Key Takeaways:
Photos: Asal Homes
The property sits on a steep hillside overlooking protected green hills and a reservoir below. From the beginning, the goal was to design something elevated enough to match the architecture of the home, while allowing the view to remain the focal point.
— The 90-foot infinity edge is the architectural anchor. It extends across the hillside and projects outward, visually dissolving into the reservoir below with an intentionally simple design.
— We used the slope to create a layered outdoor experience. We sketched on site, responding to the pitch and the natural drop of the land, and that concept shaped the entire yard.
— The complexity is structural, not visual. Because the pool overhangs the hill, massive caissons and structural pillars support it, with a catch basin system below the edge to collect and recirculate water for the seamless spillover effect.
What makes a luxury hillside backyard design successful?
A luxury hillside backyard design works best when it uses the slope to create levels, preserves sightlines to the view, and relies on restraint instead of visual clutter. The most successful designs treat engineering, proportion, and layout as the foundation of luxury.
A Multi-Level Yard Designed Around the View
This is what it looks like to bring the resort into your own backyard.
This project was inspired by our client’s love for the Rosewood in Santa Barbara. That influence shaped everything from the architectural detailing to the warmth of the materials, and it ultimately became the foundation for a modern hacienda backyard that feels timeless and lived-in from the moment you step outside.
What makes the transformation even more impressive is what the yard started as.
This was a blank slate. A standard tract-lot backyard with an unusual shape, a challenging layout, and no existing structure to build around. But instead of forcing the space into a predictable plan, we allowed the property lines, view corridors, and natural flow of the yard to guide the design.
The result is a modern hacienda backyard design that feels cohesive, functional, and genuinely enjoyable to use. It’s a space designed for family life, for hosting, and for quiet evenings outdoors, all within a setting that feels elevated and intentional.
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Luxury Backyard Design on a Steep Bel Air Hillside
Before we ever started building, the client made one thing clear.
He told us, “You have to come and impress me before I sign with you.” At the time, we had never completed a Bel Air project, and we knew we wanted the opportunity.
When we arrived, the property was essentially a blank slate. It was an empty lot built on a steep slope. A shell of the pool structure had started, but beyond that, there wasn’t much to show.
So we sat on site and sketched. Quick lines. A few levels. Different ideas responding directly to the pitch of the land. The concept was simple, but it was enough for him to see what the property could become.
He loved it and hired us.
Looking back at the before footage now, it’s incredible to see how much of the design was shaped by the hillside itself. Even standing near the edge, it still feels like you’re floating.
The 90-Foot Infinity Edge Pool Overlooking the Reservoir
The first element that defines the yard is the pool.
This infinity pool is approximately 90 feet long, and it became the architectural anchor of the entire property. One of the most important things for us in design is creating alignment with the architecture, while also responding to the geography around it.
This is one of the most tranquil settings we’ve worked in, and the design reflects that. You won’t see dramatic or unnecessary water features. It’s intentionally simplistic.
But the build itself was anything but simple.
Because the pool hangs over the hill, the structure alone was extremely expensive. The pool itself was roughly a two million dollar investment.
One of the most important design decisions was at the infinity edge. Typically, you would see a concrete strip called coping. Here, the turf runs all the way up to the waterline.
The water flows through a narrow channel and disappears into the distance, visually blending into the reservoir below. That connection is what makes the moment so powerful. The water is far away, but it feels like it’s connected.
Structural Engineering Behind the Infinity Edge Pool
When you move below the pool, you see what makes it possible.
Huge structural pillars support an incredible amount of weight. Because the slope runs toward the back of the property, the overhang requires massive caissons holding everything in place.
This is where much of the cost went.
Below the infinity edge is a full catch basin system. The basin itself floats over the hillside, and plumbing inside recirculates the water back into the pool.
That water is pushed back to the top, flows over the edge, and creates the seamless infinity effect.
It’s an impressive feat when you’re building something that overhangs a hill at this scale. Many projects don’t do it simply because of how expensive it is. But on this property, the effect is unmatched.
Spacious Outdoor Living on a Steep Bel Air Lot
What’s truly impressive about this yard is the amount of usable space.
Even on a very steep pitched lot, the outdoor living areas feel spacious and generous. The design integrates fully with the interior, creating true indoor-outdoor California living.
There are endless options for where to sit and gather. Lounge zones, dining areas, and open entertaining spaces were layered across the property.
And no matter where you are, the view is present. The green hills, the reservoir below, and the city beyond.
What’s especially unique is how the space performs. Whether it’s just the homeowners enjoying it privately or a large event with upwards of 100 people, the yard still doesn’t feel crowded.
To have this much open space in prime Bel Air on an incredibly steep pitched lot is what makes this residence so valuable and rare.
Designing Around Protected Hillside Views in Los Angeles
Behind the main lounge area is a water feature designed primarily for sound.
In person, it has a soft, zen, spa-like quality. Sitting there with the view in front of you and the sound behind you, the atmosphere feels calm and intentional.
And what makes the setting even more special is that these are protected views. Nothing will ever be built on the green hills behind the property. In Los Angeles, that is truly one of a kind.
The simplicity of the design throughout the yard exists for one reason: to celebrate where the home sits.
Lower-Level Wellness and Luxury Interior Amenities
The interior of this home is just as impressive as the exterior.
The bottom level includes a full wellness gym overlooking the hillside, along with a dedicated wellness center featuring massage tables, a cold plunge, a secondary spa, a steam shower, and a sauna.
There is also a private movie theater and a full bowling alley.
The house functions like a private resort, and the exterior design had to match that experience.
This is also a three-story home, and this level is only the beginning.
Front Entry Design With Onyx, Water, and Infinity Fountain
The front entry sets the tone for everything behind it.
Onyx panels introduce soft ambient lighting. The fact that the material is translucent allows it to glow and frame the view through the approach.
A large infinity edge fountain anchors the entry sequence, and an olive tree has been sculpted into a refined form resembling something closer to a bonsai.
There is even a hidden water feature layered into the design — an element that isn’t immediately visible but adds depth to the experience.
The entry was designed to build gradually, leading toward the reveal of the view beyond the home.
Main Level Design: Framing the View With Water and Fire
On the main level, the entry experience is intentional.
As soon as the front door opens, you’re met not only with the view, but with a water and fire feature that draws your eye forward and frames the landscape beyond it.
As the sun shifts throughout the day, the view shifts with it. It changes hour by hour.
The upper patio is nearly the same size as the lower patio, offering even more outdoor space. One of the boldest design choices here is the embedded LED lighting. It brings illumination to the large patio without disturbing the view.
The outdoor kitchen is also positioned as an extension of the architecture. It feels like it was always meant to be part of the home. And from a functional standpoint, placing the barbecue directly adjacent to the main kitchen creates the ideal flow for entertaining.
Design That Works With Your Property
What makes this project stand out is how the yard works with what was already there. The infinity edge was positioned to visually connect to the reservoir below. The outdoor living areas were layered to create real, usable space across the hillside. And the simplicity throughout the design allows the architecture and the landscape to remain the focus.
If you’re thinking about your own property and trying to figure out what’s possible, book a free design consultation call with our team. We’ll walk through your space, your goals, and how to approach the design in a way that actually makes sense for your lot.
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See how we transformed this $38M hillside estate in Bel Air. It started as an empty lot, and we turned it into a multi-level indoor–outdoor oasis designed to feel like a private resort. In this video, we break down what makes this indoor–outdoor home feel so immersive, including:
-How we designed a 90-foot infinity pool that hangs over the hillside and blends into the reservoir below
-The luxury features we added to create a spa-like atmosphere throughout the outdoor space
-How we planned seating and circulation to feel spacious for everyday living and 100-person parties
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a luxury hillside backyard like this cost in Bel Air?
A: A project like this can easily reach into the multi-million dollar range. On this property alone, the 90-foot infinity edge pool was roughly a two million dollar investment because of the structural work required to build it over the hillside.
Q: Why are infinity edge pools so expensive on steep hillside properties?
A: When a pool hangs over a slope like this, you are not just building the pool itself. You are building the structure that holds it up. Massive caissons, structural pillars, and a full catch basin system underneath are what make that overhang possible.
Q: How does a 90-foot infinity edge pool create the infinity effect?
A: The water flows over the edge into a basin below the pool, and that water is recirculated back to the top. Because the edge is aligned with the view, it creates the feeling that the pool blends directly into the horizon.
Q: What makes this Bel Air backyard feel connected to the reservoir below?
A: It comes down to alignment and restraint. The infinity edge was positioned to visually connect to the reservoir in the distance, and we ran turf directly to the waterline instead of using traditional coping so nothing interrupts that transition.
Q: How do you design a luxury backyard on a steep lot?
A: You work with the land instead of trying to force it into something else. On this property, the yard was designed as layered outdoor living areas so the space feels intentional and usable while still keeping the views open.
Q: What makes outdoor living space feel spacious even on a steep hillside?
A: It is really about layout and circulation. Multiple seating areas, dining zones, and open gathering space allow the yard to function whether it is just the homeowners enjoying it or a large group of guests. The goal is for it to feel generous without ever feeling crowded.
Q: What does protected views mean in Los Angeles real estate?
A: It means nothing will ever be built on the hills behind the property. The landscape stays open, which protects the view long term. In Los Angeles, that is rare and valuable.
Q: What defines true indoor-outdoor living in luxury home design?
A: It is when the exterior and interior feel connected instead of separate. On this home, the patios tie directly into the main living areas, and the lower level includes spaces like the gym, wellness areas, and entertainment rooms that all respond to the outside.
Q: Why is simplicity important in high-end backyard design?
A: When the setting already has presence, you do not need to overdesign it. Keeping the water features and lighting restrained allows the architecture and the landscape to remain the focus.
Behind The Blog
Justin Fox
Founder & Creative Director
Founder Justin Fox grew up with a passion for landscaping. After 15+ years building luxury yards and pools as a licensed contractor, he saw the limits of the design/build model. Homes get detailed, architect-led plans, so why shouldn’t yards? In 2019 he convinced brother Nate Fox to join him and launched Foxterra Design to focus on immersive, luxury outdoor spaces.
For this story, Justin walks through how a 90-foot infinity edge pool, major structural engineering, and layered outdoor living transformed a steep Bel Air hillside into a seamless indoor-outdoor luxury estate.
Nate Fox
Designer
Nate Fox helps shape Foxterra’s creative vision, blending architectural detail with a designer’s eye for proportion and flow. His work redefines the backyard as an extension of modern luxury living.
In recent features, Nate’s perspective has been quoted across leading design publications, including Homes & Gardens and Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living, where he shares practical, design-forward guidance on everything from integrating sculptural moments and sightlines to creating “living wall” effects that soften hard architecture and make compact spaces feel more expansive.
