Project Overview

Building Custom Bleachers for LaRussell’s Backyard Pergola was one of the most ambitious and meaningful custom carpentry projects I have ever been a part of.

Chalberto, a Bay Area creative builder and contractor, brought me onto the project to help bring LaRussell’s vision to life at his childhood home in Vallejo. The goal was to transform an existing backyard into a completely custom environment for live music, community and creative expression.

As Foreman Carpenter, I led the carpentry execution and played a major role in bringing the structure from concept to completion.

The centerpiece was a massive seven tier wooden bleacher system rising more than 20 feet above the backyard. Early in the build, I proposed using six concrete piers dug approximately four feet into the ground as the foundation. Each pier supported a 6x8 vertical beam, creating the primary structural supports for the diameter of the bleachers.

The project went far beyond the bleachers. Our team installed new turf, built a dedicated choir box, custom speaker stands and a DJ booth, along with additional event infrastructure throughout the property. We also created a custom mural honoring E 40, Mac Dre and the musical legacy of Vallejo and the Bay Area.

There was no prefabricated system or standard blueprint for what we were creating. It was a completely custom structure built from the ground up and completed in approximately two weeks, requiring long days, precise carpentry and efficient execution.

Why it matters

What makes Pergola V3 special is that the structure became part of something much bigger than the construction itself.

LaRussell has built a unique movement in hip hop by creating his own path as an independent artist and building a direct connection between music, fans and community. Instead of leaving Vallejo behind, he has continued investing in the place that shaped him, creating a space where artists, creatives and fans can come together.

The Pergola became a physical expression of that vision.

Since we completed the project, the bleachers have become a major part of the Pergola experience, hosting thousands of people and countless events. They have been a place where people sit, dance, laugh, listen to music and make memories, and the structure has even been featured in a Jabbawockeez dance video.

That is what makes this one of my favorite projects.

I didn’t just build something for a client. I helped build something that will continue to be used and enjoyed by thousands of people for years to come.