Jon Gross Building Arts Introduce
Jon Gross Building Arts, based in Champaign, Illinois, is a highly specialized firm that expertly bridges the gap between creative landscape architecture and robust general contracting. With over four decades of experience, owner Jon Gross operates as an award-winning landscape designer, planner, and installer, bringing a unique blend of artistry and engineering to every project across the Illinois region. The company’s core philosophy is that "good design can improve the quality of life," focusing on creating outdoor living spaces that are memorable, functional, and seamlessly integrated with the architecture and natural environment of the property.
The firm’s expertise extends far beyond simple planting, encompassing major hardscaping elements like custom patios, retaining walls, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens. Functioning as a landscape architect, deck builder, and masonry contractor, Jon Gross Building Arts offers a comprehensive, start-to-finish service. This approach ensures a cohesive "master plan" that modifies or eliminates negative site factors while enhancing positive ones, resulting in a skillfully finished project that looks like it was always intended to be there.
Customer feedback consistently underscores the value of this integrated approach. Reviewers praise Jon's "unbelievable eye for transforming outdoor living" and his ability to find the "perfect balance of his own design ideas with our requirements and budget." Whether it’s providing privacy with screening trees, installing custom stone borders, or managing large-scale, multi-phase projects like a complex sunken garden remodel, clients trust the skill, flexibility, and vision of Jon Gross Building Arts to deliver a truly unique and special outdoor space in Illinois.
Jon Gross Building Arts is professionally situated within Champaign, Illinois, providing a central base of operations to serve residential and commercial clients throughout the city and surrounding Central Illinois communities. While the design and construction work are performed on the client's property, the administrative and planning center is located at a convenient address.
The operational address is:
- 312 Tiffany Ct, Champaign, IL 61822, USA
The business is committed to making initial consultations and planning accessible to all potential clients in Illinois.
- Accessibility features include a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
- Initial consultation often begins with a complimentary Phone Consultation to discuss the project scope and budget.
Jon Gross Building Arts offers a highly specialized and comprehensive suite of services that integrate architecture, horticulture, and construction. Their offerings are designed to create complete, functional, and beautiful outdoor rooms and living spaces.
- Design and Consulting Services:
- Initial Consultation, Site Survey, and Inventory.
- Conceptual Design, Design Development, and Master Plan creation.
- Bidding Management and Construction Documents preparation.
- Landscape Planning & Consulting, including coordination of builders, surveyors, and engineers.
- Sustainable Landscape design and Water Conservation strategies.
- Hardscape Construction and Masonry:
- Patios and Flagstone Patios (brick, flagstone, and pavers).
- Retaining Walls and Seat Walls (Natural Stone and Mortared Brick/Stone).
- Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Fire Features.
- Outdoor Kitchens and Serving Tables.
- Decks and Pergolas, functioning as a Deck Builder.
- Fencing installation and Natural Stone Steps.
- Landscape and Water Features:
- Plantings & Gardens and Creative Designs.
- Installation of Screening Trees and Shrubs.
- Pond And Waterfall features, Pools & Spas, and Swimming Pools integration.
- Erosion and Drainage solutions (including regrading and downspout extensions).
- Specialized Technical Systems:
- Landscape Lighting and LED Lighting systems.
- Lawn Irrigation System design and installation (Commercial Irrigation).
- Rain Sensors and System Maintenance, including Spring Start services.
For Illinois clients seeking exceptional quality and custom solutions, Jon Gross Building Arts offers several distinct features that ensure a superior result:
- Award-Winning Expertise: Jon Gross is a degreed Landscape Designer with over 40 years of experience, bringing a high level of professional education and practical expertise to every project.
- Intentional "Master Plan" Design: The approach is not piece-meal; every element is designed to compliment the architecture and blend with the environment, resulting in cohesive, high-value outdoor rooms.
- Hardscape Mastery: The firm’s classification as a Bricklayer and Masonry Contractor ensures high-quality execution of structural elements like stone walls, brick patios, and custom fire features—the functional backbone of the landscape.
- Holistic Outdoor Living Focus: Services extend beyond gardens to include Outdoor Living Areas, Outdoor Kitchens, custom Pergolas, and even the design integration of Pools & Spas, making them a true single-source contractor for complex outdoor renovations.
- Proven Project Management: Reviews highlight the successful management of large, multi-phase projects and the effective collaboration with clients, ensuring flexibility and mutual success even with complex installations.
- Commitment to Environment: Jon Gross emphasizes being a "steward of the environment," incorporating sustainable landscape solutions and water conservation techniques like Rain Sensors into designs.
To discuss your next exterior project, from a new landscape master plan to the installation of an outdoor kitchen, please use the following contact details for Jon Gross Building Arts in Champaign, Illinois.
Address: 312 Tiffany Ct, Champaign, IL 61822, USA
Phone: (217) 390-0693
The best way to start the process and leverage the owner's expertise is to utilize the option for a free phone consultation to outline your vision, requirements, and budget for your Illinois property.
Choosing Jon Gross Building Arts is a decision to invest in elite-level design and craftsmanship for your Illinois property's exterior. What is most worth choosing is the unparalleled fusion of the Landscape Architect's vision with the General Contractor's execution. Unlike many landscape companies that outsource the masonry and complex construction, Jon Gross Building Arts possesses in-house expertise as a Bricklayer and Masonry Contractor, ensuring the structural integrity and aesthetic quality of the hardscape elements are flawless.
This intentional, full-service process—from the initial Site Survey to the final Landscape Installation—eliminates the risks and headaches often associated with coordinating multiple specialists. For Illinois homeowners and businesses aiming for a significant transformation—such as a custom sunken garden patio remodel with retention walls, fire pits, and intricate flagstone work—this firm’s ability to deliver "super special, unique space" that "seem like it's always been there" is the primary value proposition. Clients gain a guaranteed, cohesive, and award-winning design solution, expertly built to last, significantly enhancing the value and enjoyment of their entire property.
Jon Gross Building Arts Services
Landscape Designer
- Bidding Management
- Commercial Irrigation
- Comprehensive Services
- Concept Designs
- Conceptual Design
- Creative Designs
- Decks
- Decks & Pergolas
- Design And Install
- Design Development
- Fencing
- Fire Features
- Fire Pits
- Home Services
- Initial Consultation
- Irrigation System
- Landscape Consultation
- Landscape Installation
- Landscape Lighting
- Landscape Master Plan
- Landscape Planning & Consulting
- Landscaping Design
- Landscaping Designs
- Landscaping Home
- Landscaping Project
- Lawn Irrigation System
- Led Lighting
- Master Plan
- New Landscape Plan
- Outdoor Creations
- Outdoor Fireplaces
- Outdoor Funishings
- Outdoor Kitchens
- Outdoor Living Areas
- Outdoor Living Spaces
- Outdoor Rooms
- Patios
- Phone Consultation
- Plantings & Gardens
- Pond And Waterfall
- Pools & Spas
- Rain Sensors
- Residential And Commercial
- Seat Walls
- Site Design
- Site Survey
- Spring Start
- Sustainable Landscape
- Swimming Pools
- System Maintenance
- Water Conservation
Jon Gross Building Arts Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Jon Gross Building Arts Photos









Jon Gross Building Arts Location
Jon Gross Building Arts
312 Tiffany Ct, Champaign, IL 61822, USA
Jon Gross Building Arts Reviews
jobbackyardworkidea
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Jon was great at providing the perfect balance of his own design ideas with our requirements and budget. He encouraged us to visit nurseries to find inspiration as well as look at what he envisioned for our yard. He was able to landscape our front yard so that it was in keeping with the aesthetic of the neighborhood, used existing plantings when he could, and even buried our downspouts. The backyard is where Jon really excelled. He performed some excavation work around an existing concrete slab to regrade the slope and placed a new stone border around it, which finished the overall look of the hardscape. He also planted screening trees and shrubs around the perimeter of our yard that worked with existing sight lines and provided quite a bit of privacy.
September 08 · Robert MeagherSunken Garden/Patio RemodelYears of overgrowth and a few missed opportunities left us scratching our heads after moving into a house with a sunken garden / walkout basement patio. Good referrals for Jon sparked an on-site ideation session and it was clear he had both the vision and the skillsets to transform our space. The project was massive and ended up being multiple phases; which Jon did forecast in those initial meetings. We began talking at the height of the pandemic, so flexibility and patience was key to mutual success. We're glad we collaborated so heavily through all the phases! It's now a super special, unique space that seems like it's always been there!List of projects embedded in the phases: new retention wall, excavation behind existing walls, excavation of bottom level and regrade, brick + flagstone patio, custom pergola, stone and walkway lighting, new patio on upper level, serving table, additional staircase, fire pit, planters with topsoil and mushroom compost, trees and shrubs, downspout extensions, regraded and relaid flagstone walkway from drive/lane.
April 06 · Bob Dignan5 stars: creativity, design, quality, communication4 stars: project length, “on the fly” decisionsThis is going to be a lengthy review.My husband and I have wanted an outdoor space and outdoor kitchen for years. Early in the year, we reached out to four landscape architects and met with three. We had a strong vision of what we wanted when we met with each. Jon was the only one who seemed to listen, understand the design, flow, function, and budget we were seeking, and not push us in a different direction. He took the time to look at our home and our furnishings, to get to know our tastes, and to design with that in mind.We went through multiple design drafts until we settled on the perfect look and design we wanted. He was up front with us about how decisions we made would affect our budget, while being extremely conscious to stay within the number we gave him. There were many instances where it seemed as though we both compromised with the end result being the best result. And that, coupled with his creativity and knowledge produced an unbelievable outdoor space.While his creativity and architectural design is phenomenal, Jon’s workmanship is the most impressive. From start to finish, his work was top notch. Jon was present, on site, every day. He cut every board, placed and mortared each stone, and put time and thought into each detail. As our project dragged on, his quality never compromised. I had a list of details for Jon to address toward the end and before I even mentioned them to him, he took care of them because he had a list too.The biggest drawback to Jon’s meticulous nature is that it added a significant amount of time to the project. Fortunately we were not in a hurry, as we wanted something that would last for many years, but I am giving him four stars for project length, as it took quite a bit longer to complete.Jon communicated well throughout the whole project. My husband and I joked about our weekly meetings, but they were crucial. As more of a planner type person, there were a few “on the fly” decisions we had to make than I personally wanted, but the integrity and design were never compromised. Jon communicated well through each one, listened to our ideas and concerns. We often had to go back and forth to land where we wanted, and sometimes Jon needed the night to think about it, but only once did a portion of the project move forward without everyone being aligned.When we selected Jon as our landscape architect, we knew the design would morph as he went along. He was always thinking of small improvements or new ways to tackle the issue of the day. He also experimented with us, doing his first ever stainless steel and cedar pergola.For us, it all paid off as we now have a unique, functional, and gorgeous outdoor space that is the envy of all of our family and friends.
January 05 · Ashley ManloveJon did an amazing job of replacing our front porch and reworking our landscaping. His design really brightened up and beautified our front yard. He took out the old front porch and created a much more functional and beautiful area. The curb appeal on our house has gone up 100%. He added a few fun extras such as lighting and a river of rocks to redirect my water flow. He redid the beds in the front and part of the backyard and everything flows so much better.
August 09 · Carrie ValeteJon has done a magnificent job with various projects on our property. He is very proactive and motivated. He has a good artistic vision to come up with designs that pay attention to practical functionality. He then implements them quickly with good attention to quality. These are attributes that can be hard to find with contractors. He is pleasant and easy to communicate with. His work so far has exceeded my expectations.
January 02 · Douglas Armstrong
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