Rocco Fiore and Sons Project

The objective on this longstanding partnership was clear from the very beginning—restore a historic Lake Forest tableland landscape and adjoining ravine with appreciation for the deep history, an understanding of the environmental issues driving the call for preservation, a refreshed vision for this space and, ultimately, safe access and usability for generations to come.

There are actually two landscape projects on the property. One is the epic ravine restoration, the twenty-year partnership between the client and the restoration team at Rocco Fiore & Sons who worked through multiple challenges, and the breath-taking result. The ravine itself has been built with dozens of features—some visible, some not—that have enabled the finished restoration to have a sustainable and completely natural appearance. The team naturalized the ravine in the style of Jens Jensen by replanting native trees, mid-story shrubs and perennials, and adding pathways, bridges, and a council ring. The project raised and redirected the streambed back to its 1912 location, stabilized the side slopes and replanted with native species, creating a natural stone streambed. The scope of the project included restoring the ravine—650 feet long and 25-30 foot deep—with over 7.5 million pounds of stone and soil, and nearly 38,000 trees, shrubs and perennials planted.

The other story is the restoration project of the original, historic Jens Jenson landscape immediately surrounding the house. The Rocco Fiore & Sons team remained true to the original vision while improving upon it, bringing it into present day, and making it sustainable. They introduced new plant species that perform better and thrive in the current conditions of the property, notably the predominant shade. The team also made the property more usable and accessible to all manner of groups, creating additional rooms throughout the property so it can be enjoyed in many ways—by the clients themselves, with their family and friends, and as a host location for larger gatherings.