Design & Build
Flagg Coastal Homes is a licensed California Contractor. Our firm stands as the premier Design/Builder, shaping the new California Coastal Style across San Diego's coastal regions. Founded in 2007, our portfolio contains over 75 homes in prime locations like Coronado, Encinitas, Del Mar, and La Playa in Point Loma.
Working exclusively in the coastal zone, we select materials designed to endure the coastal environment. As a niche builder, our focus remains steadfast on location, mission, product type, and clientele.
Recognized by Houzz and featured in various home design magazines, our proudest moment was being selected as Coastal Living Magazine's National Show House in 2014. The home graced the cover and 26 pages, attracting over 5,000 visitors to the house that summer. We were also honored to be the top Design-Builder on Sandiegoarchitects.org.
Flagg Coastal Homes is complemented by our sister company, Flagship Properties, a boutique luxury real estate brokerage. Together, we hold the market share of waterfront homes in Coronado, offering unparalleled expertise and quality in every aspect of coastal living.
meet our Team
brian gilhooly, CEO
Brian Gilhooly became Flagg Coastal Homes’ new CEO in 2023. Originally from Philadelphia, he came to Coronado in 1995 for BUD/S training. He was a SEAL for six years, primarily with SEAL Team 3 and Naval Special Warfare Unit One.
After military service, Gilhooly joined the FBI in 2002, starting in San Francisco, and held a variety of assignments through his 21-year career in Washington D.C., San Diego, and Los Angeles, where he was in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division. With an emphasis on leadership, he worked in both the criminal program and in the national security arena, and also oversaw office infrastructure, including building, construction, and remodeling projects.
He met his wife Kelly, a long-time Coronado resident whose father was a Navy Captain. Brian and Kelly have four children.
John O'Brien, Founder and BRAND MANAGER
John O'Brien is responsible for brand management and marketing. He also oversees development and investment activities for the company. During his 40+ years of Southern California real estate experience, he has shepherded both Flagg, (the builder), and Flagship (the developer and broker) entities which have received statewide and national recognition.
One of John’s earlier projects, Blackhorse La Jolla, was a $44M townhome project that was recognized by both BUILDER and PROFESSIONAL BUILDER magazines as an attached project of the year in the US in 1990. John graduated from the U.S.Naval Academy and served in the Naval Special Warfare community’s Coastal River Squadron One.
John's service included a tour as Officer in Charge of a Vietnam Era PT-Boat prior to beginning his real estate career. Not only is John a veteran of the military, but real estate brokerage and development has been his forte for decades. John has demonstrated superior leadership in building Flagg to its current state and he possesses the vision and ambition to continue driving Flagg forward.
Dorian Lytle, Project Designer
Dorian Lytle heads up the Design/Build division of Flagg Coastal Homes. Dorian received his undergraduate degree in Finance from Northeastern University and his graduate degree in Architecture from The Newschool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. Dorian was both the class Valedictorian and also received AIA's Henry Adams Medal for excellence.
Dorian's passion for architectural design started in Connecticut where as a young man, he worked for Ireland Architecture, drafting beach homes and coastal community projects. That experience allowed Dorian to draw upon
the architectural aesthetics of the coastal Northeast that has translated so successfully to the resort community of Coronado Regardless of style, location, or size, his design goal remains the same: create a family heirloom for generations to come
Carrie O’Brien, Co-Founder and Principal of Flagship Properties
Carrie began her real estate career in 2001, initially to support the sales efforts of the development activities of Flagship Properties.
From that start, Carrie has built the most dynamic and successful boutique agency in Coronado and she consistently ranks in the top 5 sales brokers on the island. Beth Delano joined Flagship Properties in 2011 and together they have closed annual sales of approximately $45 million per year for the last 3 years. Of particular note, Flagg and Flagship enjoy “Market Share” on bayfront and bayview properties on Coronado’s First Street. Carrie is a Stanford graduate with an MBA from UCLA and a Masters in Psychology from Fuller Seminary.
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William Mark Blore, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer
Mark is a former Navy SEAL and has been a partner with Flagship and Flagg Coastal Homes for 17 years.
He has successfully led all construction aspects and is an integral part of the operation and business development team. Mark has his General Contractors License and has been operating through BSC Inc. for Flagg. His corporation is a Services Disabled Veteran-Owned Business.
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Martin Brown. VP Operations
Martin Brown, a first-generation American hailing from the picturesque island nation of St. Lucia, embarked on his journey with Flagg Coastal Homes in 2003.
Through apprenticeships across various core trades, Martin honed his skills, gained valuable experience, and received his California contractor's license in 2005. Witnessing his passion and proficiency, Martin rose through the ranks as a Lead Project Supervisor, Lead Project Manager, and assumed the pivotal role of Vice President of Operations for Flagg in 2023. Over the years, Martin has spearheaded the successful completion of nearly 70 custom luxury homes, spanning a wide spectrum of home values, from $500,000 to over $20 million.