Introducing Dream Retreats
Crafting Outdoor Spaces for Over 25 Years
For Todd and Michelle, creating beautiful, functional outdoor spaces is more than just a business, it’s a family legacy. Owners of Dream Retreats, a landscape design and construction company, Todd and Michelle have called Gilbert home for 39 years. Married for just as long, they’ve built both a thriving business and a close-knit family that includes three children and five grandchildren.
Todd’s entrepreneurial journey began in high school at Marcos de Niza, where he was active in DECA and developed a passion for business. While attending Arizona State University, he started mowing lawns in Tempe to pay his way through school. By the time he graduated, his small service business had grown to 140 residential and six commercial accounts. At 32, Todd transitioned from maintenance to full-scale landscape design and construction, obtaining his contractor’s license in 1999. Today, Dream Retreats has been transforming outdoor spaces for over 25 years.
“We’re hyper-focused on providing our clients with unmatched experience,” Todd explains. “We do this by constantly improving our processes and systems, and by empowering our employees with an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Dream Retreats specializes in creating outdoor environments that seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings, feeling like an extension of the home. Todd encourages homeowners to view their outdoor areas as valuable living spaces: “A landscape construction project is a significant investment, often second only to purchasing a home. Consider how you want to use and live in that space, and we’ll help you bring that vision to life.”
The company’s philosophy is rooted in collaboration, attention to detail, and ensuring every project flows seamlessly. Todd emphasizes the importance of working with a licensed, bonded, and insured company: “You might pay a little more, but the experience and trust we bring to every job are worth it in the long run.”
The Dream Retreats experience begins when you contact our office through our website or by phone. You will be greeted by our office manager, Robyn. Todd says, "Robyn is simply awesome." Not only can she answer any of your initial questions about how to get started on your Dream Retreat, but she does so with unmatched enthusiasm and knowledge, giving you the confidence that you're in the right hands. Next, you'll meet with one of our two excellent designers, Sonny or Brendan. Sonny has been designing Dream Retreats for over 18 years and is still going strong. A licensed landscape architect with an extensive background in designing some of the most complex and detailed projects, Sonny is undoubtedly the most creative and qualified designer working in the Valley today. Brendan designs with passion and precision, driven by his love of service and excellence. There is no one more dedicated to helping our clients navigate the design process. He truly provides our clients with the highest level of service and attention available.
Family also plays a central role at Dream Retreats. Todd's son-in-law Alex leads the team in the field as Construction Manager, and son Jacob works hand in hand alongside him as one of our two Project Managers. The team also includes a longtime project manager and the company's true "Swiss army knife," Lucio. Lucio and Todd got started in business over 30 years ago together and have forged an unbreakable bond that serves the company and its customers like no other duo can do.
When they’re not designing dream landscapes, Todd and Michelle enjoy spending time with their family by the pool, at Saguaro Lake, or at their cabin near Payson. “We’re lucky to have a wonderful family and love to spend a lot of happy hours together,” Todd says.
For anyone considering upgrading their outdoor space, Todd offers sim