Melhorn Construction has been building San Diego since the early 1900’s. Before it was a boom town San Diego’s population was only about 20,000. In 1912, the first glimmer of what was to become a vast Navy presence appeared when the U.S. military established a base on North Island. In that same year, the Melhorn family opened business as a construction company under the leadership of its founder, Martin V. Melhorn. Through the ensuing decades, Melhorn Construction was to become an integral thread in the fabric of the San Diego community.
By the 1920s, San Diego had burgeoned into a town of more than 70,000 people and Melhorn Construction was keeping pace, building the downtown multi-story Knickerbocker Hotel. Many other enterprises sought out Melhorn to construct their places of business, with the edifices and accommodations keeping pace with the times.
As a prime example of Melhorn’s versatility, the company undertook construction of Lane Field, the waterfront stadium which in 1936 became home to the San Diego Padres, at that time competing in professional baseball’s AAA Pacific Coast League. The Padres later became a part of Major League Baseball, with a home in Mission Valley, and in 1958, Lane Field was torn down.
William B. Melhorn carried on his father’s firm’s sterling reputation of quality and integrity. As World War II ended, San Diego, which had sent forth many naval forces and marines crucial to America’s victories overseas, was enjoying booming growth. Melhorn matched this economic surge with commercial, industrial and institutional.
Continuing the Melhorn legacy until the 21st Century was Martin W. Melhorn, the grandson of the founder. ‘Marty’ as he was known to his friends and associates, not only continued Melhorn’s fine traditions but expanded its reach into many new and challenging venues of construction. While Marty was leader of the company, Melhorn performed numerous significant hotel and hospitality projects. Melhorn’s motto was ‘No job too challenging!’ Marty cemented the Melhorn name’s reputation for integrity and fair dealings.
Carrying Melhorn Construction into a new century of building is current President John Hardisty. John is a 30-plus year construction industry professional who has managed numerous high-profile multi-million dollar projects across the United States.
Working together the Melhorn Team is committed to setting the standard in customer service, building smarter by utilizing the latest technology in building construction, management systems, and joining with clients in a collaborative approach which values accountability, transparency and technical expertise.
Melhorn stands on its sterling reputation, offering clients the confidence and distinction of 100 years of building excellence in San Diego.
