In a community where excellence is the minimum standard, GDC Construction delivers estates that stand apart—even among the extraordinary.
Rancho Santa Fe doesn’t do ordinary. This is where tech titans build compounds next to Hollywood royalty. Where Olympic equestrians neighbor Fortune 500 CEOs. Where six acres is considered “cozy” and privacy is worth more than square footage.
If you’re reading this, you’re not looking for a house. You’re looking for an estate that makes a statement—quietly, elegantly, permanently. The kind of place where your grandchildren will marry. Where business empires are contemplated over morning coffee. Where you finally, truly, arrive.
That’s what we build. Have been building, actually, for nearly a century.
GDC Construction might be La Jolla’s oldest construction family, but we’ve been crafting Rancho Santa Fe estates long enough to know every eucalyptus-lined street, every HOA nuance, every architectural review hurdle. Because in the Ranch, as locals call it, you don’t just need a builder. You need someone who speaks the language.
Let me save you some time and heartache: Rancho Santa Fe isn’t like building anywhere else in San Diego County.
Those pristine, manicured estates you admire? They exist because of the Protective Covenant—a document from 1928 that still governs every structure, every tree, every mailbox. Yes, mailbox. The Art Jury doesn’t just review your plans; they scrutinize them with the intensity of museum curators.
Pancho Dewhurst, our fourth-generation president, has presented to the Art Jury dozens of times. “They’re not trying to be difficult,” he explains. “They’re protecting something special. Once you understand that—once you really get what makes Rancho Santa Fe different—you can create something magnificent within those parameters.”
This isn’t your typical HOA review. The Rancho Santa Fe Association’s Art Jury examines everything—architectural style, materials, landscaping, even the color of your roof tiles. We know what flies and what fails. More importantly, we know how to present designs that honor the community’s vision while achieving yours.
On your five acres, you can’t just build five acres of house. Strict ratios govern structures, hardscaping, and landscaping. We maximize your building envelope while maintaining the open, rural character that defines the Ranch.
Those rolling hills are gorgeous. They’re also complicated. Every cut, every fill, every swale needs approval. Our engineering team has mapped half of Rancho Santa Fe at this point—we know where water flows and where problems hide.
After 2007’s Witch Creek Fire, building codes evolved dramatically. Ember-resistant vents, defensible space, Class A roofing—these aren’t suggestions. We incorporate fire safety elegantly, without making your home look like a bunker.
You can’t plop a glass cube next to a Spanish hacienda. Well, you can try, but the Art Jury will send you back to the drawing board. We understand the Ranch’s architectural vocabulary—Spanish, Ranch, Tuscan, Monterey Colonial—and how to innovate within tradition.
Every Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood has its own personality. Its own unwritten rules. Its own particular brand of luxury.
The Covenant
The heart of Rancho Santa Fe. The original. The one with the golf course, the Inn, and homes that have graced Architectural Digest for decades.
Building in the Covenant means respecting nearly a century of tradition. These aren’t just homes; they’re landmarks. We approach each project here with reverence—preserving mature landscaping, maintaining sight lines, ensuring your estate enhances rather than disrupts this historic enclave.
But tradition doesn’t mean trapped in the past. We’ve seamlessly integrated smart home technology into 1920s adobes. Created underground garages that don’t disturb a single heritage oak. Built modern kitchens that look like they’ve always been there. The Art Jury appreciates innovation that respects history. So do we.
Fairbanks Ranch
Where Rancho Santa Fe meets contemporary luxury. Broader streets, larger lots, and an HOA that’s slightly—slightly—more flexible with modern architecture.
Here, we can push boundaries. Glass walls that open completely to merge indoor and outdoor spaces. Infinity pools that cascade toward the polo fields. Contemporary interpretations of classic styles that wouldn’t fly in the Covenant but perfect for Fairbanks.
The country club culture here demands entertainment spaces that impress. We’re talking outdoor kitchens that rival resort restaurants. Home theaters that make you forget about driving to Del Mar. Wine cellars that become destination gathering spots. This is where we flex our technical muscles while maintaining that understated elegance Rancho Santa Fe demands.
The Crosby
Newer, exclusive, and home to some of the county’s most ambitious estates. The Crosby attracts builders who think big—and we mean big.
These lots accommodate true compounds. Main houses with separate guest estates. Equestrian facilities that rival professional training centers. Resort-style pools with pavilions, not just patios. The infrastructure requirements alone—utilities, access roads, drainage—require expertise most builders simply don’t have.
We do. Because when you’re building 20,000 square feet of living space, you can’t figure it out as you go.
Cielo
Perched above it all, Cielo offers something rare in Rancho Santa Fe: views. Ocean glimpses to the west, mountain vistas to the east, and the Ranch spreading below like a green tapestry.
But those views come with challenges. Slopes that require creative engineering. Wind exposure that demands strategic design. Height restrictions that mean every foot counts. We’ve built numerous estates in Cielo, each one maximizing views while maintaining privacy—because up here, you’re building a retreat, not a landmark.
Del Dios
Lake Hodges at your doorstep. A more relaxed vibe but the same Rancho Santa Fe standards. Del Dios attracts families who want the Ranch lifestyle with a touch more freedom.
Custom homes here embrace the natural landscape rather than manicuring it into submission. We’re talking organic architecture that follows the land’s contours. Materials that age naturally. Designs that blur the line between built and natural environments. It’s a different kind of luxury—one that whispers rather than announces.
Every Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood has its own personality. Its own unwritten rules. Its own particular brand of luxury.
Forget cookie-cutter McMansions. We’re talking about homes with gravitas.
Entry sequences that build anticipation—private drives lined with specimen trees, motor courts that accommodate a dozen vehicles without looking like parking lots, front doors that belong in museums. Great rooms with 25-foot ceilings that still feel intimate. Master suites that are actually suites, not just big bedrooms—sitting areas, offices, morning bars, terraces, and bathrooms that rival luxury spas.
Every detail considered. Every material authentic. Every space purposeful.
Your guests—whether family, friends, or business associates—expect privacy and luxury. Not a converted garage with a Murphy bed.
We design guest houses as carefully as main residences. Full kitchens for extended stays. Private entrances that maintain independence. Quality finishes that match the main house because why would your standards drop just because it’s Tuesday and your in-laws are visiting?
Rancho Santa Fe and horses go together like… well, like Rancho Santa Fe and horses. There’s no better comparison.
Whether you’re boarding two trail horses or training Olympic jumpers, we understand equestrian architecture. Barns that provide optimal ventilation and natural light. Tack rooms that protect expensive equipment from our occasional humidity. Arenas with proper drainage and footing. Even viewing pavilions where you can watch training sessions in comfort.
Plus, we know the rules. Setbacks from property lines. Manure management systems. Trail access requirements. The details that separate real equestrian estates from houses that happen to have horses.
Why leave your estate when everything you need is there?
Pools that are architectural features, not afterthoughts. Swim-up bars, beach entries, infinity edges that seem to spill into the avocado groves. Pool houses that function as independent entertainment venues. Outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens, Argentine grills, teppanyaki stations—whatever your culinary dreams demand.
Tennis courts with viewing pavilions. Home gyms that rival Equinox. Spa facilities with saunas, steam rooms, and massage areas. Wine caves carved into hillsides. Car galleries for your collection. We’ve built them all, each one customized to our clients’ specific passions.
Building in Rancho Santa Fe is a marathon, not a sprint. But like any endurance event, proper preparation makes all the difference.
Before we draw a single line, we need to understand your life. Not just your wishlist, but your daily rhythms.
Do you work from home? Then your office better not face the pool where the kids play. Love hosting charity galas? Your public spaces need to flow differently than someone who values privacy above all. Passionate about cars? Let’s talk about displaying them, not just storing them.
Our design team, led by Brandy Dewhurst, excels at translating lifestyles into architecture. Because the best custom homes don’t just shelter; they enhance how you live.
Every Rancho Santa Fe lot tells a story. Elevation changes, view corridors, prevailing breezes, existing trees—they all influence design.
We study your land obsessively. Morning sun patterns. Afternoon shade. Winter versus summer conditions. Where noise travels from nearby roads. Which views to capture, which areas need screening. This isn’t desk work—it’s boots on the ground, often multiple times, in different conditions.
Here’s where experience matters. The Art Jury isn’t impressed by fancy renderings. They want to see how your home fits the Ranch.
We present plans that tell a story. Materials that reference local tradition. Landscaping that enhances rather than dominates. Colors that complement the natural palette. We know what triggers concerns and what earns approval. More importantly, we know how to navigate the revision process without losing your vision or your mind.
Rancho Santa Fe neighbors have expectations. And lawyers.
We maintain immaculate job sites. No music blaring at 7 AM. No workers parking on manicured verges. No mud tracked onto pristine streets. We even schedule deliveries to avoid school pickup times because that’s what good neighbors do.
The actual construction? That’s where four generations of experience shines. Our core team handles the complex work. Trusted specialists—many we’ve worked with for decades—manage their crafts. Everything coordinated through Buildertrend software so you can monitor progress whether you’re at the Ranch or in Rome.
After months (sometimes years) of planning and construction, there’s a moment. When you walk through your front door for the first time as a homeowner, not a client. When months of decisions crystallize into reality.
That moment—that’s why we do this. That’s what four generations of Dewhursts have been working toward. Creating not just houses, but homes worthy of Rancho Santa Fe.
Let’s talk numbers. Because while your Rancho Santa Fe estate is about lifestyle, it’s also likely your largest asset.
The Ranch consistently ranks among California’s most expensive zip codes. Median home prices hover around $3.5 million, with estates routinely selling for $10, $20, even $30 million. But here’s the thing—not all million-dollar construction is created equal.
The estates that appreciate most? They’re the ones built right. With materials that age gracefully. Designs that remain timeless rather than trendy. Infrastructure that won’t need replacing in ten years. The bones matter here, not just the finishes.
We build for decades, not years. Using techniques and materials that might cost more initially but pay dividends over time. Because your estate should be gaining value, not requiring constant maintenance just to hold its worth.
Every GDC estate in Rancho Santa Fe becomes part of our portfolio. A reflection of our reputation. A testament to our standards. We can’t afford to build anything less than exceptional—and neither can you.
Rancho Santa Fe isn’t just an address. It’s a way of life.
Privacy Without Isolation
The Ranch attracts people who value discretion. CEOs who need to decompress. Celebrities who want to shop for groceries without paparazzi. Families who believe privacy is the ultimate luxury.
We design estates that provide seclusion without feeling isolated. Entry sequences that shield homes from casual view. Landscaping that creates natural barriers. Guest quarters positioned for independence. Technology that lets you control access without feeling like you’re living in a fortress.
Entertainment Ready
From intimate dinners to charity galas, Rancho Santa Fe homes need to handle it all.
Kitchens designed for both family breakfast and catered events. Powder rooms positioned so guests never wander through private spaces. Outdoor areas that accommodate 200 people or just two, equally well. Parking solutions that don’t involve valets trampling your landscaping.
Multi-Generational Living
Rancho Santa Fe families tend to stay. And grow. And return.
We plan for evolution. Guest houses that become permanent residences for adult children. Accessibility features integrated elegantly, not added as afterthoughts. Spaces that adapt—playrooms that become teen lounges that become home offices. Because your estate should serve your family for generations, not just until the kids leave for college.
Work-Life Integration
Post-2020, the home office isn’t optional. For Rancho Santa Fe residents running companies, managing investments, or creating empires, it’s essential.
We’re not talking about a desk in the corner. We mean serious offices with separate entrances, conference capabilities, and technology infrastructure that rivals corporate headquarters. Spaces where billion-dollar decisions feel appropriate. Where Zoom backgrounds impress rather than distract. Where you can run a company without your company running your home.
You could hire builders from Los Angeles. Import architects from San Francisco. Plenty of Rancho Santa Fe residents do.
But here’s what happens: They don’t know the Art Jury’s preferences. They underestimate the Covenant’s complexity. They treat your estate like a project, not a legacy. And when problems arise—because problems always arise—they’re two hours away in traffic.
We’re different. And not in that vague “we care more” way every builder claims.
We're Local
Our office is 20 minutes away in La Jolla. Close enough to check on your project daily. Far enough that we’re not bumping into you at the Inn when you’re trying to enjoy lunch.
We're Established
Four generations in San Diego County. Nearly 100 years of building. We’ve survived recessions, booms, fires, and pandemics. We’ll be here when you want to add that tennis pavilion. And when your daughter wants to renovate the guest house for her family.
We're Connected
The best craftsmen. The most responsive engineers. The landscape architects who actually get approvals. Building exceptional estates requires an exceptional team, and ours has been refined over decades.
We're Proven
From Mount Soledad to Sunset Cliffs, from the Covenant to Cielo, we’ve built estates that define luxury across San Diego County. Each one different. Each one exceptional. Each one still standing as a testament to doing things right.
Great estates 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.
In Rancho Santa Fe, 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 Rancho Santa Fe, reputation is everything. Yours and ours.
You didn’t achieve your success by settling. By choosing convenient over exceptional. By accepting “good enough.” Your Rancho Santa Fe estate should reflect those same standards. Whether you’re ready to break ground tomorrow or still searching for the perfect lot, let’s talk.
