San Diego’s first suburb deserves builders who understand its soul. From Craftsman bungalows to Spanish revivals, we preserve what matters while creating homes for today.
Mission Hills isn’t just San Diego’s most walkable neighborhood. It’s a living museum of architectural styles, from the 1910s through today.
Walk down any street and you’ll see it: pristine Craftsman bungalows with their deep eaves and river rock foundations. Spanish Colonial revivals with their red tile roofs and arched doorways. Mediterranean villas that could have been transported from Tuscany. Even the occasional mid-century modern that somehow fits perfectly among its older neighbors.
Building in Mission Hills means respecting this architectural tapestry. Understanding that a home here isn’t just your property. It’s part of the neighborhood’s story.
Mission Hills isn’t like building in a new subdivision. Here, every project carries the weight of history and the expectations of a community that fiercely protects its character.
That charming 1920s Craftsman you want to renovate? It might be in a designated historic district. The Spanish Colonial you’re eyeing for expansion? The Mills Act could affect your plans. That empty lot on Fort Stockton? The neighbors will have opinions about what you build there.
Multiple Mission Hills areas have historic designations. We understand which elements must be preserved, which can be sensitively modified, and how to navigate the approval process without losing your vision or your timeline.
Those canyon views come with complexity. Many Mission Hills lots require sophisticated foundation work, retaining walls, and drainage solutions. We’ve been solving these challenges for four generations.
New construction in Mission Hills must respect the neighborhood’s established character. We design homes that feel like they’ve always belonged here while incorporating every modern amenity you expect.
Urban lots mean close neighbors. We own our own equipment, maintain immaculate job sites, and schedule deliveries to minimize neighborhood disruption. Your neighbors will still like you when we’re done.
From historic renovations to sensitive new construction, we’ve mastered every type of Mission Hills project.
Historic Craftsman Renovations
Those iconic bungalows with their built-in cabinetry and original woodwork deserve careful stewardship. We preserve character-defining features while creating modern kitchens, updated systems, and livable floor plans. The result? A home that honors its heritage while serving your family’s needs.
Spanish Colonial Transformations
Mission Hills’ Spanish Colonial homes offer unique opportunities: interior courtyards, thick adobe-style walls, hand-painted tiles. We’ve transformed dated interiors into flowing open plans while respecting the romantic exteriors that make these homes so desirable.
Contemporary Infill Construction
New construction in established neighborhoods requires finesse. We design contemporary homes that complement their historic neighbors through appropriate massing, quality materials, and thoughtful details. Modern living, neighborhood harmony.
Canyon-View Custom Homes
Mission Hills’ canyon lots offer dramatic views and unique building challenges. We’ve engineered homes that seem to float above the canyons, capturing views from every room while ensuring structural integrity for generations.
Building or renovating in Mission Hills requires a thoughtful approach. Here’s how we make it happen:
For renovations, we start by understanding your home’s history and structure. What’s original? What’s been modified? What must be preserved? For new construction, we analyze the lot, the neighbors, and the neighborhood character. This groundwork prevents surprises later.
Our in-house design team creates plans that balance your vision with neighborhood compatibility. We know what the Mission Hills planning groups expect and design accordingly, saving you months of revisions.
Historic districts, design review boards, sometimes the Historical Resources Board. We navigate them all. Our relationships with city planners and preservation officials keep projects moving forward.
Our craftsmen understand historic construction techniques and when modern methods serve better. Hand restoration of original millwork. Period-appropriate hardware. Details that honor the home’s heritage while meeting today’s standards.
Each pocket of Mission Hills has its own character. We know them all:
The heart of historic Mission Hills, with some of San Diego’s finest examples of early 20th-century architecture.
Stunning canyon views and larger lots, popular with families seeking space near urban amenities.
True to its name, with western exposures with dramatic sunset vistas over Point Loma.
The urban edge where walkability to restaurants and shops meets residential tranquility.
Adjacent to the park, with homes that embrace both history and natural surroundings.
Each street tells a story. Each home adds a chapter. We help you write yours.
Historic neighborhoods attract builders who claim to “specialize” in renovations. But there’s a difference between marketing and mastery.
We’ve been building in San Diego since 1929. We’ve watched Mission Hills evolve from streetcar suburb to one of California’s most desirable urban neighborhoods. We understand not just how these homes were built, but why: the philosophy behind Craftsman simplicity, the romance of Spanish Colonial, the optimism of mid-century modern.
That historical perspective informs every decision. When should you restore versus replace? Which modifications honor the original design? How do you add 21st-century amenities without destroying 20th-century charm?
These aren’t questions you can answer from a textbook. They require generations of experience. Four generations, to be specific.
Mission Hills real estate isn’t just housing. It’s heritage. And heritage properties demand thoughtful stewardship.
The right renovation can dramatically increase your home’s value while preserving the character that makes Mission Hills special. The wrong one can destroy both historical integrity and resale potential.
We build for the long term. Using restoration techniques that will stand scrutiny from future buyers, appraisers, and preservation officials. Creating improvements that enhance value rather than raise questions.
Every GDC project in Mission Hills becomes part of our portfolio and your home’s provenance. That matters when you’re building in a neighborhood where history is an asset.
We’re not just builders. We’re your complete design build team.
Architecture & Design
Our in-house team creates cohesive visions that work aesthetically, structurally, and financially.
Engineering
Critical in Mission Hills, where hillside lots, historic preservation requirements, and canyon 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.
One team. One vision. One point of responsibility. No finger-pointing, no confusion, just clear accountability from start to finish and beyond.
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.
Whether you’re restoring a historic gem or building new in this treasured neighborhood, every great project starts with a conversation.
We’d love to see your home. Walk through its history with you. Discuss what’s possible and what makes sense. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest assessment from builders who’ve been doing this for nearly a century.
