Over a year has passed since the devastating wildfires that tore through Pacific Palisades, and Thomas James Homes is expanding its role in the area beyond reconstruction.
The Aliso Viejo-based homebuilder recently unveiled a new community space, The Palisades Gathering Place, designed to support residents navigating the long road to recovery.
Located at Iliff Street, the new space debuted with a weekend event that drew in more than 130 residents and community advocates. The launch comes as TJH positions itself as an instrumental part of the Palisades’ rebuilding efforts. The company said that it’s already assisting more than 30 families in reconstructing their homes lost to the fires – part of a broader wave of redevelopment in the coastal enclave.
TJH Chief Executive Steve Schlageter said the Gathering Place reflects a wider commitment to restoring community infrastructure – not just housing stock. “We’ve been humbled by the trust the Palisades community has placed in us,” Schlageter said in a statement. “This goes beyond business; these are people’s homes, their memories, their neighborhood.”
In January 2025, wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions tore through Pacific Palisades and Altadena, becoming one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles County history. Together, the blazes destroyed tens of thousands of acres, including homes and commercial structures. More than 100,000 residents were displaced and over three dozen lives lost. In Pacific Palisades alone, nearly 6,800 structures were lost and 12 people died.
Filling the gap
For many homeowners and business owners, the recovery process has been slow and uneven.
Late last year, TJH announced that the first home in Palisades had received its certificate of occupancy, the final step in the rebuilding process. The firm hosted a tour of its model home and it opened a Brentwood design studio, aiming to initiate 100 home rebuilds within the next year.
The Gathering Place aims to fill a gap in the Palisades community, offering residents a free space to convene. Residents can host neighborhood support meetings, rebuilding workshops, planning sessions, and other such local events and initiatives tied to the recovery efforts.
At its grand opening, the space doubled as a cultural showcase, featuring work from local artists, including pieces from high school seniors from the Palisades.
“The Gathering Place is a small way of giving something back while the work continues,” said Schlageter, who took over as TJH chief executive in February, replacing Jamie Mead.
