The Grand Summit
Reclaiming a Steep Hillside with Strategic Design
The property at Grandin Lane in Hyde Park had one of the best views in Cincinnati. The backyard was essentially a steep, inaccessible hillside. Getting from the house to the lower portions of the lot meant navigating unimproved terrain with no usable outdoor space along the way. The view of the Ohio River valley was there, but there was nowhere to sit and take it in.
Our designer, working alongside ILT Vignocchi, took on the challenge with an 11-month build — the longest and most structurally complex project in the Tepe Landscape & Design Group portfolio. The solution was a series of terraces, retaining walls, and staircases that carved usable living space into the hillside, step by step. A custom arbor, flagstone patio, fountain, and natural-stone fireplace were built into the terraced landscape, each one positioned to frame the river valley views that made the property special in the first place.
Custom Arbor
A custom-built arbor anchors the main outdoor gathering area, providing overhead structure and shade on the terraced patio. The arbor columns were designed to match the aesthetic of the fireplace — same stone, same visual weight — so the two features read as part of one unified design rather than separate additions.
Flagstone Patio
The primary patio surface is natural flagstone, selected for its ability to complement the stone retaining walls and the home’s existing architecture. On a terraced hillside, the patio surfaces are visible from above and below, which means the material has to look good from every angle — not just when you’re standing on it.
Flagstone Patio & Outdoor Living Spaces
Terraced Retaining Walls & Staircases
The wall system was designed as a series of terraces stepping down the hillside, each one creating a level platform for living space, planting, or access. Stone staircases connect the levels, giving the homeowners a clear path from the house through every zone of the backyard down to the lower elevations.
The scale of the wall work required structural engineering, proper drainage behind every wall face, and material selections that could handle the lateral loads of a Cincinnati hillside. The stone colors and textures were matched across every wall to create visual continuity from top to bottom.
Complete Project Gallery
