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About Us

30

YEARS
EXPERIENCE
WHO WE ARE

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 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.

CONTACT US

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.

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Meet Our

Team

Gaetano La Placa
Partner/President/Superintendent
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.
Giovanni La Placa
Partner/Chief Executive Officer

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/Chief Operations Officer/Project 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.
Sheri La Placa
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.
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.
Brandon Bateson
Project Manager

coming soon...

Jen Shaw
Office Manager/Designer
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.
Julia Genoway
Lead Designer

coming soon...

Carolyn Kipper
REALTOR®

coming soon...

John Heunemann
REALTOR®

coming soon...

Mark Delgado
REALTOR®

coming soon...

Kelsey La Placa
REALTOR®

coming soon...

Family-owned. We’re family-run.

"Thirty-five years later, that history lives on while growing and staying grounded in our founding family values."

FAQs

Have additional questions?
Contact us to schedule a consultation.

A: Many custom builds start with land acquisition. At La Placa Development, we help customers understand many considerations including zoning, land use, environmental restrictions, sewer, easement, surveying, potential conversion costs, budget, etc. After closing on land, we move clients through the design phase. Whether you have an architect or need help finding one, we are ready to advise and guide you as designs are discussed and plans are drawn. Finally, we carefully review the budget. Our mission is to be accurate and transparent as we balance design with financial requirements. Finally, with secured land, an approved architectural plan, and a finalized budget, we build!
A: La Placa Development is a general contractor. Our job is to assemble and manage the build team for your home or commercial project. Subcontractors are the tradesmen and women who staff that team, including the various framing contractors, plumbing contractors, electricians, roofers, etc. At La Placa Development, we’ve worked on every side of the construction business. Our history and deep experience mean we’re positioned to know and choose only the best, most reliable craftsmen and craftswomen to create a cohesive team and ensure the top-quality finish of your new home or commercial build.
A: The length of time it can take to build a custom home varies. Estimates are based upon the size and style of your home, personalized plans, finishes, any requested customer design changes, and even weather.
A: Great question! We build in a wide variety of styles, including but not limited to Craftsman, Modern Farmhouse, Modern Luxury, and everything from old world to contemporary.
A: Yes, you can. At La Placa Development, our clients enjoy an open door for site visits where homeowners can walk through a home as it’s being built. We also employ cutting-edge digital technology to offer previews of our progress. To do so, we rely on Progressive 3D/360° imaging during rough and finish.
A: Yes! Every La Placa Development custom home comes with a “1-year Fit and Finish Warranty”. In addition, homeowners will also receive a 10-year Structural Liability Warranty.
A: Absolutely! La Placa Development carries a California business license: #785456. Additionally, we employ a full-time staff who maintains insurance and keeps licenses up to date for all of our various subcontractors. Finally, we protect homeowners by ensuring they carry a Builder’s Risk Policy.
OUR TESTIMONIAL

Our Client Review's Testimonial

Read the heartfelt testimonials below to discover how we’ve exceeded expectations and turned dreams into reality, one home at a time.

My family member had La placa construction build her custom home. I have to say, the craftsmanship and mastery of their work is truly stunning. I visited the job with her throughout the building process and the whole team is so friendly. Very great company.

Kim Davis CLIENT

Very honest family-owned company, thoroughly enjoyed every part of the process with the La Placa family. The owner Gaetano has unmatched expertise in the construction field and is so knowledgeable. I’d recommend La Placa construction to all!

Shirley Lucero CLIENT

The La Placa family was so helpful and informative from the start. They immediately treated me as one of the family and that is something I highly valued.

Sam Hillman CLIENT