Throughout the Twin Cities, Southview Design landscaping customers are enthusiastic about referring us to friends, neighbors, and family.
We're serious about backyard swimming pool design and installations.
As one of the fastest-growing landscape design firms in the country, there are always employment opportunities at Southview Design.
From the initial meeting to the final walk through, our process is design to deliver a positive experience every time.
Director of Marketing and Business Development
kfilloon@southviewdesign.comOffice (651) 203-3004Mobile (612)282-8834
Southview Design is one of the largest and fastest-growing landscaping companies in MN. With more than 210 employees during the landscape season, we provide both residential and commercial landscape design, construction, and maintenance services. Founded in 1978, the company has completed over 8,000 landscaping projects. Southview's landscape designs have garnered awards from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, the Minnesota Chapter of NARI, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and Professional Remodeler Magazine. In 2021, the company was included on Lawn & Landscape magazine's Top 100 list and ranked #90 on Landscape Management Magazine's LM150 List.
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Articles about Southview Design
Southview ranks #15 on Landscape Management's list of the Top 25 firms in the Midwest (2021).
One of the largest and fastest-growing landscaping companies in Minnesota, Southview Design has been designing and building residential landscapes all over the greater Twin Cities area since 1978. Southview is #15 on the Landscape Management Magazine Top25 list.
Headquarters: St. Paul, MNPhone: (651) 203-3000Founded: 1978Primary Business: Landscape design and construction for Twin Cities areaOwnership: Privately heldEmployees: 60 during the winter months; more than 210 during the landscape installation seasonCustomers: Over 7,000 customers throughout the Twin Cities areaWebsite: www.southviewdesign.com
CEO: Chris CliftonPresident / Partner: Ryan SlipkaChief Operating Officer / Partner: Johannes LouwersVice President, Finance & Administration: Jenny PelantLandscape Designer / Partner: Josh KollerDirector of Marketing & Business Development: Karen FilloonHuman Resources: Paula Aakhus
see award-winning projects
MNLA (Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association) Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping – Slope Be Gone
MNLA Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping – Backyard Outdoor Living and Dining Room
MNLA Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping –Outdoor Living at Every Level
MNLA Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping – Gem Lake Jewel
MNLA Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping – No-Mow Forest Backyard
NALP Silver Award of Excellence (National Association of Landscape Professionals) – Home Sweet Home
Silver Award, NARI MN (National Association of the Remodeling Industry-Minnesota) Contractor of the Year (CoTY), Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Over $250,000 – Home Sweet Home
NALP Silver Award of Excellence (National Association of Landscape Professionals) – Classic Back Yard and Swimming Pool
NARI MN CotY Award for Landscape Design $60k and Over – Classic Back Yard and Swimming Pool
MNLA Landscape Design Award for Excellence in Landscaping – Backyard National Forest
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design – French Quarter Courtyard
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Mid-Century Makeover
NALP Grand Award – Private Lakeside Paradise
NALP Grand Award – Vermillion Vista
NARI MN CotY Award for Landscape Design $60k and Over – French Quarter Courtyard
NALP Grand Award – French Quarter Courtyard
NARI MN CotY award for Landscape Design $60k and Over – Lakeside Jewel
NALP Grand Award – Lakeside Jewel
NALP Merit Award – Mid-Century Makeover
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Pool With A View
NARI North Central Region CotY Award for Landscape Design $60k and Over – Pool With A View
NARI National Award Winner – Pool with a View
MNLA (Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association) Excellence in Landscape Design – Thinking Outside the Deck
NARI Mn CotY Silver Award – Swimming Pool Overhaul
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Swimming Pool Overhaul
PLANET (Professional Landcare Network – now NALP) Recognition Award – Swimming Pool Overhaul
Professional Remodeler Magazine Silver Award – Swimming Pool Overhaul
PLANET National Landscape Awards of Excellence, Merit Award – Northwoods Inspired Backyard Design
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Edina Classic
NARI MN Honorable Mention – Laid-Back Back Yard
PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Recognition Award – Lakeside Award-Winner
Professional Remodeler Magazine – Gold Award – Lakeside Award-Winner
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Lakeside Award-Winner
NARI MN CotY Award for Landscape Design $60k and Over – Lakeside Award-Winner
NARI MN North Central Region Award for Landscape Design – Lakeside Award-Winner
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Janet and Paul’s Award-Winner
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Hillside Forest Retreat
NARI Mn CotY (Contractor of the Year) Award for Landscape Design over $60k – Award-Winning Small Yard
MNLA Excellence in Landscape Design Award – Award-Winning Small Yard
MNLA Landscape Design Award – Green Luxury
2009
MNLA Landscape Design Award – Historic Reflections
MNLA Landscape Design Award – Northwoods Magic
Southwest Metro Magazine, Best Landscaper, 2014Edina's Best Landscaper, Edina Magazine, 2015, 2014 Eagan's Best Landscape, Eagan Sun Newspaper, 2016
Best of Houzz – Design 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013Best of Houzz – Service 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Top 100 2020, Southview Design #93
Fast 50, October 2015
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A typical project begins with an initial meeting with the homeowners to determine their goals and budget and answer questions about Southview’s design-build process and fees, warranty, experience and qualifications.
After measuring the property, the designer produces concepts incorporating desired landscape elements such as a patio, water feature, retaining walls, walkways, and planting beds to name a few along with a preliminary estimate of what it will take to build it, general information about construction methods, and initial suggestions for materials.
Once the homeowner approves the preliminary budget and design, the designer refines the design and layout. If the design includes a deck, pool or other structure, Southview obtains the necessary permits and approvals for the work.
Projects are built in the order of when contracts are signed. Many projects can be built in a couple of days while more complex projects can take a few weeks. The weather can also affect the timing.
On the day the project is completed, the Southview project manager or designer takes the homeowners on a guided tour of their new landscape, providing information about how to care for their new investment.
Since Chris took ownership of the company in 2009, Southview Design has grown its revenues by more than 600 percent, ranking it among the largest landscape firms in the Midwest. Chris attributes this growth to the fact that he took a solid organization with good people and good visibility and continued to invest in marketing the Southview brand, even during the downturn.
Southview uses a different employment model than the majority of privately owned landscape firms. Most of these firms require their employees to wear several different hats – landscape designer, salesperson, crew and supply manager, accountant, etc. At Southview, employees have specialized roles that enable them to work in their area of competency.
Chris is a proponent of the idea that, while product excellence and customer service are important, nothing is more important than providing a great work environment for people who want to thrive and grow in the landscape business. Southview now has more than 50 career landscape professionals whose compensation is tied with revenue growth and profitability, so they’re incentivized to help the company grow.
Chris bought Southview Design only after looking at several different companies that were in related but similar fields to facilities management, a field he had worked in for 24 years. Of all the companies he considered buying, Southview Design was the most well-put-together company in terms of the systems, processes, and quality of staff.
Originally from the Dallas area, Chris holds a BBA in finance from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from Minnesota State University.