Duke's Malibu
Client
T S Resturants
Type
Commercial
Year
2026
Size
15,600 sq. ft.
Floors
2
Location
Malibu, CA
Services
General Contracting, Pre-Construction Services
Status
Complete
When the fires came through and flooding followed, Duke's Malibu needed a partner who could move fast, work smart, and bring one of Southern California's most iconic restaurants back to life, without missing a beat.
Project Overview
Project Name
Duke's Malibu: Flood Restoration & Facility Improvement
Client Background
Duke's Malibu is one of Southern California's most iconic oceanfront dining destinations. a beloved institution on the Pacific Coast Highway that has welcomed guests for decades. When the Malibu fires and subsequent flooding caused catastrophic damage to the lower levels of the facility, ownership needed a trusted construction partner who could take the wheel immediately and get Duke's back open.
Objective
The flooding wiped out everything six feet high and below, flooring, walls, millwork, MEP systems, cabinetry, and equipment. The damage was extensive, the timeline was expedited, and the stakes couldn't have been higher. An iconic restaurant with loyal guests, a committed ownership team, and a coastal permitting environment that doesn't make anything easy.
Scope
Christie Building and Development served as General Contractor, Construction Manager, and the central coordination hub for the entire restoration program. We didn't just build, we led. That meant managing ownership, restaurant operations, design professionals, specialty consultants, and every trade on site, all while keeping the project moving on an aggressive schedule.
Design Approach and Execution
The Approach
This wasn't a typical ground-up build or planned renovation. It was a rapid-response restoration in an active, high-profile hospitality environment, and it required a different kind of project leadership. We came in, assessed the full scope of damage, built a realistic expedited schedule, and went to work.
Phase 1 — Damage Assessment & Pre-Construction We conducted a comprehensive assessment of all flood-affected areas, documenting damage from the subfloor up and establishing a full scope of work. Every system — mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and finishes, was evaluated and a priority sequencing plan was developed to maximize speed without sacrificing quality.
Phase 2 — Demolition & Infrastructure Rebuild Everything six feet high and below was gutted. Flooring, drywall, millwork, MEP rough-ins, insulation, all removed and rebuilt from scratch. Special attention was given to the coastal environment and the moisture management requirements unique to an oceanfront property.
Phase 3 — Life Safety & Compliance Significant coordination went into testing, inspections, and compliance across all restored systems. Working with consultants, inspectors, and specialty contractors, we ensured every system met applicable requirements before a single finish went in. In a high-occupancy hospitality environment, there's no shortcut on life safety, and we didn't take one.
Phase 4 — Interior Restoration & Finishes With infrastructure in place, we moved into interior restoration, reinstalling flooring, rebuilt millwork, cabinetry, bar elements, and all finish work. The goal was to restore Duke's to its established identity while addressing every operational and compliance need uncovered during the process.
Phase 5 — Technology & Operational Systems We coordinated the restoration and integration of technology and operational systems, working with specialty vendors and ownership to ensure everything was properly reinstalled, tested, and ready for service before opening day.
Results and Acknowledgments
Outcomes
Expedited Delivery: The project was completed on an aggressive timeline, getting one of Malibu's most beloved restaurants back open for its guests as quickly as possible.
Full Facility Restoration: Every affected system, structural, MEP, life safety, finishes, and technology, was restored to full operational condition, meeting all applicable codes and compliance requirements.
Operational Continuity: Through careful scheduling and coordination, construction activities were managed to support ownership's reopening goals with minimal disruption to the surrounding property and operations.
Coastal Complexity, Handled: The unique demands of an oceanfront coastal environment, permitting, moisture management, material selection, were addressed with the care and experience they required.
Project shots
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