Clarence Davids & Company is proud to announce that our work at Grand Plaza in Chicago, Illinois won a 2017 Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Excellence in Landscape Award. The project scope was to transform the dated pool deck into a hip Miami-style space for entertaining and outdoor leisure. The client wanted to enhance the sun deck outdoor areas that were previously based on function into aesthetically appealing spaces that drew their young luxury apartment residents in, as well as, attracting new residents to their building.
One of the biggest priorities of the project was to take the previous outdoor grilling/dining area that consisted of freestanding grills with tables and chairs and elevate it into elaborate built in kitchen and bar areas. Because of the large space we were allotted, we were able to design in two large outdoor kitchen/bar areas. They each consisted of a large commercial size grill, outdoor sink, ice chest and a miniature refrigerator. Each built in kitchen accommodates bar seating to add to the upbeat ambiance the client was looking for, as well as additional seating space. They are also both covered by a pergola to add shade to the sun deck. The outdoor kitchens are built with a cultured stone veneer with granite counters.
One of the other elements to the project was to transform the tired landscaping into a healthy rejuvenated backdrop to our newly designed spaces. Another important priority for the client was to create a clean and open lawn space that could be used for towel and blanket overflow seating. On the weekends the pool area can get so busy that they run out of seating for their residents. Our newly designed lawn area took the place of multiple crab trees that had previously made the pool area dark and claustrophobic. By opening up the pool area, the terrace feels like a totally different place. The terrace border planting is filled with flowering hydrangeas, roses and large drifts of Panicum grasses that enhance the breezy fill of the deck.
Another feature that was important to our client was the addition of Cabanas to the Pool Area. In an effort to keep up with the competing luxury apartment rentals Pool Cabanas are the new hot things. These Cabanas are open for daily rental to the residents so that they can enjoy an intimate pool space to hang out with their friends and family.
Finally, in an effort to update and tie the entire pool and dining spaces together, a new outdoor furniture scheme was put together. This included dining furniture, lounge and spa pool chairs and deep seating furniture for the Cabanas and other intimate spaces. As well as, the addition of new cantilever umbrella’s to create shade spaces. The color scheme consisted of Miami Orange, Spa Blue and Granite grey to create the clean hip Miami style terrace the client was looking for.
The renovated pool/dining terrace has been a huge success and well received by the client, residents and guests. Take a look at the photos below!
