Rising Together: A Year of Resilience and Rebuilding on the Westside

CAMPBELL WELLMAN PROPERTIES REBUILDING PACIFIC PALISADES CA 2025

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it’s impossible to look back at 2025 without a profound sense of awe at the spirit of our community.

The year began with a trial by fire—literally. The January 2025 Palisades and Malibu Fires were a transformative event that shook the very foundations of the neighborhoods we call home. Yet, in the wake of the smoke and the silence that followed, something remarkable happened. The Westside didn't just mourn; we mobilized.

Forged in the Fire: The Spirit of Entrepreneurship

In the history of Los Angeles, 2025 will be remembered as the year our local business leaders stepped up to rewrite the rules of recovery. We saw a "groundswell of action" that turned tragedy into a blueprint for a more resilient future.

  • Steadfast LA: Chaired by Rick Caruso, this first-of-its-kind nonprofit launched a bold private-sector coalition to cut through red tape and expedite the rebuilding of the Palisades and Malibu. From Small Business Recovery Grants to pioneering AI-driven permitting tools, Steadfast LA proved that when our best minds collaborate, "impossible" timelines disappear.

  • Spiegel Wellman Contractors: At Campbell Wellman, our commitment to this community has always been personal. This year, that commitment took a new form with the launch of our contractor arm, Spiegel Wellman. We recognized that "clearing the path" was the first step toward healing. By leading the charge in debris removal and site preparation, we’ve been honored to help our neighbors literally clear the way for their new beginnings.

  • A "Rising Together" Movement: On New Year’s Day, a 55-foot-long float titled Rising Together will glide down Colorado Boulevard in the Rose Parade. Featuring a phoenix rising over the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific coastline, it is a global tribute to the 13,000+ families who lost their homes and the collective strength that has defined our recovery.

The Power of Local Tenacity

What makes the Palisades, Malibu, Venice, and Santa Monica so special isn't just the sunset views—it’s the people who refuse to let them fade.

Throughout the year, we've seen local restaurants host "appreciation brunches" for firefighters, community groups like the Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group provide holiday cheer for seniors, and neighbors helping neighbors navigate the labyrinth of insurance and permits. This is the definition of Westside Tenacity.

Looking Toward 2026

The scars on our hillsides are still visible, but they are being joined by the sounds of hammers and the sights of new foundations. We aren’t just building back; we are building smarter. With new innovations in wildfire-resilient design and a community bond that is stronger than ever, 2026 looks to be a year of incredible renewal.

To our clients, our colleagues, and our neighbors: Thank you for your generosity, your entrepreneurship, and your unwavering belief in our hometown. We are honored to be in this renewal process with you, and we are looking forward to an incredibly powerful 2026.