Stone and Retaining Walls

Good design starts with structure—and few features are more important or more impactful than a well-built wall.

When your property has hills, slopes, or elevation changes, you need more than a visual feature—you need something functional. That’s where stone and retaining walls come in. At Architectural Landscape Design (ALD), we build custom retaining walls that hold back soil, shape outdoor spaces, and create natural flow throughout your yard.

But these walls aren’t just about strength. They also bring beauty and order to your space. Whether it’s a natural boulder wall, a cut stone wall, or a modular block system, every wall we build is tailored to your home, your style, and your long-term needs.

Stone & Retaining Walls: Strength Meets Style in Every Build

Retaining walls are structural elements designed to support soil laterally and prevent erosion or collapse on sloped areas. Stone walls, on the other hand, can be structural or decorative and are built using natural or engineered stone. While both types of walls add definition to your yard, retaining walls are especially critical where grade changes create functional or safety challenges. The most common wall types we build include:

Natural boulder retaining walls: great for large elevation changes and a rugged, natural look.
Cut stone walls: perfect for a classic or clean design with strong structure.
Modular block walls: highly customizable and ideal for tiered gardens or patios.
Freestanding stone walls: used for edging, seating, or visual definition.

Each type has its own benefits, and we’ll help you choose what works best based on your site and design goals.

Walls That Work: Real Projects, Real Results

Over the years, we’ve completed retaining wall projects ranging from basic functional builds to large, multi-tiered systems that completely reshape a property. Some of our recent projects include:

A multi-level retaining wall system to stabilize a steep backyard and create flat, usable terraces for entertaining
Boulder walls integrated with stone steps to transition from an upper lawn to a lakeside patio
A cut limestone wall with integrated lighting, built as part of a front yard entry makeover
Natural stone seat walls surrounding a fire pit and patio area for added seating and style

We’ve also rebuilt walls that failed due to poor installation by other contractors—making sure they’re reinforced properly and built to last.

What Can Go Wrong Without the Right Wall Builder?

We get a lot of calls to repair or rebuild failed retaining walls. Unfortunately, most of these issues could’ve been avoided with proper installation. Here’s what can go wrong when a wall isn’t built correctly:

Leaning or collapsed walls due to missing or inadequate base material
Bulging from poor drainage, causing hydrostatic pressure to build up
Cracking or separation from improper tie-ins or weak materials
Erosion around the wall from skipped drainage systems or geo-fabric
Sinking or shifting walls that were never compacted or engineered properly

Once these problems start, they don’t stop—and the fix can be costly. That’s why choosing the right contractor from the beginning matters.

How We Build Walls That Last

When you hire ALD to build a retaining wall or stone feature, we don’t just come in and start stacking blocks. We follow a detailed process that ensures your wall will perform well for years to come—both structurally and visually.

On-site consultation: We visit your property to evaluate soil conditions, drainage, slope, and access. We listen to what you want the wall to do—support a patio, stop erosion, improve curb appeal—and take detailed measurements.
Design & planning: We create a custom plan that fits your property, budget, and preferences. This includes material recommendations, drainage planning, and structural details.
Excavation & base prep: We excavate to the proper depth and build a solid base layer using compacted aggregate. This is one of the most important steps—and one of the most commonly skipped by less experienced installers.
Wall construction: We install stone or block according to engineering specs, adding geogrid or tiebacks where necessary, and ensuring each layer is level and properly set.
Backfilling & drainage: We install drainage tile, crushed rock, and geo-fabric to keep water away from the wall and prevent future issues.
Finishing touches: Whether it’s capping the wall with decorative stone, blending in with surrounding beds, or integrating lighting or steps, we make sure the final result looks as good as it performs.

Why Homeowners Trust ALD for Rock-Solid Results

Retaining walls are one of the most technical elements in a residential outdoor build. They need to be strong, properly engineered, and built to last in Minnesota’s freeze-thaw climate. Here’s what makes us different:

Experience with challenging grades: We know how to work with sloped lots, poor soil, and drainage-sensitive areas.
Skilled crews: Our team is trained, certified, and follows best practices for excavation, reinforcement, and stone placement.
Design-forward approach: We don’t just build a wall; we build a solution that works with your home’s overall look and function.
Long-term thinking: We build walls to last. We use proper materials, take our time during base prep, and ensure every detail is right.

Most importantly, we stand by our work. You can count on a finished product that not only holds up but looks great doing it.

Let’s Build a Wall That Works

Whether you need a retaining wall to fix a slope or a stone wall to define your outdoor space, we’re here to help. Our team is ready to evaluate your property, talk through options, and design a wall that fits your goals, your home, and your budget.