The Union Pier Hillside Retreat

case study

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Project Information

Location: Union Pier, MI
Client Type: High-End Residential
Project Scope: Hillside Garage, Outdoor Kitchen, Custom Pizza Oven, Pergola, Fire Pit, Extensive Hardscaping & Plantings

Hillside garage with custom stonework and landscaping in Union Pier, MI

From Hillside to Hospitality Hub

When a client in Union Pier approached Starbucks Landscaping with a bold vision of building a garage into a hillside with an outdoor kitchen and pergola on top, they weren’t looking for “off-the-shelf.” They wanted handcrafted. They wanted custom. They wanted heart.

What started as a complex structural challenge turned into one of the most meaningful transformations we've ever been part of.

Luxury outdoor kitchen with built-in pizza oven in Union Pier, MI

Designing an Entertainer’s Dream

The project included:

A garage built into the hillside, with understructure storage.
A custom outdoor kitchen with high-end appliances, a natural stone counter, and covered seating.
A pergola installed atop the garage for shade and style.
A one-of-a-kind pizza oven, crafted entirely from raw materials—no prefabricated kit in sight.
A fire pit and gathering space with seating that encourages lingering conversation.
Elegant stone steps, planting beds, and outdoor lighting to complete the retreat.

Our team even hand-mixed insulation-grade vermiculite and constructed the pizza oven shell around a custom ceramic insert.
The result? A culinary centerpiece that holds heat for hours and gets used daily—sometimes up to three times a day in summer.

What Made the Difference

Custom Craftsmanship: Everything was built from scratch—down to the pizza oven.
Personal Involvement: Dan visited the site daily to ensure precision and clear communication.
Creative Problem Solving: Building into a hill required expertise in drainage, grading, and structure.
Lifelong Clients: We continue to maintain their property and support their evolving needs.

Outdoor patio area with a brick pizzeria oven and bar seating under a white gazebo, surrounded by trees and lush greenery.

The Outcome:

More Than Just Curb Appeal

This project wasn’t just a beautiful backyard—it became the heart of the client’s home. They host regularly, entertain often, and still partner with us for seasonal maintenance. When we visit, the oven is almost always warm—proof that this space isn’t just admired, it’s lived in.

Better yet, this project has generated referrals from HOA meetings and neighbors who’ve experienced the space firsthand. It’s a true testament to the power of exceptional craftsmanship and personalized service.

Gallery

Outdoor bar area with a stone counter, four black chairs, two potted plants, and a small sign that reads 'Gelik's Pizzeria, since 2021', surrounded by a wooded area.

Outdoor kitchen and bar area with a pergola, brick countertops, bar stools, a grill, and a sign for a pizzeria, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Outdoor backyard patio area with a covered bar, fireplace, and seating area surrounded by trees and plants.

An outdoor brick oven with a chimney, stacked firewood underneath, and a cooking surface. A metal pizza peel leans against the right side of the oven, and a small bucket with a spatula is placed on the ground nearby. The area is surrounded by trees a

Outdoor fire pit area with four wooden chairs, small tables, and landscaped garden with flowers and trees.

A backyard patio area with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and a covered bar area. The yard features plants, flowers, and trees with a house in the background.

An outdoor backyard patio area featuring a bar with barstools, a brick pizza oven, and lush green trees in the background.

Outdoor covered kitchen and bar area with grill, bar stools, potted flowers, surrounded by trees.

Outdoor kitchen with grills, granite countertops, and seating area with black chairs under a covered porch in a wooded backyard.

Stone steps leading up a sloped yard with plants and trees, part of a deck with a small outdoor kitchen or bar area in a backyard.

A brick building with a wooden door, two small windows, and outdoor wall lights, surrounded by trees and plants.

“This is why we do what we do.”

“It’s one of my favorite projects because they use it all the time. Knowing it brought that much joy—it’s why we’re in this business.”

— Dan Starbuck, Owner

Build a Space You’ll Never Want to Leave

Whether it’s a custom pizza oven, a garage-turned-gathering space, or a full backyard transformation, we bring passion, creativity, and personal care to every project.