The sunken garden is the centerpiece of the new Preston Centre redevelopment downtown. The installation was a monumental endeavor that transformed the basement of a former two-story bank lobby into a vibrant green space. Spanning 120’x50’ (6000 SF), the project required meticulous planning and execution to integrate hardscape and landscape elements seamlessly. As part of the contract, we also installed the landscaping around the adjacent restaurant, further enhancing the area's appeal.

The landscape design drew inspiration from iconic urban parks like the High Line Park in New York, aiming to create a park-like atmosphere in the heart of downtown Columbus.

The installation featured a diverse selection of materials, including 46 trees, 200 shrubs, and 1,500 perennials.

The project utilized 1,200 cubic yards of custom-blended soil and a comprehensive subsurface drainage system with 50 tons of drainage aggregates and 400 linear feet of drain tile.

 The project included 485 LF granite street Curb, and 650 LF granite planter curb on the beds surrounding the garden.

A tremendous effort went into sourcing a beautiful Hindu Pan tree for the restaurant's streetside landscaping. Handpicked for its unique growth pattern, our team and the designer methodically rotated the tree to showcase it at its best.

The client also wanted to include an Araucaria araucana, commonly called the monkey puzzle tree. This tree’s native habitat is the lower slopes of the Chilean and Argentine south-central Andes. Considering this climate, the tree is not thriving but is still alive. The client is considering our recommendation of replacing the tree and moving the monkey puzzle tree to his personal greenhouse.

At street level, we installed 4,330 square feet of porcelain tile pavers on pedestals to mirror the natural bluestone at the garden's base. Although the initial design specified natural bluestone, the limited depth available due to the underground space for the future restaurant necessitated the use of porcelain tiles.

330 square feet of porcelain tile pavers were used for the stair system

We used 300 square feet of bluestone pavers in the garden, providing a sophisticated and timeless look with a natural, elegant feel.

This project provided us with the unique opportunity to work with plants we don't normally use. For example, between the bluestone pavers, we installed 400 square feet of different moss varieties.

This image highlights the diverse varieties of mosses, showcasing their unique textures and colors.

The large koi pond is a highlight of the garden and features100 aquatic plants. Adding the fish towards the end of the project presented a unique challenge for the team.

The team utilized cranes to install 18 sizable trees, each 3.5 to 4 inches in diameter, overcoming logistical challenges posed by the narrow stairwell access to the garden.

Plants were installed with precision to account for varying microclimates created by heat from the large windows, ensuring optimal growth in the diverse environment.

The sunken garden was a unique challenge and required our team to use creative measures, thinking through problems to complete it successfully. We worked under the strict requirements and high expectations of the customer, ensuring every detail met their standards. We are thrilled with the outcome and are proud to have contributed to such a transformative and visually stunning space.