About us

We are a boutique, full-service construction firm specializing in high-end custom and spec homes in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.

At RJ Smith Construction, our team of dedicated builders and project managers are personally invested in every project from concept to completion. We take pride in our meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each home is not only beautifully designed but also exceptionally functional. With a highly personalized and creative approach, we seamlessly blend innovative design elements with superior craftsmanship, delivering a truly unique and enjoyable building experience.

Our portfolio includes homes built for professional athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs, each tailored to reflect their distinct lifestyles and preferences. This fusion of visionary design and passion for custom homebuilding ensures that every RJ Smith Construction project stands apart as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

  • upscale bathroom
  • east coast style bedroom in Hermosa Beach

RJ Smith

Founder

RJ Smith, founder of RJ Smith Construction, a boutique construction firm renowned for crafting unique, high-quality homes in California’s South Bay, particularly in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California.

From a young age, RJ aspired to build and design custom homes, drawing inspiration from his mother, a designer, and his stepfather, a custom builder.

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Robin Smith

Founder/Realtor

As Co-Owner of RJ Smith Construction, Robin leverages her real estate expertise to guide both the acquisition of new lots and the successful sale of completed builds, bringing valuable insight to every stage of the development process. With a warm smile, zest for life, and intrepid spirit, Robin and real estate were a natural fit.

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Julie Thornton

Maintenance Director / Project Manager

Luis grew up in the city of Hawthorne. After graduating high school he attended El Camino CC where he would begin his study in the world of administrative justice.

He soon realized that he needed to change his major before spending the next few years doing something he did not entirely love.

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Luis Topete

Maintenance Director / Project Manager

Luis grew up in the city of Hawthorne. After graduating high school he attended El Camino CC where he would begin his study in the world of administrative justice.

He soon realized that he needed to change his major before spending the next few years doing something he did not entirely love.

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Andreas Piaz

Project Manager

Andreas began his love for development build and design while working for a real estate bank. Following his curiosity, Andreas dove into real estate development with the desire to work on more hands on/on-site projects.

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Geoff Chait

Project Manager

A lifelong passion for building, creating and functionality has led Geoff to pursuing a dream career as a home builder. Creating functional and practical works of art that stand the test of time from a design and aesthetic standpoint is his ultimate goal.

Geoff is constantly inspired by the thought of future generations

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Rose Gavagan

Project Manager

Rose hails from Houston, where she earned a Master of Architecture degree and worked for an award-winning firm.

She left the heat behind and moved to the South Bay in 2015.

After teaching design at a high school for a few years, Rose joined a local, high-performing real estate group to prepare homes for marketing and sale.

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Shaun Sexton

Project Manager

Shaun has been immersed in the building industry his whole life—it’s in his blood!

As a third-generation builder with a family legacy spanning a century, he’s passionate about turning dreams into reality through thoughtful architectural design and hands-on construction project management.

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Katie Donahue

Project Manager

Katie comes to us with an extensive background in the corporate retail world. Her experience managing businesses, budgets, people, and a product development process all contributed to a seamless career change.

The path her business degree led her down provided fulfillment for many years, but she was determined to pursue her longtime dream of building homes.

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Mike Capobianco

Project Manager

Growing up, Mike became interested in both the world of architectural and interior design.  Being part of a family that works in the real estate development industry also allowed Mike to learn from the individuals around him.

Mike went on to pursue an undergraduate degree in finance while gaining a graduate degree in business administration.

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Elena Wohl

Luxury Home Coordinator

Elena is a highly organized property management professional with a knack for keeping homes in top shape.

She originally got into the field by helping friends care for their properties while they traveled, making property management a natural fit.

She also worked for Apple for a couple of years, honing her attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

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Michael Boch

On Site Controller

Michael worked many years for his family-owned business, editing film for weddings and ultimately filming on site for various events.

Although Michael loves working alongside his close knit family, he decided to follow his interest for development.

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Rola Benson

Director of Operations

With over three decades of corporate-level experience in real estate, Rola brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep appreciation for the power of relationships to her role as Director of Operations at RJ Smith Construction. She firmly believes that genuine connection fosters opportunity and approaches every interaction with an open heart and mind.

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Richard Smith

Quality Control Manager

As a nearly starving college professor, Richard learned to become a finished carpenter to supplement his income. Following the normal progression, his jobs became bigger and bigger and eventually he would end up receiving his general contracting license.

After an early retirement from teaching in 2003,

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Pat Leighton

Finance Director

Pat is the driving force behind the numbers at RJ Smith Construction, heading up our accounting team with over 20 years of experience in escrow, real estate, and property management.

She’s passionate about the details and understands how critical sound financial processes are to bringing our clients’ dream homes to life.

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Nina Law

Project Accountant

Nina, who joined our team as office manager in early 2024, has seamlessly transitioned to the accounting department as a Project Accountant, quickly proving to be a valuable asset.

Her enthusiasm for learning and her willingness to lend a hand wherever needed have made her an integral part of the team.

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The Latest on Instagram

A kitchen designed to cater to your family and friends’ needs, creating the perfect space for making memories and enjoying delicious meals together.
Featuring custom cabinetry, a spacious island, high-end appliances, and our favorite addition—a pass-through window. We’ve mentioned this feature often because it provides exceptional convenience, making it easy to serve drinks and food while maintaining a lively and engaging atmosphere
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Photography | @laurentaylorcreative 
Interior Design | @juliedonovandesign 
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#igbuilders #homegoals #customhomes #exteriordesign #developer #homesweethome #instahome #dreamhome #coastalLiving #instabuild #designers #familyhome
We believe that it’s the hidden details in every home that infuse character and charm. 
Our Spanish-inspired Hermosa home beautifully embodies this philosophy, featuring custom pendant lights lining the hallway that leads directly to the primary suite.
Built to evoke the essence of a “staycation,” these delicate touches serve as a reminder of the comfort and style that await in every corner.
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Architecture | @jfournierdesign 
Interior Design | @timclarkedesign 
Photography | @noahwebb 
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#customhomes #architecture #yourhome #hermosa #landscape #bbq #homedesign #homeinspo #builders #homegoals #luxuryliving #pool #exterior #landscapephotography #homebuilder #architecture
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