What retaining wall system did Black Diamond use for this Olympus Cove project?

Black Diamond used Belgard Diamond Pro retaining-wall block in Quarry Face texture and Ashwood colour, finished with Belgard Melville capstone in Scandina. Gravel backfill was installed behind each wall tier.

What type of concrete patio was installed?

The original stamped concrete was removed and replaced with pewter-coloured exposed-aggregate concrete. The patio incorporates a trench drain running along the house to manage surface water.

What artificial turf was used?

MSI Verdura Gold artificial turf was installed in the side yard and along the patio. Concrete stepping pads provide a pathway through the turf area.

Can Black Diamond build terraced retaining walls on a steep hillside?

Yes. This Olympus Cove project is an example of Black Diamond's hillside construction capability. The team cut back and regraded the slope, then constructed two terraced wall tiers with gravel backfill to stabilise the hillside and create usable outdoor space.

Terraced Belgard Diamond Pro retaining walls above a pewter exposed-aggregate patio and polished concrete gas fire feature in an Olympus Cove backyard

Olympus Cove, Salt Lake City, Utah

Portfolio — Hardscapes & Outdoor Living

Olympus Cove Hillside Retreat – Retaining Walls, Fire Feature & Patio

Q: How does the natural-gas fire feature work?

The custom polished-concrete fire feature operates on natural gas with a torpedo-style burner and medium black fire glass. It serves as the visual centrepiece of the outdoor seating area.

A Hillside Backyard Reimagined

Tucked between the home and a steep Olympus Cove hillside, this long, narrow backyard presented a difficult construction challenge. An aging painted block retaining wall was cracking and bulging beneath overgrown vegetation, while worn stamped concrete limited the space's appearance and usability. Black Diamond removed the original wall and paving, cut back and regraded the hillside, and rebuilt the landscape around two terraced retaining-wall tiers. The completed backyard combines Belgard retaining walls, a continuous exposed-aggregate concrete patio, a custom natural-gas fire feature, and artificial turf to create a more inviting outdoor environment.

Project at a Glance

Location: Olympus Cove, Salt Lake City, UT
Scope: Hillside retaining walls, concrete patio, gas fire feature, artificial turf
Wall System: Belgard Diamond Pro — Quarry Face, Ashwood
Capstone: Belgard Melville — Scandina
Patio: Pewter exposed-aggregate concrete with trench drain
Fire Feature: Custom polished concrete, natural gas, torpedo burner, medium black fire glass
Turf: MSI Verdura Gold artificial turf

Watch the Transformation: From Cracking Retaining Wall to Hillside Retreat

Follow this Olympus Cove backyard from the original painted block wall through excavation, terraced retaining-wall construction, and the completed patio and gas fire feature.

Before, During & After

Before, during and after: the old wall comes out, the slope is cut back, and terraced walls frame the new patio and fire feature.

Three-step transformation: the original block wall, the slope cut back during demolition, and the finished terraced walls with a fire feature — Before, during and after: the old wall comes out, the slope is cut back, and terraced walls frame the new patio and fire feature.

Rebuilding the Hillside

Instead of replacing the old wall with another continuous vertical barrier, Black Diamond constructed two terraced retaining-wall tiers. The walls follow the hillside and establish defined planting tiers above the patio. Construction progressed from excavation and hillside regrading through lower-tier wall installation with gravel backfill, then upper-tier construction and capstone placement.

Materials

Block: Belgard Diamond Pro
Texture: Quarry Face
Colour: Ashwood
Backfill: Gravel
Capstone: Belgard Melville — Scandina

Backyard slope cut back and regraded after the old wall and concrete were removed — Demolition done: the old wall and stamped concrete are gone, and the slope has been cut back and regraded.

First tier of Belgard block retaining wall with gravel backfill during construction — First wall tier with gravel backfill.

Crew building the upper terrace of a block retaining wall with gravel backfill — Upper tier under construction.

Belgard Diamond Pro Ashwood retaining wall with Melville Scandina caps beside a concrete fire feature and patio — Quarry Face texture on the Diamond Pro block, finished with Belgard Melville caps in Scandina.

Belgard Diamond Pro — Quarry Face, Ashwood

The Quarry Face texture gives the walls a natural, split-stone appearance that complements the Olympus Cove hillside setting. Belgard Melville capstone in Scandina provides a clean, finished top course across both wall tiers.

Terraced Belgard Diamond Pro retaining walls with block steps climbing an Olympus Cove hillside at sunset

A Continuous Concrete Patio

The original stamped concrete was removed and replaced with pewter-coloured exposed-aggregate concrete. The patio extends along the house and incorporates a trench drain. The continuous surface connects the outdoor seating, dining, and fire-feature areas into a single cohesive outdoor living space.

Pewter exposed-aggregate concrete patio with a trench drain running along the house — Pewter exposed-aggregate concrete with a trench drain running along the house.

A Custom Natural-Gas Fire Feature

The centrepiece of the outdoor living area is a custom polished-concrete fire feature. It provides a visual focal point for the outdoor seating arrangement and operates on natural gas with a torpedo-style burner and medium black fire glass.

Components

Operation: Natural gas
Burner: Torpedo-style
Media: Medium black fire glass
Surround: Polished concrete

Polished concrete gas fire feature with flames and black fire glass beside turf and a dining patio — The polished concrete fire feature runs on natural gas with a torpedo burner and medium black fire glass.

Rectangular polished concrete fire feature on a pewter exposed-aggregate patio next to turf and stepping pads — The fire feature in daylight on the pewter exposed-aggregate patio, with the turf beyond.

Side yard with MSI Verdura Gold turf, concrete stepping pads and terraced block walls along an Olympus Cove home — The narrow side yard now has MSI Verdura Gold turf between the house and the new walls.

Completing the Outdoor Retreat

MSI Verdura Gold artificial turf brings green space into the narrow backyard. Concrete stepping pads provide visual rhythm through the turf. The raised planter surrounding the existing tree and the stepped retaining walls help organise the available space. The finished layout accommodates lounging, dining, and gathering around the fire.

Before & After

The original backyard featured a cracking painted cinder-block wall, overgrown vegetation, and worn stamped concrete. The transformation replaced every element with terraced Belgard walls, exposed-aggregate concrete, and a custom fire feature.

Retaining Walls

Side Yard

Concrete Patio

The Completed Transformation

The finished backyard accommodates lounging, dining, and gathering around the fire — a complete outdoor living environment carved from a challenging hillside.

Elevated view of terraced block retaining walls, a concrete patio with a gas fire feature, and turf behind an Olympus Cove home — From the upper slope: the terraced walls step down to the patio, the fire feature and a turf panel along the house.

Full backyard overview showing the terraced patio, gas fire feature and turf panel from ground level — Patio, fire feature and turf — full overview.

Polished concrete gas fire feature in daylight with black fire glass set into the patio surface — Fire feature in daylight.

Overhead drone view of a rear patio, fire feature, turf and two terraced retaining walls behind an Olympus Cove home — Aerial view of the completed backyard.

Completed Olympus Cove backyard at dusk — terraced Belgard walls, pewter exposed-aggregate patio and polished concrete gas fire feature — Project completion — dusk overview.

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