--- title: "The MacDowell Company — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-macdowell-company-pfvwus-pf~1921015158 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1921015158.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "The MacDowell Company" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c7d321050f43ff1a_0265-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "21 Center St, Weston, Massachusetts 02493, United States" latitude: 42.3589 longitude: -71.3001 phone: "(781) 899-9393" website: http://themacdowellcompany.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 54 best_of_houzz_awards: 8 followers: 115 last_updated: 2026-08-13 --- # The MacDowell Company Original Houzz profile: [The MacDowell Company](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-macdowell-company-pfvwus-pf~1921015158) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Weston, MA - **Serves:** Boston, Cape Cod, Cambridge, Newton, Framingham, Brookline, Arlington, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Lexington, Needham, Wellesley, Belmont, Burlington, Dedham, Acton, Sudbury, Concord, Bedford, Wayland, Weston, Groton, Cohasset, West Concord, Cochituate, Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Needham Heights, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, North Shore, South Shore, Wellesley Hills - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (54 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2016–2023), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - 50+ years in business For more than 50 years The MacDowell Company has been designing and constructing major landscape projects in the New England area. Our attention to site design and architectural detail enables us to fulfill the most specific and diverse needs of our clients. Our highly skilled staff of masonry and landscape artisans ensures the long term quality of each specific project. From concept through completion, The MacDowell Company offers the total package of landscape design and construction services. We are capable of designing and installing any element found in the modern landscape, including: walls, terraces, driveways, fencing and structures, pools, recreation courts, play equipment, outdoor kitchens, fire features, all varieties of landscape plantings, irrigation systems, landscape lighting and much more. As landscape architects and craftsmen who design and construct unique settings, we take great pride in our ability to maximize the potential of the land, while paying the utmost attention to detail. The MacDowell team is unsurpassed in our ability to design and install all aspects of any landscape project. Whether it is a small terrace and garden or a large scale, multifaceted site development, The MacDowell Company team will assist you in achieving your vision for your property and home. Each MacDowell Company project reflects a commitment to excellence in design, quality and craftsmanship. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Pool Landscaping - Custom Fire Pits - Swimming Pool Design - Custom Water Features - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Organic Gardens - Drafting - Shed Design & Construction - Edible Gardens - Construction Drawings - Masonry - Planting - Sport Court - Stone walls ### Areas Served - Boston - Cape Cod - Cambridge - Newton - Framingham - Brookline - Arlington - Jamaica Plain - Natick - Lexington - Needham - Wellesley - Belmont - Burlington - Dedham - Acton - Sudbury - Concord - Bedford - Wayland - Weston - Groton - Cohasset - West Concord - Cochituate - Auburndale - Chestnut Hill - Needham Heights - Newton Center - Newton Highlands - Newtonville - North Shore - South Shore - Wellesley Hills ### Typical Job Cost $10,000 - 2 million Design services typically start at $4,000, but most projects fall into the $7,000 to $25,000 Construction projects typically range from $75,000 to $1,000,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | The MacDowell Company | | Address | 21 Center St, Weston, Massachusetts 02493, United States | | Phone | (781) 899-9393 | | Website | http://themacdowellcompany.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 115 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/macdowellcompany - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-macdowell-jr-bb9875b5 - Blog — http://themacdowellcompany.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [The MacDowell Company](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-macdowell-company-pfvwus-pf~1921015158) - **Website:** http://themacdowellcompany.com/ - **Phone:** (781) 899-9393 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Best of Boston Home Magazine 2018 - Best of Houzz (Service) 2017 - Best of Houzz (Service) 2016 - Best of Boston 2015: Best Landscaping - Best of Boston Home 2012: Best Hardscape Design and Installation - Best of Boston Home 2009: Best Landscaper - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2016–2023), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 54 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 48.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Owen Hughes, Feb. 2023** > Bruce and Jeff did a phenomenal job and were a pleasure to work with throughout the project. My wife and I were looking to create a landscape master plan for our property which has some site challenges including a large side slope, drainage considerations, and wetlands. We worried that our project and budget constraints might be too small for The MacDowell Company to take on given the size and scope of some of the beautiful installations in the company's portfolio. Throughout the iterative design process, we never felt like less than their most important client. The final product exceeded our expectations and perfectly fit our needs. We would highly recommend Bruce and team to anyone looking to transform their space while enjoying a level of customer service and attention to detail that you just won't find with many designers / contractors. **★★★★★ — Thanh Erion, Nov. 2022** > Not enough words to describe how professional the folks at The MacDowell Company are. We engaged TMC for a total landscape design and build and the project took almost 2 years from start to finish. The quality of the work product was top-notch and Bruce led his team with the utmost attention to detail and responsiveness. TMC does not shy away from challenges and tackled the installation and design of a custom pizza oven with parts directly shipped from Italy. We highly recommend TMC for the quality of their services and professionalism. **★★★★★ — Lizzie Lewis, March 2021** > The MacDowell Company does the most beautiful landscape work -- period. I have admired their work for years (decades) and honestly thought they were too high-end for us. But a girl can dream, right? So I called, told them we were looking to put in a pool and do some landscaping around the pool to make it look like it at had always been there. From the first inquiry, they have made us feel like we are their biggest and most important customer. Their work is perfection. Their work crews couldn't be nicer, more hardworking or thoughtful (they were constantly worried about our pets roaming around the construction area and ensured they were always safe). Everyday they arrived promptly, with smiles on their faces and left the job site clean and safe at the end of each day. All the tools picked up, caution tape over ditches and they always took the time to show us where the dangers might be each day for the kids and pets. The communication from our lead designer and Project Manager was PERFECTION (and I am a communications professional so I don't say that lightly!). If plants were delayed, we knew it. It irrigation was holding us up, they would proactively let me know. If they weren't going to show up for a day because of delayed materials, they let us know in advanced. We have done many construction and landscaping projects and let me tell you NO ONE kept us informed on the status of things like this team. And when we made changes to our plans -- who doesn't? -- they were incredible. No one likes curve balls, but they handled them in stride, give you the cost estimate quickly and were able to stay on longer than expected to make our changes and get the job done. Finally, THEY FINISHED ON TIME AND ON BUDGET. Their attention to detail is BEYOND... They showed up unexpectedly (but always most welcome) late this Fall to put blankets around the pipes coming into the house on our irrigation system because temperatures were going to dip below freezing that night (we kept the irrigation on late to make sure the new plantings were happy). WOW. I was honestly sad when the project was completed and this crew stopped coming each day. They were a joy to have around and made our home more beautiful each and every day. They were earnest, honest and did what they told me they were going to do. They truly aim to please and SUCCEED in every way. Our project was completed in the Fall of 2020 and wouldn't you know it, as soon as the snow melted last week (Spring 2021), the team leaders showed up to check on the plantings, see how things wintered and ask if there was anything that need correcting/fixing!?!?! And of course they sent me an email before the came, so I wouldn't be surprised about a visit (although a surprise visit from MacDowell is ALWAYS welcome). Anyway, HUGE HUGE FAN -- they delivered exactly what I wanted in the best possible way -- through kind, earnest, thoughtful and honest work. The project is beyond my wildest dreams. **★★★★★ — Pascal Fortin, Jan. 2021** > The team at the MacDowell company has done a fantastic job building an amazing outdoor living space for us. > The professionalism, craftmanship, and attention to detail is to be commended. > The whole process, from the design of the landscape to the execution of the project was flawless, including working with our contractor to integrate with the renovation work on our house. > If you are looking for top quality work, accountability, and want peace of mind that everything will be done right, we can't recommend the MacDowell company highly enough! **Comment from The MacDowell Company:** > Thanks very much Pascal! It was a great pleasure working with you, the family and the entire design and construction team. Enjoy your beautiful new home! > -Bruce **★★★★★ — Edward Soares, Jan. 2021** > Bruce and his team at the MacDowell Company did an exceptional job. After construction of our new house, we hired them to complete the landscaping of the property, which needed extensive work due to the construction. We met with Bruce and Mike N. several times, explaining our needs, our vision for the property, and budget limitations. Bruce and his team presented several great ideas, as well as different plans (and pricing) for us to choose from. We settled on a plan that would allow for future expansion, while not disturbing any work initially done. > > The guys who implemented the plan were simply fabulous. The hardscaping was done by an experienced team, who constructed a beautiful front wall, rear patio, and some attractive tree wells. The other members of the team took great care with grading the property and installing the plantings. Also, the team coordinated the installation of a new irrigation system. One of the main highlights of the work was the choice of plantings, in consultation with us, which emphasized the use of native plantings and low maintenance grass (fescue). We have been very impressed and pleased with the final result! > > The MacDowell Company was an excellent choice for us and we give them our highest endorsement! **Comment from The MacDowell Company:** > Thank you for the very kind words Ed! I, Mike and the rest of the team truly enjoyed working with you. We will be back in the spring to usher the landscape into its first full season. > > -Bruce **★★★★★ — Amy Grimm, Dec. 2020** > My husband and I were looking for a landscape design and construction company that was able to handle many different landscape needs. We wanted to expand our patio and add a stonewall with built-in lighting, we wanted to add a gas line for a gas grill beneath the patio, we wanted to fix drainage issues in our backyard, we needed to add irrigation, we wanted to add a vegetable garden with fence, we wanted to replace dead evergreen trees, and we wanted to add flowers/ shrubs/trees around our house to make the landscaping more attractive. In addition, we were looking for a company that was able to handle what we knew would be a challenging permitting process, since our house is located on a historic road. > > The MacDowell Company guided us through the permitting process and worked well with town officials to ensure we got the necessary permits. They also were meticulous when it came to detail. They paid special attention to the layout of the stone patio, they made sure trees were planted in the ground straight, they were constantly monitoring our new sod after installation, and they continuously updated us on their progress. Overall, The MacDowell company was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them for both landscape design and construction. **Comment from The MacDowell Company:** > Thank you Amy! I am very happy to hear you are pleased with how the project turned out and that you had an enjoyable experience working with us. Its a beautiful landscape and I hope you and the family enjoy it for many years to come. We will see you all in the spring! > -Bruce **★★★★★ — HU-152003376, Dec. 2020** > We had a wonderful experience working with the MacDowell company. They are true professionals - with an experienced team to manage the design process through execution. They came in on budget and met timeline - and were an all around pleasure to work with. **★★★★★ — Thomas Mathers, Jan. 2020** > We worked with MacDowell on a master landscape and lighting plan for our signature property. They met with us several times, and were thoughtful with incorporating feedback. They handled all environmental permitting and committee meetings. Once the project was green-lit, their team executed on-time and on-budget. We have been very happy with the quality of their work and professionalism. We will continue to work with them on this multi-year project. **★★★★★ — Hsing Chiang, Dec. 2019** > I decided to upgrade my front and back yards last spring and I wanted a design-build company that can handle the job from the beginning to end. The MacDowell company did just that. Bruce and his team did a beautiful job. The craftsmanship that you can tell from how they built the fieldstone walls and the fire pit was just amazing! **★★★★★ — Art Papas, Dec. 2019** > We have worked with many landscape architects and landscape construction firms. The team at MacDowell are in a different league. They are very customer focused and they truly care about delivering a top quality outcome. Their designs are fantastic and we're extremely happy with the work. We will definitely hire them again if we ever need more work done. **★★★★★ — Lara Gund, Dec. 2019** > The MacDowell Company completely transformed our property. Since we completed the project last spring, we have spent more time in the yard, relaxing or entertaining, than we had in the past several years combined. The finished product is even better than we could have imagined, thanks to Bruce and his entire team. We appreciated their expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail throughout the process: > Design - We had a sense of how we wanted our property to feel, but less specific ideas about how it should look. Through a thoughtful design process, Mike and Bruce helped us to translate our ideas into a custom design consistent with our home's architecture, the character of the property, and our family's personality. > Build - The team constructed a stunning bluestone patio, custom stone walls, a wood-burning fire pit and seating area, and gas fire pit. We asked to reuse some of the bluestone from the old patio, and the team was able to beautifully incorporate those materials into the new design and materials. > Service - The service was excellent throughout all phases of the project. Bruce, Dave, and the team were extremely responsive to all of our questions and requests. They went the extra mile, including the time when Bruce came to our home on a weekend evening after the project was completed because we had questions about how to use our new gas fire pit. He had already explained everything to us, but showed no sign of impatience when we had additional questions. > We give The MacDowell Company our highest recommendation. **★★★★★ — hhuntress24, Dec. 2019** > The MacDowell team is professional and does exceptional work start to finish. From the beginning, they give your project the utmost attention and pay attention to all of the details. Highly recommended and would not hesitate to call on them again! ## Selected projects - [Radcliffe](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/radcliffe-pj-vj~6416250) - Location: Wellesley, MA - Photos: 12 - [Appletree](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/appletree-pj-vj~6415881) - Location: Wayland, MA - Photos: 13 - [Dartmouth](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dartmouth-pj-vj~989407) - Location: Dartmouth, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: The stage of this outdoor living space has been established by use of two separate elevations. An upper level granite terrace offers ample entertainment space close to the house. A fieldstone fireplace is the comment element between the upper and lower space. With the firebox being open in the front and back, the fire can be enjoyed from upper terrace or from below at the spa or pool. A granite pool terrace offers ample space for lounging and sun bathing. - [Cherrywood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cherrywood-pj-vj~989639) - Location: Weston, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: This property has a beautiful street presence, though coniferous screen plantings offer a large degree of privacy to the homeowner. The highlights of this landscape are found in the rear yard where we took a terraced approach to solve some grading challenges. A long fieldstone retaining wall is anchored on one end by a large built in spa. A centrally located water feature accented with ornamental plantings is a strong point of interest during entertainment and offers tranquil sounds of cascading… - [Buckskin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/buckskin-pj-vj~990824) - Location: Weston, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: This rear yard has a centrally located pool, which is backed by a fieldstone wall. This fieldstone wall has a number of accents to add interest and form, but the highlight is a centrally located fountain. A pool cabana containing a built in grill anchors one side of the pool while a trellis balances the landscape on the other side of the pool. Fieldstone columns with bluestone caps surround the perimeter of the rear yard and lend additional interest to the iron fencing A minimalist approach was… - [Shady Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shady-hill-pj-vj~1456679) - Location: Weston, MA - Photos: 3 - [Weston Project Three](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/weston-project-three-pj-vj~990893) - Location: Weston, MA - Photos: 7 - [Pools and Spas](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pools-and-spas-pj-vj~983511) - Location: Barnstable, MA - Photos: 37 - [Outdoor Living Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-living-spaces-pj-vj~983488) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - [Water Features](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-features-pj-vj~983442) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - [Driveways and Courtyards](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/driveways-and-courtyards-pj-vj~990964) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - [Stone Fireplaces and Fire Pits](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stone-fireplaces-and-fire-pits-pj-vj~983417) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Natural Stone Fire Features - [Landscape Walks and Paths](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/landscape-walks-and-paths-pj-vj~990026) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-macdowell-company-pfvwus-pf~1921015158) ## Ideabooks - [6 Barley](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80618726/list/6-barley) — 14 ideas - [Notre Dame](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75277337/list/notre-dame) — 8 ideas - [Outdoor Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55221446/list/outdoor-kitchens) — 49 ideas - [Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52518076/list/landscape) — 4 ideas - [Landscape Walkways and Paths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52434067/list/landscape-walkways-and-paths) — 3 ideas - [Curb Appeal](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52433801/list/curb-appeal) — 1 idea - [Pools & Spas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52432091/list/pools-spas) — 17 ideas [See all 7 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/macdowell) ## Community Q&A **Q: Pavers** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi there, are the pavers on the pool deck Aberdeen Baja Beige by Techo-Bloc? A: Hi there. The pavers in this photo are natural cleft, full color range Bluestone; a natural stone. Thanks for the question **Q: Aberdeen?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello, are these pavers (on the patio) Aberdeen Baja Beige by Techo-Bloc? Thank you! A: Thank you for the question. The paving materials in this photo are a natural granite called Sandy Point **Q: what is the name pf this river rock and is it a veneer??** *(in Photo Questions)* A: This is a round, New England fieldstone. The stone in the photo is full thickness, but it does come as a 1” thin veneer as well. **Q: Fire Pit** *(in Photo Questions)* Just a quick question.....what is the btu fire ring to this pit. I typically use 150 btu for my smaller pits but curious what you use.... By the way, your work is really impressive. A: Thank you, have a great season also. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-13.*