Patio Design & Hardscape in Charlestown

Charlestown is one of the most rewarding neighborhoods in Boston to build in — and an honest challenge every time. Federal-era rowhouses around the Bunker Hill Monument, steep brick streets, and backyards measured in feet, not acres. Brick and bluestone belong here, and turning a tight historic lot into a real outdoor room is a lot of what we do in the Town.

We've been building across Boston since 1989, and Charlestown's mix of history and tight access is exactly the kind of work we're built for.

Where we work in Charlestown

We build throughout the neighborhood — from the rowhouses around City Square and Thompson Square to the hills near the Bunker Hill Monument and Breed's Hill, the streets off Main and Warren, and the homes down by the Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution. Whether you're up near the Training Field or closer to the waterfront, we know the streets, the parking, and the way these lots are built.

Building in a historic neighborhood

Two things come up on almost every Charlestown job: access and history. Getting a crew and materials in off narrow, parked-up streets takes planning — sometimes everything goes in by hand down a side passage. And because much of Charlestown sits in a historic district, visible exterior work can need review before it starts. We've handled both more times than we can count: we plan the logistics, take care of any approvals, and keep the site tight and respectful to your neighbors.

What we build in Charlestown

• Brick and bluestone patios that suit Federal and Victorian homes
• Private courtyards and garden patios behind rowhouses
• Walkways, granite steps, and entries for sloped, tight lots
• Short retaining walls for Charlestown's hills and grade changes
• Built-in seating, privacy plantings, and low-voltage lighting

On a recent job off Bunker Hill Street, we took a cramped, sloped backyard and built a brick patio with a short granite-faced wall and built-in seating — the kind of tucked-away spot you'd never guess was there from the street.

From a customer

“Allan and his crew are fantastic. They did the entire hardscaping around our pool with thoughtful care, great expertise, and attention to detail. We couldn't recommend him more highly.” — Alyssa S.

Common questions

Do I need historic approval for a patio in Charlestown?

For a ground-level patio that isn't visible from the street, usually not. But visible exterior changes in Charlestown's historic district can require review by the Boston Landmarks Commission. We'll tell you up front whether your project needs it and handle the paperwork.

How do you get materials into a Charlestown backyard with no driveway?

Carefully, and often by hand. We're used to the narrow streets, street parking, and tight side passages here. We plan the delivery and debris removal so your block stays clear and the job stays clean.

What patio material is best for a Charlestown home?

Brick and natural bluestone almost always look right next to the neighborhood's Federal and Victorian architecture, and both hold up to New England winters when they're built on a proper, deep base.

American Elm Landscape also builds across the area — see our patios in Somerville and patio design in Boston.