars, NASCAR Nextel Cup cars, Super modified stock cars, and Outlaw Sprint Cars.

Contact: David S. Honda. Dhonda1@hotmail.com. 818 231 6212. Bio: 1-1-24