Leucadia marches to its own beat – funky, creative, and fiercely protective of its character. We build homes that get it.
Leucadia is what happens when a beach town refuses to grow up. And we mean that as the highest compliment.
Those iconic eucalyptus trees lining Highway 101? Planted in the early 1900s, still standing, still defining the character. The mom-and-pop shops that haven’t been replaced by chains. The art galleries and yoga studios and surf shops that actually serve locals, not just tourists.
This is Encinitas’ creative heart. Where artists can still afford to live near the beach. Where musicians play at Pannikin on Sunday mornings. Where the community fights to stay authentic.
Building custom homes in Leucadia means understanding this isn’t about impressing the neighbors. It’s about creating a space that feels authentic. That might be a little quirky. That prioritizes character over conformity.
The community watches development carefully. They’ve fought to preserve those eucalyptus trees, that Highway 101 character, those funky storefronts. A builder who doesn’t understand Leucadia’s values will struggle here.
Leucadia’s eclectic character is protected by community activism and design guidelines. We design homes that honor the neighborhood’s artistic heritage while delivering the quality and comfort you deserve.
Leucadia’s bluffs offer spectacular views but require sophisticated engineering. We’ve built on these bluffs for decades, understanding the setbacks, erosion concerns, and structural requirements that define blufftop construction.
Properties along the 101 corridor must respect the iconic eucalyptus canopy. We design and build in harmony with these protected trees, often incorporating them as landscape features rather than obstacles.
Leucadia’s lots range from small beach cottages to larger hillside properties. Each requires different approaches – we adapt our construction methods to maximize every site’s potential while respecting its constraints.
From artist studios to family compounds, we’ve built homes that celebrate Leucadia’s unique character.
Leucadia’s bluffs offer dramatic ocean views with their own special character – more rugged than La Jolla, more authentic than Del Mar. We build homes that embrace this wildness while providing the comfort and quality you expect.
The cottages along the 101 define Leucadia’s character. We transform these older homes – opening floor plans, updating systems, adding modern amenities – while respecting their beach-town soul. Modern living, Leucadia authenticity.
Leucadia attracts creatives who need spaces that inspire. We’ve built homes with dedicated art studios, music rooms, yoga spaces, and work areas that support creative lives. Function and inspiration in perfect balance.
Modern architecture can work beautifully in Leucadia when it respects the neighborhood’s scale and character. We design contemporary homes with clean lines and quality materials that feel fresh without overwhelming their surroundings.
Building in Leucadia should be as creative as the community itself. Here’s our approach:
What drew you to Leucadia? The surf? The creative energy? The funky character? We start by understanding your connection to this place. That shapes designs that feel authentically yours and authentically Leucadia.
Our team creates designs that respect Leucadia’s character. Not cookie-cutter luxury, but thoughtful homes that could only be here. We work with the eucalyptus trees, the funky neighbor houses, the community’s artistic sensibility.
Leucadia neighbors are engaged and protective. We maintain clean sites, reasonable hours, and respectful practices throughout construction. When we’re done, your neighbors should be admirers, not adversaries.
Four generations of craftsmanship inform every detail. Materials selected for coastal durability. Construction techniques proven over decades. Homes built to serve your family for generations.
Every corner of Leucadia has its own personality. We honor that in everything we build.
Leucadia offers surprising variety in a compact area:
The iconic eucalyptus-lined street that defines Leucadia’s character, with cottages and shops.
Beach-close streets with ocean access and that authentic surf community feel.
Oceanfront and bluff-edge properties with dramatic Pacific views.
Artist studios and creative businesses mixed with residential character.
Hillside properties with larger lots and views toward the ocean.
Leucadia attracts independent thinkers. People who chose this specific community for its authenticity, its creativity, its refusal to homogenize. They want builders who understand that.
We’ve been building on this coast since 1929 – long enough to understand that great homes don’t fight their neighborhoods. They enhance them. That’s especially true in Leucadia, where character matters more than square footage.
Our approach respects Leucadia’s values. Quality materials, thoughtful design, construction that doesn’t disrupt the neighborhood. Not the fastest way to build, but the right way.
Four generations of experience. Nearly a century of craftsmanship. That’s what we bring to your Leucadia home – along with genuine respect for what makes this community special.
Leucadia real estate has appreciated dramatically as people discover this special community. Authentic character, beach access, creative energy – the fundamentals support continued demand.
But coastal construction that cuts corners eventually fails. Salt air corrodes inferior materials. Marine moisture finds every weakness. The homes that maintain value are built right from the start.
We build for longevity. Using materials proven in marine environments. Techniques that prevent the problems we’ve seen in lesser-built homes. Quality that future buyers will recognize and value.
Your Leucadia home should be both creative expression and solid investment. GDC craftsmanship ensures both.
We’re not just builders. We’re your complete design build team.
One team. One vision. One point of responsibility. No finger-pointing, no confusion, just clear accountability from start to finish and beyond.
Architecture & Design
Our in-house team creates cohesive visions that work aesthetically, structurally, and financially.
Engineering
Critical in Leucadia, where coastal bluffs, eucalyptus corridor preservation, and varied lot conditions demand expertise.
Construction
Our core team of craftsmen, supplemented by trusted specialists we’ve worked with for decades.
Project Management
Using Buildertrend technology for complete transparency and communication.
Ongoing Service
Our service department handles everything from warranty work to future renovations.
Great homes aren’t built by companies. They’re built by people.
Pancho Dewhurst leads GDC with a unique perspective. Fourth-generation builder, yes, but also world traveler, former professional snowboarder, and someone who chose this work rather than inherited it. He brings fresh eyes to traditional craftsmanship.
Brandy Dewhurst heads our design team, ensuring aesthetic vision aligns with structural reality. Because the most beautiful design is worthless if it can’t be built properly.
Heath Akers, our Vice President, represents the future of GDC. Twenty-six years in construction, following his father and grandfather. He knows building from the ground up—literally—and manages our growing team of craftsmen with the respect that comes from doing the work himself.
But beyond the leadership, it’s our craftsmen who make the difference. Finish carpenters who treat wood like sculpture. Tile setters who ensure every grout line is perfect. Painters who understand that “white” comes in 500 shades, and choosing the right one matters. These aren’t random subcontractors. They’re our team. Our reputation. Our family.
“We love our home and receive many compliments about the curb appeal and detail of the construction. GDC was very responsive during the bidding process, effectively managed the job, and produced the highest quality work while maintaining a very clean environment. The level of professionalism exhibited throughout the entire GDC team is exceptional.”
In Leucadia, good enough isn’t good enough. That’s why we’ve developed systems that ensure excellence at every stage:
This isn't just customer service. It's partnership. Because in Leucadia, reputation is everything. Yours and ours.
Whether you’re renovating a Highway 101 cottage, building on the bluffs, or creating something entirely unique, let’s talk about possibilities.
We’ll walk your property, discuss your vision, and provide honest guidance about what works in Leucadia. No pressure, no obligation – just professional insights from builders who respect this community.
