From the historic cottages of La Playa to the contemporary estates of Sunset Cliffs, GDC Construction transforms Point Loma’s unique properties into extraordinary homes.
Point Loma isn't just another San Diego neighborhood. It's a peninsula with personality.
Where else can you find Portuguese fishing heritage next to naval history? Sunset Cliffs drama alongside Shelter Island serenity? Mid-century modern gems sharing streets with 1920s Spanish revivals? This is Point Loma...complex, beautiful, and absolutely worth getting right.
That's why Point Loma homeowners don't just hire any builder. They choose GDC Construction. Because when you're building on a peninsula that defines San Diego's character, you need a builder who understands that every lot, every view, every historic detail matters.
We've been San Diego's premier custom home builders for nearly a century. Four generations of the Dewhurst family. And while our roots run deep in La Jolla, our expertise extends throughout coastal San Diego—especially here in Point Loma, where the building challenges are as dramatic as the ocean views.</br
Let's be honest. Building in Point Loma can be... interesting. Those Sunset Cliffs lots with the million-dollar views? They're perched on coastal bluffs that require serious engineering. The charming Roseville cottage you want to expand? It might be in a flight path that limits your height. That La Playa property near the yacht club? Historical overlay zones and coastal regulations mean your plans need finesse, not just square footage.
Pancho Dewhurst, our fourth-generation president, explains it simply: "Point Loma is like three different neighborhoods wearing a trench coat. You've got the coastal properties with salt air and erosion concerns. The bay side with its maritime heritage. And the interior neighborhoods each with their own character. You can't apply a one-size-fits-all approach here."
Sunset Cliffs properties aren’t just about the views. They’re about understanding setback requirements, bluff retention, and building structures that can handle both earthquakes and erosion. We work with specialized geological engineers who know every inch of Point Loma’s coastline.
Lindbergh Field’s proximity means many Point Loma properties have strict height limitations. We maximize your building envelope within these constraints, creating homes that feel spacious despite restrictions. Sometimes it’s about going out, not up.
The Roseville and La Playa areas contain some of San Diego’s most significant historic architecture. We navigate the Mills Act, historical designations, and preservation requirements while still delivering modern luxury. That 1925 craftsman? We’ll preserve its soul while giving you a kitchen from this century.
Salt air is beautiful. It’s also brutal on buildings. We specify materials and finishes that can handle Point Loma’s marine environment—from corrosion-resistant hardware to specially treated wood that won’t deteriorate after two winters.
Each Point Loma neighborhood tells its own story. And we know how to write the next chapter.
Sunset Cliffs
This is Point Loma's crown jewel. Where else can you watch gray whales migrate from your living room? Building here means respecting the drama of the landscape. We've created contemporary masterpieces with walls of glass that seem to dissolve into the Pacific. Mediterranean villas with courtyards that capture both sunrise and sunset. Even modest beach bungalow renovations that maximize those blue-water views without overwhelming the neighborhood's eclectic character. But Sunset Cliffs construction isn't for amateurs. Between the geological surveys, coastal commission approvals, and engineering requirements, you need a builder who's been here before. Multiple times.
La Playa
Old Point Loma. Historic Point Loma. The neighborhood where San Diego's tuna fishing fleet captains built their homes. Here, custom homes require a delicate touch. We're not just building; we're stewarding history. That might mean preserving original hardwood floors while installing radiant heating beneath. Or maintaining a home's 1920s facade while completely reimagining the interior flow for modern living. Our work in La Playa respects the past without being imprisoned by it. Because your family deserves the same quality of life those fishing captains were seeking—just with better insulation and a kitchen that can handle more than a coffee pot.
The Wooded Area
Mature trees. Established lots. Families who've been here for generations. The Wooded Area offers something rare in coastal San Diego: space. These larger lots allow for true estate living—guest houses, pools, outdoor kitchens, maybe that art studio you've always dreamed about. But they also come with responsibilities. Protecting mature trees. Managing drainage. Being a good neighbor in a tight-knit community. We get it. Our Vice President, Heath Akers, puts it this way: "In the Wooded Area, you're not just building a house. You're joining a neighborhood. That means respecting what's there while adding your own chapter."
Loma Portal
The gateway to Point Loma is experiencing a renaissance. Young families discovering what previous generations already knew: this is one of San Diego's best-kept secrets. Custom homes here blend traditional San Diego architecture with modern efficiency. Think Spanish Colonial with Tesla chargers. Craftsman bungalows with smart home systems. We're helping Loma Portal evolve while maintaining the community feel that makes it special.
Liberty Station
The former Naval Training Center transformed into San Diego's newest cultural hub. Building here means working within a master-planned community while still expressing individual style. Whether it's a modern townhome or a custom residence in one of the new developments, Liberty Station construction requires understanding both HOA requirements and military heritage preservation. Plus, with the parks, museums, and markets right there, these homes need to flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor living.
Sure, we could talk about our four generations of experience. Our La Jolla heritage. Our portfolio stretching from Carlsbad to Imperial Beach. But here's what really matters to Point Loma homeowners:
Not just on day one when everyone’s excited. We show up on day 147 when the permit’s delayed. On day 263 when we discover your dream window creates a structural challenge. And five years later when you want to add that ADU for your college kid who’s moving back home.
Every custom home has surprises. Open up a wall in a 1940s Point Loma home, and you might find anything from pristine craftsmanship to “creative” previous renovations. We’ve seen it all. Fixed it all. Without drama, without excuses, and usually without you even knowing there was a problem.
Point Loma residents chose this peninsula for a reason. The maritime culture. The village feel. The way fog rolls in over the cliffs. We don’t build houses that could be anywhere. We build homes that could only be here.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—Point Loma has opinions. Planning groups. Design review boards. Neighborhood associations. Historical committees. We navigate these waters professionally, leveraging decades of relationships to keep your project moving. No burned bridges. No bitter battles. Just steady progress toward your dream home.
We start by listening. What brought you to Point Loma? That sunset view from Sunset Cliffs? The community at Liberty Station? The yacht harbor at Shelter Island? Then we look at your lot. Really look at it. Morning light, afternoon shadows, prevailing winds, neighbor considerations. Because a great custom home doesn’t fight its location—it embraces it.
Our in-house design team, led by Brandy Dewhurst, translates your vision into reality. But this isn’t just about pretty pictures. It’s about understanding Point Loma’s specific requirements. Will the Peninsula Planning Board embrace this design? Does it respect the neighborhood’s character? Can we actually build it within budget? We answer these questions early. Before you fall in love with something impossible.
Here’s where experience pays off. Point Loma’s approval process involves multiple agencies. City planning. Coastal Commission (for some properties). Airport Land Use Commission. Historical Resources Board. We’ve been through this process hundreds of times. We know which battles to fight and which compromises lead to better outcomes. Most importantly, we keep things moving. Because every month of delay costs money and postpones your dream.
This is where four generations of craftsmanship shines. Our core team—actual GDC employees, not random subcontractors—handles the critical work. They know our standards. They know Point Loma. And they know that their work will be standing here long after we’re all gone. Using Buildertrend software, you’ll have complete visibility into the process. Daily photos. Schedule updates. Budget tracking. No surprises, no mystery, just steady progress you can monitor from anywhere.
The best part? When you’re sipping coffee on your new deck, watching the sea lions play in the kelp beds below. Or hosting your first dinner party in that kitchen you designed together. This is why we build—not just to create structures, but to enhance lives.
Point Loma real estate isn’t just an investment. It’s a bet on one of California’s last great peninsulas. Limited land. Protected views. A community that fights to maintain its character. These factors create value that compounds over time. But only if you build right. We think in decades, not years. Using materials that age gracefully in salt air. Creating designs that will still feel fresh in 2040. Building relationships with neighbors that protect your investment long after we’ve moved on to the next project. Every GDC home in Point Loma becomes part of our portfolio. Our reputation. Our legacy. That’s why we build each one like it’s our own. Because in a way, it is.
Indoor-Outdoor Living
Point Loma's climate is absurdly perfect. 70 degrees and sunny? That's just Tuesday. Your custom home should celebrate this gift. We design homes that blur the boundaries. Pocket doors that disappear completely. Outdoor kitchens that rival indoor ones. Master suites that open directly to private gardens. Because in Point Loma, your outdoor space isn't an afterthought—it's half your home.
Multi-Generational Planning
Point Loma families tend to stay. Kids grow up, move away, then come back to raise their own families. We see it constantly. That's why we plan for evolution. First-floor master suites for aging in place. Flexible spaces that transform from playrooms to home offices to guest suites. ADU potential for adult children or rental income. Your custom home should adapt to your life, not limit it.
Sustainable Building
Living on a peninsula makes you think about resources differently. Water, energy, waste—it all feels more immediate when you're surrounded by ocean. We integrate sustainable solutions that make sense. Solar panels positioned for maximum efficiency. Greywater systems for drought-resistant landscaping. Materials sourced responsibly and built to last. Not because it's trendy, but because it's smart.
GDC Construction isn't just another contractor driving in from East County. We're part of San Diego's coastal community fabric. We've built the monuments you pass daily. Fixed the landmarks you love.
Our fourth-generation president, Pancho Dewhurst, might have been the kid who went to school with your neighbor. Or competed against your cousin in Little League. This isn't just business—it's personal. That connection matters. When we're working in Point Loma, we're not just thinking about your project. We're thinking about the neighborhood. The community. The peninsula that we'll all share for generations. We park considerately. We keep job sites clean. We own our own dump truck so we're not leaving debris boxes in front of your neighbor's house for months. Small things? Maybe. But they're the difference between a contractor and a partner.
While every custom home is unique, our standards never waver. Take that recent Sunset Cliffs transformation. A dated 1960s ranch became a contemporary showpiece with floor-to-ceiling windows and a cantilevered deck that seems to float above the Pacific. The engineering alone took months. But now? It’s one of Point Loma’s most photographed homes. Or consider the La Playa historic renovation. A 1926 Spanish Colonial that needed everything—foundation, systems, layout—while maintaining its historic designation. We preserved every possible original detail while creating a home that actually works for modern life. The Historical Resources Board called it “exemplary preservation.” These aren’t just projects. They’re promises kept. To homeowners who trusted us with their dreams. To neighborhoods that trusted us with their character. To a peninsula that trusted us with its future.
We're not just builders. We're your complete custom home team.
One team. One vision. One point of responsibility. No finger-pointing, no confusion, just clear accountability from start to finish and beyond.
We could share dozens of testimonials. But here's what they all say, in different words: GDC gets it. They understand that building a custom home is probably the biggest investment, financially and emotionally, you'll ever make. They respect that. They protect that.
They deliver on that. One recent client put it perfectly: "GDC managed our Sunset Cliffs project with a level of professionalism that's rare in construction. Clean job sites, clear communication, and craftsmanship that exceeded expectations. But what really stood out? They cared about our home like it was their own." That's not marketing speak. That's just how we work. How we've always worked. How four generations of Dewhursts have built their reputation one home at a time.
Let’s build something extraordinary together. Something that belongs here. Something that enhances the peninsula we all love. Something that could only be Point Loma.
