Business Details
23 Years
experience
Your Premier Garden Destination in Chicago
Since our founding in 2003, City Escape has been dedicated to transforming urban spaces into vibrant natural environments. Our founder Connie Rivera combines her engineering background with decades of horticultural expertise to lead a team that delivers exceptional landscape design, maintenance, and plant selection services. We pride ourselves on understanding each client's unique vision while maintaining a deep commitment to Chicago's community through educational outreach and cultural preservation initiatives. Our global network of plant suppliers ensures fresh, high-quality botanical selections that meet exacting standards for residential, commercial, and municipal properties. With nearly three acres of retail space under the L on West Lake Street, we offer personalized service that blends boutique attention with large-scale capabilities.Our team of certified horticulturalists, arborists, and landscape architects works collaboratively to create sustainable outdoor environments that reflect each client's personal style. We maintain strong partnerships with specialized consultants in irrigation, lighting, and green roof design to deliver comprehensive solutions. Recognized as one of Chicagoland's most progressive green industry businesses, we continue to innovate while honoring traditional gardening practices. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond landscaping to include curated collections of exclusive home decor and outdoor furnishings. Through community engagement and professional service, we strive to make every space we touch a true urban oasis.
Services
Landscaping Design
Garden Maintenance
Plant Sales
Outdoor Decor
Interior Plants
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of landscaping expertise
- We provide exclusive international plant selections
- Our team includes certified horticulturalists and designers
- We support local community initiatives
- We guarantee satisfaction with every project
What people say
Exquisite selection
Professional staff
Beautiful designs
Top-notch quality
Amazing service
Services
Landscaping Design
Our expert designers create customized outdoor spaces that blend aesthetics with functionality. We work closely with clients to develop unique landscapes that incorporate native plants, sustainable practices, and personal style preferences. Our team ensures every project enhances property value while maintaining ecological balance.
Garden Maintenance
Professional maintenance services keep landscapes thriving throughout all seasons. Our comprehensive program includes seasonal cleanups, pruning, fertilization, and pest management using environmentally responsible practices. Regular visits ensure optimal plant health and continuous visual appeal for residential and commercial properties.
Plant Sales
We offer an extensive selection of high-quality plants sourced from premier growers worldwide. Our inventory features rare ornamental grasses, perennials, and specialty trees that meet strict freshness standards. Knowledgeable staff provides expert guidance for selecting plants that thrive in urban environments and specific microclimates.
Outdoor Decor
Curated collection of unique outdoor furnishings and decorative elements enhances exterior spaces. We feature exclusive European-designed statuary, fountains, and planters in premium materials. Our selection includes durable weather-resistant furniture and artistic accents that create inviting outdoor living areas.
Interior Plants
We provide premium indoor plants that improve air quality while adding natural beauty to living spaces. Our inventory includes hypoallergenic and pet-friendly varieties carefully selected for indoor environments. Expert staff offers guidance on proper care and placement to ensure long-term plant health and visual impact.
People
Connie Rivera
Founder
With an engineering degree and corporate CEO experience, Connie Rivera founded City Escape in 2003. She combines technical expertise with childhood experience on a Michigan flower farm to lead the company's innovative approach to urban landscaping and plant selection.
Questions
What landscaping services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive design, build, and maintenance services for residential, commercial, and municipal properties including custom garden design, hardscaping, and seasonal maintenance programs.
Do you serve areas outside Chicago?
While based in Chicago, we serve the entire Chicagoland area including surrounding suburbs and communities within the metropolitan region.
What makes your plant selection unique?
We source premium plants globally and maintain strict freshness standards. Our inventory includes rare ornamental grasses, specialty perennials, and exclusive European-designed botanical collections not found in typical garden centers.
What are your business hours?
Our garden center and design studio are open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, seven days a week throughout the growing season.
How do you support local communities?
We actively participate in neighborhood education programs, cultural preservation initiatives, and provide monetary support to local organizations in East Garfield Park and throughout Chicago.
Can you help with both outdoor and indoor spaces?
Yes, we offer complete outdoor landscaping solutions combined with interior plant selection and decor to create cohesive living environments that extend from gardens to indoor spaces.
Reviews (5)
Amy Stewart
Dec 03, 2021
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We love City Escape! We go their year round. The last time we found the most beautiful and realistic holiday garlands. They really have great decor (in addition to their great selection of indoor and outdoor plants)
Ruby Scott
Apr 21, 2021
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Beautiful pots, plants and accessories. On Fridays after work I use to drive by City Escape to experience tranquility after a week of working. Since moving to Arkansas when I come to Chicago I have to visit City Escape.❤️
Melissa Matos Domenech
Nov 08, 2020
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Love the atmosphere! Always a helpful and knowledgeable staff member available to help. A must visit nursery and more!
Rodney Rabel
Jun 07, 2020
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They have some Amazing 🌱 for inside & outside for your home and lots of beautiful items for your home to decorate with. You must stop and take a look.
Sonia Sandoval
Apr 19, 2020
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They really know their stuff, not like other places that just ring you up and wish you well. They make suggestions and remember you. We are always there, year after year
