--- title: "Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc. — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc-pfvwus-pf~973295946 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~973295946.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc." category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9a4347f30ffae928_8684-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1765 N. Elston Ave, Suite 203, Chicago, Illinois 60642, United States" latitude: 41.9008 longitude: -87.6528 phone: "(773) 697-9897" website: http://www.chicagogardens.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 13 best_of_houzz_awards: 10 followers: 470 last_updated: 2026-08-25 --- # Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc. Original Houzz profile: [Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc-pfvwus-pf~973295946) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Highland Park, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highwood, Kenilworth, Golf - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (13 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 10 awards (2013–2022), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Chicago Specialty Gardens (CSG) is an award-winning, full-service urban garden design/build firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. We are specialists in the design, construction and installation of urban gardens. Our design approach envisions the transformation of entire spaces, and we employ multi-disciplinary design, project management, construction and maintenance teams to turn our vision into reality. CSG was founded in 1993 and by 1995 the company had grown and was incorporated. In the intervening years much has been learned, and many people deserve credit for bringing CSG to its present incarnation. We have worked hard, had great clients and been fortunate. Our company vision is to be the premier full-service urban garden design/build firm in Chicago, and to operate with integrity and respect toward our employees, clients, suppliers and the natural environment. We employ specialists in numerous disciplines to bring together our creative visions, and we bring both an artistic and functional interpretation to our garden spaces. Chicago is a fantastic city to work in. Our installations of rooftop gardens for the past 25 years, in particular, give us a renewed appreciation for our city’s skyline, our sun and air, our weather, and the infinite possibilities for creating gardens and living spaces above the city. We continually are expanding our knowledge base about rooftops, and CSG can now offer all the services and requirements for a rooftop garden — from structural analysis, to city permit generation, to design, construction, planting and lighting, and finally to the finishing out of the rooftop décor and ongoing maintenance services. For more information, please contact us online or call (773) 697-9897. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Custom Fire Pits - Custom Water Features - Gazebo Design & Construction - Design Consultation - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Drafting - Organic Gardens - Edible Gardens - Living Walls - Potted Plants - Dog Run Construction - Artificial Living Walls - Rooftop Deck Installation - Green Roofing - Building Sustainably - Deck Building - Landscape 3D Renderings - Landscape Construction Drawings - Rooftop Gardens of many types - Trellis Construction ### Areas Served - Chicago - Evanston - Glenview - Northbrook - Highland Park - Wilmette - Lake Forest - Deerfield - Winnetka - Glencoe - Highwood - Kenilworth - Golf ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - $100,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc. | | Address | 1765 N. Elston Ave, Suite 203, Chicago, Illinois 60642, United States | | Phone | (773) 697-9897 | | Website | http://www.chicagogardens.com | | Followers on Houzz | 470 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc/310519871284?ref=ts - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc/about/?viewAsMember=true - Blog — https://www.instagram.com/chicagospecialtygardens/?show\_story\_unavailable=1 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc-pfvwus-pf~973295946) - **Website:** http://www.chicagogardens.com - **Phone:** (773) 697-9897 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Numerous - please see website. - **Best of Houzz:** 10 awards (2013–2022), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 13 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Infratech Comfort Heaters, April 2019** > Chicago Speciality Gardens are specialists in the design, construction and installation of urban gardens. Their work takes advantage of and shows appreciation to the Chicago skyline and beautiful weather. We always witness integrity and respect from the CSG team. We highly recommend CSG to anyone who is looking for a serene and functional rooftop space. **★★★★★ — Ross Kerr, Sept. 2016** > Fantastic team, extremely responsive and top notch end product! We couldn't be happier with the finished product and we plan to do more projects with CSG in the future. **★★★★★ — jkmaner, Sept. 2016** > Chicago specialty gardens does very professional, high-end work. They replaced an existing rooftop deck with one comprised of composite decking material (at our request), including beautiful planter boxes, a shaded pergola, timed irrigation system, and lighting. We worked closely with Phil (the owner) and Rick ( project manager) throughout the process. They were very professional and a pleasure to work with. The attention to detail is impressive. The deck is absolutely amazing. Our guests' jaws drop when they see it. CSG is more expensive than some other companies but the quality is worth it. **★★★★ — dave1971, Sept. 2016** > I contacted CSG in 2014 to design my private rooftop deck. > They came up with a great design and executed it very well. > Great to work with! **★★★★★ — Gaye Hill, Aug. 2016** > I first engaged Chicago Specialty Gardens in 2007, but they have continued maintaining and improving my terrace ever since. They designed a rooftop garden space, with pavers, planters, irrigation, lighting and beautiful furniture. They worked with me, my building manager and condo board to design a space that followed the building rules and satisfied my needs. Since then, they have expanded my tree collection and refreshed the cushions on my furniture. They plant my seasonal planters every year, and maintain them with great attention to detail. They arrange care for my trees as well. My terrace is a true outdoor living space, thanks to them-- they are quick to respond to problems, make great suggestions for improvement, and are reasonable in price. I could not enjoy such great outdoor living without them. **★★★★★ — Van Inwegen Digital Arts, Sept. 2015** > Phil and I have worked on a number of projects together and created some stunning images of his work. He is a hard working man, has a warm soul, and an eye for design and plant selection that makes each project a joy to experience. > > I would love to add ten more “Phils” to my client list. His projects are a dream to photograph, and the man…well…he’s simply the best! **★★★★★ — Jason Galles, July 2015** > Phil and company are a very talented team that place high priority on quality design and implementation. I say this from a standpoint of having the pleasure of sharing conversation with Phil at many industry conventions and educational seminars over the years. He puts emphasis on continued education to keep his company on the cutting edge of industry innovation and improvement that help them push the limits on project quality each time around. One of the top fresh, professional, and hip design/build firms in Chicago. **★★★★★ — buccaneer400, Aug. 2014** > We've hired Chicago Specialty Gardens for landscaping and lighting work three times over the last 9 years. Great concepts and design, excellent work. Really impressed with how much owner Phil Cleland is hands on with the tough, dirty jobs. **★★★★★ — kararowley, April 2014** > This was a high-rise project and we hired CSG to design and complete our 7th floor community deck. We could not have been more impressed with the design that Phil and his team put together. They have been extremely professional and been there for us every step of this process. CSG's work has been amazing and the project has come in right at budget and on time. We are very thankful for all the hard work and thought that has gone into our deck and we could not be happier with the level of service we have received from CSG. We highly recommend them! Thank you CSG for making our space an incredible retreat! **★★★★★ — Corey Folske, Oct. 2012** > Sean and Phil at Specialty Gardens turned an average Chicago Garage Rooftop into our own Special Oasis. The project evolved over a little less than a year as they set up 3 Phases of production to fit our budget. The finished product is a Cabana, Daybed and much much more of the highest quality. We are up there every chance we get. > > Many thanks Sean and Phil as always. > > Corey **★★★★★ — vmsheldon, Oct. 2012** > I served as chairman of the committee responsible for improving the pool deck in my high rise condominium building. In that capacity I got multiple bids and selected Chicago Specialty Gardens not only based on price but on their willingness to work with me through committee and board presentations, consultations with structural engineers etc. in order to get the project done. In this capacity they provided a design overall with recommended plantings, irrigation and lighting and custom built cabanas and planters. Phil and his staff were unfailingly patient in dealing with the process in my building. Their work is beautiful and of a very high quality and in fact we have an ongoing relationship for maintenance in the spring and fall of each year. I would recommend Chicago Specialty Gardens without reservation. **★★★★★ — car3611, Sept. 2012** > I write this letter in recommendation Chicago Specialty Gardens Inc. as a landscape contractor. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Phil Cleland on our annual planting of our terrace for the past five years. I can recommend him highly and without reservation. Throughout the course of the years, Mr. Cleland was a consummate professional. He was accurate in his initial assessment of the scale and cost of our project. He was absolutely clear in his record keeping and time log. > > Our job was done with care and precision. He is a gifted artist and our 600 sf terrace is a true extension of our home. He designed all aspects that include, (18) planter boxes, (4) large trees, custom sofa bench and dining area. Our terrace won the 2008 garden of the year and has been featured in Chicago Magazine as a show piece. > > We look forward to our annual planting every year! > > Best regards > Mr. & Mrs. Robin Rosenberg ## Selected projects - [Tropical Heat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tropical-heat-pj-vj~7719224) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - [Skyscraper Vista](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/skyscraper-vista-pj-vj~7719227) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - [Fulton Market Panorama](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fulton-market-panorama-pj-vj~7719937) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Elevated Expectations](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elevated-expectations-pj-vj~7719949) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Superior Terrace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/superior-terrace-pj-vj~660771) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: The owners of this modern condo home in Chicago's exciting River North neighborhood wanted a simple, colorful, casually elegant space for relaxing and parties. We designed a pergola of white-painted metal and ipe slats for shading, added ipe screening along the walls, and planted trees, grasses and annuals to soften the hard lines of the building structure. And....Voila! An urban nightspot that is the envy of all. - [Urban Lanai](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-lanai-pj-vj~5552083) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - [4-Season Roof Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/4-season-roof-garden-pj-vj~5552103) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - [Lakeview Art Piece](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeview-art-piece-pj-vj~2763172) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: Our Lakeview clients appreciate art and form, and wanted their rear terrace to be functional but also reflect their art aesthetic. The centerpiece of the terrace is ‘There’s Cracks Everywhere, That’s How The Light Gets Through’, an explosive, color-soaked 7′ x 12’ acrylic-on-marine board work by Chicago artist James Jankowiak. The painting is so vivid and bold that we strove for a subdued ground plane and plantings, allowing the painting and various boldly colored forms to grab the attention. Se… - [Fruitful Roof Deck](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fruitful-roof-deck-pj-vj~5552122) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 6 - [The Best Seats In The House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-best-seats-in-the-house-pj-vj~2763129) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: If you were to make a list of all the attributes of the perfect room in your house, wouldn’t it include the following? • Sunny Days & Starry Nights • Formal Dining Arrangement • Informal,Cozy Lounging Group • Intimate Chat Nook • Fire Feature • Water Feature • All-Weather Home Theater • Oversized Sunbrella Umbrella w/LED lights and Infrared Overhead Heaters • All-Weather Outdoor Carpets • Mixed Plantings In Sleek Planters • Automatic Irrigation System • Dimmable, Zoneable Landscape Lighting Syst… - [Private Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-spaces-pj-vj~5552110) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - [Huron Aerie](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/huron-aerie-pj-vj~2763096) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: Situated 43 stories above the busy streets of the Gold Coast, our clients’ terrace enjoys the best of many worlds – vast skyscapes, starry nights and wild weather events. Dazzling sunsets and blazing skyscraper lights. The hum of urban energy on the streets below. A cozy, ever-changing environment perfect for a morning coffee, afternoon lemonade or evening cocktail around the fire pit. We started the garden by laying down a ground plane of Evo2/e porcelain tile pavers on a floating pedestal syst… - [French Provincial With A City Twist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-provincial-with-a-city-twist-pj-vj~2072789) - Location: Hinsdale, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: Our clients love the suburban Hinsdale neighborhood they call home, and the French Provincial-style home they built reflects their architectural leanings in its steeply pitched roof, soaring windows and gracious proportions. But they felt their side yard needed a somewhat more contemporary treatment to balance out the home’s strict adherence to the Provincial style. They approached CSG about undertaking their project. Our designer started with a ground plane featuring bands of vanilla brick pave… - [Modern Meets Traditional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-meets-traditional-pj-vj~2072722) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: This Lincoln Park garden is a good example of how we like to bring modern garden elements to more traditional home styles. The centerpiece of this garden is the clean, generous stepper walkway of poured concrete and Techo-Bloc stone pavers flowing up and outward from the patio. An oversized metal planter from Ore grounds the design. Plantings are restrained. The rugged beauty of a knotty cedar fence is highlighted during the evening hours by downlights, and FX bollards in planting beds provide b… - [Evening Garden in Wicker Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/evening-garden-in-wicker-park-pj-vj~83446) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 6 - Description: On a modest garage rooftop in Chicago's Wicker Park CSG installed an eclectic mix of elements including a shade structure of ipe and black bamboo, ipe privacy screens, mixed plantings, colorful cushions and pillows, and a lighting scheme which brings the garden alive after dark. - [Urban Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-courtyard-pj-vj~1297691) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: It all began with the NanaWall. Our Chicago clients and their young family enjoyed the traditional, cluttered walled terrace outside their kitchen, but knew it could be better. Then they discovered NanaWall, the movable glass wall system being installed in contemporary homes across the country. Once the decision was made and NanaWall installed, CSG re-imagined the now-visible outdoor space as a natural extension of their interior kitchen/family room. The result? An open, free-flowing outdoor 3-s… - [Classic Lake Shore Drive Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classic-lake-shore-drive-penthouse-pj-vj~2072695) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: Lake Shore Drive boasts some of the most magnificent views available of downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline, and our clients wanted to take advantage of this amazing location with a functional, restrained rooftop garden to complement their classical-style 9th floor penthouse. We began with a floating ivory porcelain tile deck, then added Domani zinc planter boxes filled with evergreens and grasses for structure and movement. Annual flowers and boxwoods followed. A DCS grill came alo… - [Dynamic Downtown Rooftop Resort](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dynamic-downtown-rooftop-resort-pj-vj~660859) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: CSG emerged the winner of a creative design competition tasked with designing and then installing a multi-function 7th floor terrace space for the tenants of this 50-story Lucien Lagrange-designed condo tower in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Starting from nothing, we divided the space functionally through the use of planters; material changes in the ground plane; conversation pods centered around fire pits, grills, dining tables, sun loungers and kids' play areas. Handsome hardwood panel… - [River North Roof Stage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/river-north-roof-stage-pj-vj~89045) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 1 - Description: This River North roof deck was so exposed to its neighbors that we thought it should be celebrated rather than hidden behind imposing walls and privacy screens. It seemed to us a stage in the center of the city, a platform astride the bustling River North nightlife scene. We created a minimalist pergola of metal and wood composite to match an existing deck, and installed retractable shade panels for those sunniest of days. A birch art sculpture is illuminated against the evening sky by low-volta… - [The Urban Experience, Explained](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-urban-experience-explained-pj-vj~2072757) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: Mix Chicago’s busy passenger rail system with high-rise living, miles-long views of iconic Chicago skyscrapers, the Chicago River and Kennedy Expressway each a stone’s throw away…and you’ve got our client’s rooftop garden. The trains stream out of downtown Chicago just beneath the roof garden’s outer wall, and a rusted-but-working signal trestle spans all 8 rail lines and provides a beautiful example of industrial chic. To take advantage of these urban delights we kept the roof garden open and s… [See all 39 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/chicago-specialty-gardens-inc-pfvwus-pf~973295946) ## Ideabooks - [Lighting](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4819798/list/lighting) — 1 idea - [Oddball stuff](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4337940/list/oddball-stuff) — 3 ideas - [Stairs/Entries](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4666865/list/stairs-entries) — 3 ideas - [Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3594862/list/furniture) — 1 idea - [Pergolas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3594847/list/pergolas) — 1 idea - [contemporary backyards](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3594841/list/contemporary-backyards) — 1 idea - [chicagospecialtygardens's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3292223/list/chicagospecialtygardens-s-ideas) — 2 ideas [See all 7 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/chicagospecialtygardens) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love the mechanical pergola. Is it waterproof? Who makes it?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Solisysteme Bioclimatic pergola. Thanks! **Q: what are the cabinets made of?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Sorry for the late reply! The material is clear cedar. **Q: Fence height** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me the fence height? A: It's just about 8'. **Q: Topiary tree** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me what type of topiary tree is along the fence? A: Sure, that is a "Miss Kim" lilac on a single standard trunk. **Q: marble 2x2's** *(in Photo Questions)* are the marble slabs slippery when wet? thx! A: Thanks for your question. These pavers have some texture to them so there is not a huge amount of slip to them, but some surely. **Q: Love the table! I want to know more!** *(in Photo Questions)* It looks like this is two tables pushed together, correct? Where are the tables from?? Thanks!! A: I'm afraid the table was purchased by our client, I don't know the manufacturer! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*