Recently breaking ground on the first of more than 30 Altadena rebuilds, Genesis Builders has opened a design gallery featuring finishes for its 24 pre-approved plans.
By Leah Draffen
March 19, 2026
Genesis Builders is gaining momentum in its mission to help Altadena families rebuild after the Eaton Fire, marking key milestones with its first home groundbreaking and the opening of a dedicated design gallery to support homeowners through every step of the rebuilding process.
The turnkey rebuilding firm has officially broken ground on the first of more than 30 planned home rebuilds in the community, while also launching a new full-service design gallery in Pasadena. Together, these efforts reflect Genesis Builders’ growing presence on the ground and its commitment to streamlining what can otherwise be a complex and overwhelming recovery journey.
“We are thrilled to begin construction on the first of many Genesis home rebuilds in Altadena,” said Devang Shah, principal at Genesis Builders. “We understand the immense challenges families face after losing their homes in the Eaton Fire, and our goal is to help them return home faster and with fewer hurdles.”
The first home to break ground belongs to Rebecca Zandovskis, Genesis Builders’ senior director of business development, who lost her own home in the fire. Now, she is navigating the rebuilding process firsthand while also guiding dozens of other families through theirs.
“It is especially fitting that Rebecca’s home is the first to break ground,” says Sean Burton, CEO of Cityview, which established Genesis Builders in partnership with Montage Development. “She has helped shape Genesis from the beginning, and now she is walking homeowners through every step of their rebuilds while going through the same experience herself.”
The two-story Mediterranean-style home is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and is part of Genesis Builders’ 12-month completion guarantee once construction begins. The firm offers 24 home plans pre-approved by Los Angeles County, significantly reducing permitting timelines and minimizing delays.
Complementing its construction progress, Genesis Builders has opened a new design gallery in Pasadena, providing homeowners with a centralized, hands-on space to explore and personalize their future homes.
The gallery features more than 100 interior finishes and a fully built sample kitchen, allowing families to visualize their spaces and make design decisions with confidence. It also serves as a hub for the Genesis Builders team to connect directly with clients and coordinate ongoing rebuild efforts.
For many families, the opportunity to engage in the design process is an important step toward recovery. “We’ve found that clients are incredibly excited to experience the interior options in person, as it truly helps them envision and feel inspired about their rebuild,” says Stephen Ross, principal at Genesis Builders. “For families rebuilding after a loss, that sense of choice and agency is especially meaningful. It brings a measure of healing and renewed excitement to what can otherwise be a very difficult process.”
Genesis Builders is currently working with more than 30 Altadena families and is in active discussions with many more as rebuilding efforts continue to scale. Each home is built to Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) base fire-resistance standards and includes a 10-year warranty, along with options for personalized finishes, upgrades, and pre-approved accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
“Rebuilding after a fire can feel overwhelming, especially given the complexities of permitting, design decisions, and construction timelines,” Burton says. “Our goal is to simplify that journey by providing pre-approved plans, transparent pricing, and a dedicated, local team homeowners can trust so families can focus on moving forward and rebuilding their lives with confidence.”
