Grand Ledge Unlocks Design Freedom on Lake Ontario

The Challenge: Demo & Retain

Imagine the perfect summer day at Lake Ontario. The sun is shimmering off the water, and you just can’t wait to dive in. But there’s a small problem. Well, maybe a big problem. A dated, wobbly, rickety staircase stands between you and the pristine lakeshore. This was the reality for the Lake Ontario homeowners in this project, and, frankly, they were tired of risking their safety on each trip to the shore. They needed a renovated lakefront where friends, family, and renters could easily access and enjoy, and that’s where Rosetta Hardscape's precast solutions came in.

Originally, the homeowners considered a natural stone retaining wall product to properly retain the site’s eroding cliff, but after learning that there would be no way to access and enjoy the lakeshore with the natural stone design, the President of Terra Vista Landscape Firm, Trevor Jones, suggested the Grand Ledge retaining wall system and complimentary Dimensional Steps to meet the constraints of the property.

Given Grand Ledge's consistent natural-stone-like textures and predictable dimensions, this option would be structurally sound and visually appealing, far surpassing the aesthetics and durability of natural stone, and giving the property’s landscaping a major upgrade.

The Solution: Grand Ledge Makes Lakeside Luxury Possible

Terra Vista leaned on the Grand Ledge system to meet the project’s goals. Partnering with Brown’s Concrete Products, an Ontario-based Rosetta producer, Terra Vista solidified the design with the homeowners and, with start-to-finish installation support, completed the entire project in just 12 weeks. The finished project features:

• A three-tiered Grand Ledge retaining wall with an integrated stairway and railing
• A total of 2,200 sq ft (204.3 sq m) of Grand Ledge blocks.
• 21 Dimensional Steps lead down to a floating, 14 ft x 14 ft (4.2 m x 4.2 m) cantilevered deck, providing full lakeshore access and enjoyment.

The bottom wall was installed at ground level, with additional blocks buried beneath it to help withstand water pressure from the lake. Selecting Grand Ledge for this shoreline project was a smart choice for the long term. Grand Ledge blocks are crafted from wet cast concrete, which holds up extremely well in water and withstands freeze-thaw cycles.

Additionally, block adjustments and cuts were easily hidden to create a flawless appearance, and the new retaining wall system features space for planting, leisure, and storage for outdoor equipment.

This project was a significant investment, both financially and in terms of construction effort. However, the return has been invaluable—the owners now enjoy full access to the waterfront, a dock, and inviting outdoor spaces. Their days of descending a tired staircase on an eroding cliff are finally over. Impressed by Terra Vista’s commitment to their vision, the homeowners shared a glowing Google review for the team:

“Trevor and his team took on an impossible project - a massive shoreline reclamation and back yard upgrade. Our shoreline was eroding and becoming dangerous to access. Not only was this a huge capital investment, we certainly had no knowledge or experience with such a big construction project. From day one, we felt heard. The most important part of being a customer is when someone actually listens to you, discusses things with you and collaborates with you.

Trevor appreciated our budget concerns, drafted numerous proposals, estimates and took the time and care to explain every single detail. Because we were not on-site during the project, Trevor would come on weekends to walk us through the progress every time we were visiting. Lastly, without a pen or paper in his hand, him and his team remembered every little detail we would mention and it would be either corrected or improved on our next visit.

The project turned out absolutely stunning, a true oasis for our backyard on the Bay of Quinte with a retaining wall that will out live us all. The crew Trevor has created, from the office to the excavator are just wonderful humans. The project finished on-time, on budget and we can't be happier. We would definitely work with Terra Vista again!” — Lake Ontario Homeowners

With Grand Ledge, this project demonstrates how Rosetta Hardscape’s precast retaining wall systems can deliver structural reliability while giving designers the freedom to create solutions tailored to each unique site.