Business Details
21 Years
experience
Award-Winning Pool & Landscape Designers in Sydney
Urban Escape has been dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces for over two decades, specialising in award-winning swimming pool designs and landscaping solutions across Sydney's Northern Beaches and North Shore. Our family-owned business prioritises quality craftsmanship, innovative design, and a seamless client experience, managing every stage from initial consultation to council approvals and construction. With a team of qualified horticulturists and tradesmen, we deliver tailored outdoor living areas that enhance both lifestyle and property value. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our industry recognition, including multiple SPASA awards, and our inclusion in leading design publications. We pride ourselves on transparent communication, meticulous attention to detail, and a stress-free process that ensures client satisfaction from concept to completion.Our expertise extends to structural landscaping, timber and stone work, and pool renovations, catering to both new builds and property enhancements. Backed by 20 years of experience and a reputation for reliability, we handle projects of all scales while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Our team's deep understanding of local council requirements ensures efficient project delivery without compromising on design integrity. Client testimonials highlight our ability to transform challenging spaces into functional, aesthetically pleasing environments that exceed expectations. As an ABN-registered business with a proven track record, Urban Escape remains committed to creating outdoor spaces that stand the test of time.
Services
Swimming pools
Landscape design
Structural landscaping
Pool renovations
Council approvals
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in Sydney's outdoor design industry
- Our family-owned business handles all council approvals seamlessly
- Award-winning designs recognised by SPASA and industry publications
- We provide end-to-end project management from concept to completion
- Our team includes qualified horticulturists and licensed builders
Associations and certifications
- SPASA
What people say
Professional and knowledgeable team
Stress-free process from start to finish
Excellent stone work quality
Transparent budget process
Award-winning design expertise
Services
Swimming pools
We design and build custom swimming pools tailored to Sydney's unique landscapes. Our award-winning team handles everything from initial concept to final construction, ensuring compliance with local council regulations while maintaining design integrity. Clients benefit from our 20-year track record of delivering durable, aesthetically pleasing pools that enhance property value and lifestyle.
Landscape design
Our landscape design service creates functional outdoor spaces that complement architectural styles and client lifestyles. We produce detailed concept plans, 3D designs, and council documentation while maintaining a focus on sustainable horticultural practices. Our integrated approach ensures seamless transitions between built elements and natural features.
Structural landscaping
We specialise in structural landscaping elements including timber features, stone work, and outdoor living areas. Our licensed builders deliver high-quality installations ranging from small garden features to large-scale transformations. This service combines aesthetic design with practical functionality for lasting outdoor spaces.
Pool renovations
Our renovation service revitalises existing pools with modern design elements and improved functionality. We assess structural integrity, update safety features, and enhance surrounding landscapes to bring tired pools up to contemporary standards while maintaining compliance with current regulations.
Council approvals
We manage the complete approvals process for pool and landscaping projects, leveraging our expertise in local council requirements. This service includes preparing documentation, submitting applications, and liaising with authorities to ensure timely project commencement without compromising design objectives.
People
Nick McCarthy
Director
With a Bachelor of Horticultural Science, Nick leads our team with 20 years' experience in landscape design and pool construction. He holds a Structural Landscape & Swimming Pool Builders License and has received multiple industry awards for innovative designs that combine Australian lifestyle needs with international design principles.
Questions
Do you handle both pool and landscape design?
Yes, we specialise in integrated pool and landscape design, ensuring cohesive outdoor spaces that maximise functionality and aesthetics.
Which areas do you service?
We operate across Sydney's Northern Beaches, North Shore, and surrounding metropolitan areas.
Can you manage council approvals?
Yes, our team handles all council submissions and approvals as part of our comprehensive service package.
What qualifications do your team hold?
Our team includes licensed builders and horticulturists with specialist expertise in structural landscaping and pool construction.
How long does a typical project take?
Project timelines vary by scope but we prioritise efficient delivery while maintaining strict quality standards.
Are you insured for large projects?
Yes, we maintain full professional indemnity and public liability insurance for all our projects.
Reviews (7)
Duncan Bathgate
Apr 09, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
We engaged Nick and the team after a referral from a happy past client and inspecting past projects. Found the team to be professional, punctual and efficient. Nick has an all-round love of landscape design and this enthusiasm is evident in all his projects. The backyard and pool are a joy to behold each and every day.
Service:Design
We engaged Nick and the team after a referral from a happy past client and inspecting past projects. Found the team to be professional, punctual and efficient. Nick has an all-round love of landscape design and this enthusiasm is evident in all his projects. The backyard and pool are a joy to behold each and every day.
Service:Design
Virginie Aka V. P. Colombo
Apr 04, 2021
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Its was a pleasure to have Nick and his team transforming our tiny backyard into a boutique hotel feel plunge pool area. The design is amazing with great attention to detail. The boys were always on time, polite, friendly, cleaned at the end of each work day. They worked even when it rained. Nick was present and helpful throughout the entire project, and he always answered promptly to our questions and/or came to the site to help us run the pool (as its our first). I never thought I would ever say that about renovations/demolition/construction, but well miss having them around.
Thanks
Thanks
Ron Koehler
Dec 30, 2020
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Nick,
Just a short note to let you know how pleased we are with our new swimming pool and landscaped gardens. Your staff were hardworking and courteous at all times and your own approach to our project was always proactive and professional. We found the suggestions you put forward on the design details to have been crucial to the projects success. Once again thanks for all your hard work and Ill be sure to recommend yourself and your business to anyone looking for landscape design / swimming pools or landscaping. Kind Regards Ron
Just a short note to let you know how pleased we are with our new swimming pool and landscaped gardens. Your staff were hardworking and courteous at all times and your own approach to our project was always proactive and professional. We found the suggestions you put forward on the design details to have been crucial to the projects success. Once again thanks for all your hard work and Ill be sure to recommend yourself and your business to anyone looking for landscape design / swimming pools or landscaping. Kind Regards Ron
Sally McSweeney
Dec 05, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
Nick and his team did a great job with our pool and landscaping. He was upfront with the costs so there were no surprises and the quality of the work has been great. Very professional and worked well with our builders to ensure the job was done on time.
Nick and his team did a great job with our pool and landscaping. He was upfront with the costs so there were no surprises and the quality of the work has been great. Very professional and worked well with our builders to ensure the job was done on time.
Michelle Dakin
Nov 30, 2020
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We had a great experience with Urban Escapes who were not only a pleasure to deal with but also created an amazing finished product. Nick and his team did both the design and construction of our backyard including swimming pool, cabana, bbq area and a fire pit. They were responsive, honest and produced a high quality product - including winning pool of the year. Any issues that arose during the build and afterwards were handled swiftly by Nick who has high standards of service and a great deal of pride in his work. Highly recommend.
Cat Walters
Oct 20, 2020
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We thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Urban Escape who recently completed our pool and garden. From concept to completion Nick and the team were professional, hard working, efficient and friendly. Any challenges that arose were quickly dealt with through excellent communication and helpful advice - especially important when the site is small and the local council is strict. Each day we were greeted with friendly smiles, easy conversation and respect for our house. The site was always left well organised and neat. On completion of the job the site was left in perfect condition with nothing
Glen Hurley
Sep 28, 2020
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Hi Nick, as discussed we are super happy with the project. We have been using the pool & studio daily. We also love the landscaping front and back with the front works really adding to the street appeal of our home. The quality of the work could not be better. Please thank the boys again for all of their work and making sure that it all came together including the advice along the way. We appreciated the professional & friendly way that the team went about their work. We have been recommending you and Urban Escape to our friends so hopefully these referrals work their way through to you and they
