We are La Placa Development
As a leading home builder, we offer a suite of services and direction to plan, design, and complete new construction of every style. We selectively work with a small number of clients to ensure the La Placa standard is not compromised in any project. The La Placa standard encompasses thousands of seen, and unseen details that only come with a tenure of over 30 years. Within our three decades of building some of the finest homes in Southern California, we've honed our craftsmanship to be able to deliver our clients only the best time-tested homes; while simultaneously perfecting our foresight to avoid overtures on time and budget.
We’re not just family-owned. We’re family-run.
At La Placa Development, we come to work every day because we know what we build is not something we take for granted. Our story is simple. Our company began with a single builder, pursuing top-quality craftsmanship and customer care. Thirty-five years later, that history lives on while growing and staying grounded in our founding family values.
La Placa Development is a family name. In 1973, Gaetano La Placa Development immigrated from Italy to the United States. In the early years, he swept floors, painted, and assisted on construction sites. Over the years, Gaetano acquired expert skills and knowledge as a craftsman, designer, and project manager. In 1984, Gaetano founded La Placa Development and transformed his expertise into a full-service firm. Located in Monrovia, California, La Placa Development earned a reputation for integrity, knowledge, and high-quality custom builds. We incorporated in 1999, and the company continued to grow.
In 2014, we followed our demand, and moved the La Placa Development office to Orange County. Today, La Placa Development is a full-service, family-run general contractor. Gaetano remains hands on in each project, assisted by his sons Giovanni and Francis. Gaetano's wife Sheri supports internal operations and is supported by a full time staff.
We believe in protecting and advocating for our homeowners.
A custom build is a significant undertaking. At La Placa Development, we walk homeowners through the entire process. We offer input on design, opportunities on finishes, and advocate for you as we budget. Behind the scenes, we pour over the details, selecting the finest materials while carefully managing the team of expert builders and craftsmen who give a La Placa Development custom home its signature quality. Our goal is to ease pressure on our clients and protect their investment while delivering the very best custom luxury homes in Southern California.
Meet Our Team
Gaetano La Placa
Founder and President
As the founder and president of La Placa Development, Gaetano truly built La Placa Development from the ground up. In 1973, Gaetano immigrated from Italy to the United States. In the early years, he swept floors, painted, and assisted on construction sites. Over the years, Gaetano acquired expert skills and knowledge as a craftsman, designer, and project manager. In 1984, Gaetano founded La Placa Development and transformed his expertise into a full-service firm. La Placa Development earned a reputation for integrity, knowledge, and high-quality custom builds. After being incorporated in 1999, the company continued to grow. In 2014, the company transitioned its focus from building to project management and moved the La Placa Development office to Orange County. Today, La Placa Development is a full-service, family-run general contractor. Gaetano is still in the field, assisted by his sons Giovanni and Francis, his wife Sheri, and a full-scale professional staff. His expertise, attention to detail, pursuit of perfection, and advocacy for clients still serve as the foundation of the company.
Sheri La Placa
Co-Founder and Controller
Sheri La Placa is Gaetano’s loving wife and co-founder of La Placa Development. Sheri has many roles within the office, including overseeing the company’s daily accounting operations and handling the office’s administrative duties. She truly is the glue that holds everything together at La Placa Development. Sheri and Gaetano have been married for 40 wonderful years and have, quite literally, built up the business from nothing. Their inseparable bond and commitment to one another have contributed to La Placa Development’s flourishing success.
Giovanni La Placa
Partner and Operations Director
Giovanni is the eldest son of the La Placa family and is a partner and Operations Director. He has an Associate of Science Degree from Mt. San Antonio College and graduated from the Daniel Freedman Paramedic Program at UCLA in 2002. He is currently a full-time firefighter and paramedic while still being a critical part of La Placa Development on his days off from being a first responder. With a tenure exceeding 20 years in real estate and construction development, Giovanni has been involved in each industry since he was 20 years old. He is responsible for everything from negotiations, budgeting, and purchasing within the company. Throughout the years he has learned what it takes to run a successful company in each sector. He has founded and operated a variety of businesses in his career and has a steadfast entrepreneurial spirit.
Francis La Placa
Partner and Field Manager
Francis is the La Placa family’s youngest son and is presently a partner and Field Manager. He is responsible for supervising the subcontractors at each construction site, and ensuring that all projects are completed promptly and efficiently. He began working for the company shortly after graduating high school and now has over five years of immersive construction experience. While working alongside his father, Gaetano, he has developed extensive knowledge in all aspects of construction development. Francis’ overall eye for construction development and intuitive design are a vital part of La Placa Development’s successful endeavors.
Gabe Gonzales
Vice President
Gabe’s role is Vice President at La Placa Development. Gabe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Azusa Pacific University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Concordia University in Irvine. Gabe is responsible for overall business development and his primary focus is business development and estimating. He is currently a licensed real estate broker in the state of California and runs the internal brokerage division. Gabe's passion for real estate and his experience in corporate real estate has proven to be a perfect fit for La Placa Development to further grow their business. Gabe is also a partner in La Placa Investment Group which is a separate business that focuses on value add real estate investments in Southern California.
Jen Shaw
Office Manager
Jen holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Advertising from Cal State Fullerton. Jen holds a tenure of over a decade in residential real estate in Newport Beach and is currently a licensed realtor. Previous to joining La Placa, Jen worked as an assistant designer for an Orange County interior design firm, crafting and honing an eye for detail, and cultivating an untraditional modern coastal style. Furthermore, Jen exemplifies her background in advertising and marketing while working closely with our marketing director to ensure the most effective strategies for success. In addition to her work with La Placa Development, Jen enjoys giving back to the community and is actively involved with Special Olympics Southern California, and the Surfrider Foundation.