Concept preview built by Website Launch Pro for RJ Smith Construction Preview build Get started →
Limestone custom home built by RJ Smith Construction in Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach · Hermosa Beach · Redondo Beach

Boutique builders of the South Bay's finest homes

A full-service construction firm specializing in high-end custom and spec homes, built by a team personally invested in every project from concept to completion.

Lic# 872349
901 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
310.648.8353
Custom & spec
Ground-up home building
2nd generation
South Bay builder
Boutique
Full-service, in-house team
Lic# 872349
Licensed California contractor
About the firm

Meticulous, personal, and built for the way you actually live

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

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 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.

RJ Smith is a second generation South Bay custom home builder. He knows the area and the trade better than most.RJ Smith · Founder
Custom window nook with wood beams in an RJ Smith Construction home
RJ Smith, founder of RJ Smith Construction
Great room and bar in a custom home by RJ Smith Construction
What we do

Five ways we work with South Bay homeowners

From finding the lot to maintaining the finished home, the whole arc of a build lives under one roof.

01

Custom Homes

With our early design approach and transparent process, you could be living in your dream home sooner than you think. We engage with clients even before they purchase the lot, so the site is right for the house you actually want.

02

Development

We design and build custom luxury spec homes for the uncompromising buyer ready to swiftly move into their dream home, with all the benefits you would expect from one of our custom builds.

03

Real Estate

Finding the perfect location is the first step. Our in-house advisors, Robin Smith and Dan O'Connor, bring a combined 30 years of experience, an extensive network, and access to off-market opportunities.

04

Rental Properties

A collection of well-designed, impeccably maintained short and long-term rental homes in the South Bay's coastal communities, including custom RJS spec homes.

05

Luxury Home Management

Routine maintenance, handled properly. Every home visit follows a monthly checklist for general upkeep, plus a tailored list of seasonal services that changes with the calendar.

Tell us about the project

Custom build, spec purchase, or a lot you are considering: start the conversation and book a consultation.

Book a consultation
Selected work

Homes we have built on the coast

Every project below was built by our team in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach or Redondo Beach. Tap any photograph to view it full-size.

Manhattan Beach, CA

Pacific Grandeur

5 bed · 5 bath · 2 half bath

This striking contemporary residence epitomizes California coastal luxury, blending timeless natural materials with cutting-edge modern design. Limestone cladding extends seamlessly across both levels, while expansive floor-to-ceiling glass and dramatic overhangs blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Inside, a chef's kitchen with marble surfaces, custom oak cabinetry and sculptural pendant lighting anchors the main living space.

Pacific Grandeur contemporary limestone facade in Manhattan Beach
Pool and covered outdoor lounge at Pacific Grandeur
Chef's kitchen with marble island and oak cabinetry
Custom bar with green velvet banquette
Sculptural curved staircase
Double-height living room with floor to ceiling glass
Primary bath with freestanding stone tub
Hermosa Beach, CA

Lifeguard Tower House

Contemporary coastal · Custom build

An unparalleled fusion of contemporary coastal luxury and cutting-edge design. The façade sets up a bold interplay of materials: expansive floor-to-ceiling glass contrasted by warm wood paneling and crisp white stucco. Inside, a gracefully curved wood-accented wall softens the clean, minimalist lines, and a spiral stair rises through the middle of the home.

Lifeguard Tower House at dusk in Hermosa Beach
Living room opening to a coastal terrace
Curved island kitchen with wood cabinetry
Dining room wrapped in glass with sunset light
Glass-enclosed spiral staircase
Manhattan Beach, CA

Manhattan Compound

Double lot estate · 22ft glass

A double lot estate that blends indoor and outdoor space into one. The lot allows for an expansive yard with a custom pool, cabana and basketball court, with a "fireplace lounge" protected by a suspended metal and wood canopy. Inside, 22-foot glass walls carry sunlight through the day and Manhattan sunsets into the evening, and the primary suite overlooks the courtyard from its own balcony.

Manhattan Compound at dusk with pool and lawn
Covered fireplace lounge and lawn at Manhattan Compound
Double height living room with skylights
Entry corridor with planted borders and oak door
Dining room opening to the courtyard
Marble primary bath with freestanding tub
Manhattan Beach, CA

Walk Street Retreat

4 bed · 5 bath · 405 7th Street

An absolute breath of fresh air within the world of new construction spec homes, 405 7th Street embodies quiet sophistication and modern luxury. Positioned on one of the most sought-after walk streets in Manhattan Beach, with a spacious south-facing front yard, it was built by our team with interior design by Wendy Word and architecture by Joseph Fournier.

Walk Street Retreat exterior on a Manhattan Beach walk street
White kitchen with marble island
Kitchen with oak cabinetry and counter seating
Primary bedroom with steel-framed windows
Roof deck lounge above the walk street
Hermosa Beach, CA

Luxurious Family Haven

5 bed · 5.5 bath

A home that blends classic style with modern luxury: a striking stone exterior, clean modern lines and large dark-framed windows. Inside, graceful arches and high ceilings pull in natural light, and the plan flows out to an oasis with a pool, lounge areas and mature landscaping. The spa-like primary bath frames a freestanding tub with tall windows.

Stone exterior of a custom Hermosa Beach home
Great room opening to the lawn
Kitchen with concrete island and beamed ceiling
Arched entry hall with oak door
Primary bedroom with vaulted wood ceiling
Arched niche with freestanding soaking tub
Media room with dark walls and beamed ceiling
Pool and spa in the rear yard at dusk
Manhattan Beach, CA

Coastal Classic

Walk street · Interiors by HMS Interiors

This classic walk street stunner is one of our flagship properties. An oversized kitchen with double islands, a butler's pantry and bifold doors spilling out to indoor-outdoor fireplaces make it an entertainer's home. Custom paneling and a breezy beach feel are only outdone by the secret cigar room, the yacht club beach room with wine cellar and bar, and the bunk bed playroom.

Coastal Classic walk street elevation in Manhattan Beach
Yacht club beach room bar
Cigar room with fireplace and built-in shelving
Bunk bed playroom with brass sconces
White primary bath with freestanding tub
Manhattan Beach, CA

Spanish Modern

Total rebuild · 4,500 sq ft lot

This home came to us as a total rebuild, with the brief being an exotic resort-style home you can live in all year long. Our team maximized the 4,500 square foot lot with a rooftop view of both Palos Verdes and Malibu, an outdoor pool and spa surrounded by fountains, and a custom vestibule framed with a Moorish arch separating the primary suite from the rest of the home.

Courtyard pool framed by mature trees
Vaulted living room with arched window and beams
Dining room under exposed wood beams
Spanish style entry with arched door and cacti
Spiral staircase seen from above
Oak kitchen with skylight and beams
Manhattan Beach, CA

Traditional East Coast

Cedar shingle · Pool & basement

Traditional East Coast with a West Coast vibe. Exterior cedar shingles stained for a weathered look, white trim and black clad windows set the tone, while blue stone carries indoor-outdoor living through the house. The backyard opens to a one of a kind wood burning fireplace, pool and yard; the basement holds a rustic bar, wine cellar and media room. One of our favorite houses we have built to date.

Great room of a cedar shingle East Coast style home
Staircase with painted millwork
Pool and wood burning fireplace in the rear yard
Primary bedroom with paneled walls
Primary bath with freestanding tub and marble
Details

The parts of a house most people never photograph

Millwork, tile, stone and steel from custom builds across Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.

Custom bar with woven stools and open shelving
Custom bar · Manhattan Avenue
White oak kitchen with banquette seating
Custom Coastal · Kitchen
Patio and spa surrounded by hedges
34th Street · Patio
Curved staircase with built-in bench
Custom Coastal · Stair
Cream kitchen with reclaimed beams
Poinsettia · Kitchen
Three story coastal elevation with pool
34th Street · Elevation
Living room with wood ceiling and fireplace
Custom Coastal · Living
Living room with stone fireplace and ocean light
Strand adjacent · Living
Primary bedroom with vaulted wood ceiling
Primary suite · Beamed ceiling
Bedroom with canopy bed and vaulted ceiling
Custom Coastal · Bedroom
Stone and shingle street elevation
Poinsettia · Elevation
Spiral staircase behind glass
Lifeguard Tower · Stair
Our process

Start early. Talk constantly. Move in on schedule.

Custom builds can feel intimidating. Nobody wants their timeline or budget dismissed, or a finished house that misses the point. Getting started early is the most productive way to build your dream home.

01

Consultation

Contact us to start the conversation and book a consultation.

02

Early start

We like to engage with clients even before they purchase the lot. That gives us the upper hand in making sure the lot is everything the house needs.

03

Open communication

We know the importance of communication and pride ourselves on transparency with our clients throughout the process, on both timeline and budget.

04

Move into your dream

Experience the joy of living in a home that is fully customized to you and your family's lifestyle.

RJ Smith reviewing plans on site
The team

A second generation South Bay builder, and the people who run the build

RJ Smith, founder of RJ Smith Construction, was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California. From a young age he aspired to build and design custom homes, drawing inspiration from his mother, a designer, and his stepfather, a custom builder. He has built a team of dedicated, educated and communicative project managers and builders who share his attention to design detail and his passion for high-function homes.

RJ Smith, Founder
RJ Smith
Founder
Robin Smith, Founder and Realtor
Robin Smith
Founder / Realtor
Rola Benson, Director of Operations
Rola Benson
Director of Operations
Pat Leighton, Finance Director
Pat Leighton
Finance Director
Nina Law, Project Accountant
Nina Law
Project Accountant
As featured in
Architectural Digest MarthaStewart.com RUE Magazine California Homes South Bay Magazine Cottages & Bungalows Digs Magazine Infratech Visionaries
Common questions

Before you break ground

When should we contact you about a custom build?
Before you buy the lot, if you can. We like to engage with clients even before the purchase, which lets us confirm the lot is everything the house needs and gives you a realistic picture of cost and timeline from the start.
What is the difference between your custom homes and your spec homes?
A custom home is designed around you from the ground up. Our development homes are designed and built by the same team for buyers who want to move in quickly, with all the benefits you would expect from one of our custom builds. Buyers who come in while a spec home is still under construction can often customize options from tile and appliances to flooring and fixtures, depending on the stage of construction.
Can you help us find the property or lot?
Yes. Our in-house real estate advisors, Robin Smith and Dan O'Connor, have a combined 30 years of experience in the South Bay, deep connections with local agents, and access to off-market opportunities. Because they understand building costs, they can flag what a given lot will cost you to build on before you commit.
Which areas do you build in?
We work in the South Bay, focused on Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. RJ was born and raised here, so we understand the lifestyle and the local process.
Do you look after the home after we move in?
Our home management program covers your home from the inside out. Every visit follows a monthly checklist for general upkeep, plus a tailored list of seasonal services that changes month to month. Contact us for a tailored overview.
Let's chat

Start a project

Tell us a little about what you are planning, and we will get back to you to set up a consultation.

Office
901 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone
310.648.8353
Email
office@rjsmith.co
License
Lic# 872349
Form disabled in this preview. On the live site it delivers straight to office@rjsmith.co.