About us
We are a boutique, full-service construction firm specializing in high-end custom and spec homes in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.
At RJ Smith Construction, 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 seamlessly 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. This fusion of visionary design and passion for custom homebuilding ensures that every RJ Smith Construction project stands apart as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
RJ Smith
Founder
RJ Smith, founder of RJ Smith Construction, a boutique construction firm renowned for crafting unique, high-quality homes in California’s South Bay, particularly in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California.
From a young age, RJ aspired to build and design custom homes, drawing inspiration from his mother, a designer, and his stepfather, a custom builder.
Robin Smith
Founder/Realtor
As Co-Owner of RJ Smith Construction, Robin leverages her real estate expertise to guide both the acquisition of new lots and the successful sale of completed builds, bringing valuable insight to every stage of the development process. With a warm smile, zest for life, and intrepid spirit, Robin and real estate were a natural fit.
Rola Benson
Director of Operations
With over three decades of corporate-level experience in real estate, Rola brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep appreciation for the power of relationships to her role as Director of Operations at RJ Smith Construction. She firmly believes that genuine connection fosters opportunity and approaches every interaction with an open heart and mind.
Pat Leighton
Finance Director
Pat is the driving force behind the numbers at RJ Smith Construction, heading up our accounting team with over 20 years of experience in escrow, real estate, and property management.
She’s passionate about the details and understands how critical sound financial processes are to bringing our clients’ dream homes to life.
Nina Law
Project Accountant
Nina, who joined our team as office manager in early 2024, has seamlessly transitioned to the accounting department as a Project Accountant, quickly proving to be a valuable asset.
Her enthusiasm for learning and her willingness to lend a hand wherever needed have made her an integral part of the team.
The Latest on Instagram
One of our favorite details in this kitchen isn`t something you can see at first glance—it`s what`s behind that Dutch door.
A tucked-away space that gives the homeowner options: cook in it, work in it, or close the door on the chaos. Details like this only survive from blueprint to build when the builder is as invested in the vision as the people who designed it.
That`s the job. Execute it exactly as intended—down to the details no one else would fight for.
Interior Design: @auslandinteriors
Architect: @jfournierdesign
Builder: @rjsmithco
A custom home isn`t built by a builder. It`s built by a team.
RJ talks about fostering that team mentality — architects, designers, subs, and most importantly, the clients. Everyone`s invested. Everyone`s heard. Everyone matters.
That`s how you build homes people actually love.
@cosmosify episode — link in bio.
Great homes are built twice: once on the drafting board, once on the job site. The magic happens when those two worlds actually talk to each other.
Most homes fail in the gap between architecture and execution. The vision gets lost, the details get compromised, the collaboration becomes competition. But when an architect, designer, and builder all refuse to settle—when they`re invested in the same outcome—that`s when exceptional happens.
@tomaroarchitecture, @stewartdesigninc, and @rjsmithco did exactly that on Poinsettia. From the first meeting to the final walkthrough, the collaboration was seamless because everyone was aligned on one thing: making this vision real without cutting corners.
That`s not luck. That`s partnership. And it`s the standard we hold every project to.
Architecture: @tomaroarchitecture
Builder: @rjsmithco
Interior Design: @stewartdesigninc
Tile and Stone: @detailstileandstone
Photography: @laurentaylorcreative
6th Street Development: Laying the Foundation
Concrete`s going down. Not glamorous. But it`s everything.
A solid foundation now means zero headaches later. That`s what 25 years of custom home building taught us—and it`s the same standard we`re bringing to development.
When you build custom homes for high-achievers, you can`t cut corners. Ever. You learn what actually matters and what doesn`t. You build relationships with the best subs in the industry. You refuse to compromise.
1316 6th Street is being built on that exact standard—with the same subs, the same precision, the same commitment. Just without a client telling us to.
More updates as this one takes shape.
Architecture: @jfournierdesign
Interior Design: @mbc.interiordesign
Project Manager: @katie_rjsd
