Cliffside Pool Paradise - Kansas City Homes & Style

This Kansas home’s dramatic backyard transformation combines luxury amenities with breathtaking natural views.

Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Alistair Tutton Photography

When you’re working with rocky terrain and a dramatic cliff backdrop in Cedar Creek, Olathe, Kansas, most homeowners might see obstacles. But for Greg Rothers of Rothers Design/Build and his longtime clients, these challenging features became the cornerstone of an extraordinary backyard transformation that seamlessly blends luxury pool living with the natural beauty of a bluff-side setting.

The relationship between Rothers and the homeowners spans years and homes. After successfully remodeling their former Overland Park residence with multiple projects and more recently designing and building their current home, the couple turned to Rothers again when they were ready to tackle the ambitious project of adding a pool to their 12-year-old Cedar Creek home. What emerged from their collaboration is nothing short of spectacular: a concrete pool installation that appears to float at the edge of their property’s dramatic cliff face.

“They wanted a screened-in room to enjoy the outdoors and the views of the surrounding vistas but did not want that new room to block their existing views from the house,” Rothers explained of one of the project’s most striking features: a custom tree house observation tower positioned strategically between two majestic oak trees. This isn’t just any pool house, either. Instead, it’s a steel-structured, two-story marvel that maximizes the western views while providing both entertainment and relaxation spaces.

The tower’s design perfectly captures the homeowners’ vision of outdoor living without sacrificing the panoramic beauty that drew them to this 2+ acre property. The upper deck features a fireplace, television, and motorized sunscreens for versatile entertaining, while the lower level houses a fully equipped bar complete with refrigeration. A carefully engineered bridge connects the tower to the existing deck, threading between the protected oak trees that Rothers’ team safeguarded even during the original home construction.

The pool itself presented unique engineering challenges that Rothers embraced as opportunities for creative problem-solving. Rather than excavating too deeply into the rocky terrain — a process that would have been both expensive and environmentally disruptive — the team built the pool on the existing grade while constructing retaining walls on the cliff side. The result is a pool that appears completely inground when viewed from the house yet takes full advantage of the dramatic elevation change.

“One of the biggest challenges was determining which parts of the cliff were solid enough to support the new structures and which parts were too unstable and needed to be removed,” Rothers recalled. The structural complexity extended beyond excavation to encompass the entire project’s integration with the home’s existing architecture. Working around the established structure while maintaining sight lines and accessibility required careful planning and precise execution.

The attention to detail extends throughout the installation. Stonework on the tower precisely matches the home’s existing materials, creating architectural continuity despite the dramatic departure in form and function. The homeowner’s personal touch appears in an artistic flourish, as well, with a commissioned painted bison scene on the tower’s metal siding that celebrates the Kansas prairie heritage.

Principal designer Matt Berislavich — part of the Rothers Design/Build team and the designer of the original house — worked to ensure the space maintained both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. The pool features saltwater chlorination and heating systems housed in a purpose-built equipment room that doubles as the pool’s back wall. LED lighting transforms the space after dark, while bubblers on the sun ledge add both visual interest and soothing sounds during daylight hours.

The homeowner selected elegant marble pavers for the pool deck, complemented by carefully chosen tile work around the equipment room that serves as both functional necessity and design element. Every material choice reinforces the sense that this installation, while dramatically different from traditional backyard pools, belongs naturally in this setting.

“I always wanted a pool and had to convince my husband,” the homeowner laughed, reflecting on the project’s origins. Their initial plans called for extending the deck much closer to the bluff edge, but they ultimately chose a more conservative approach, positioning the main deck about 15 feet back from the cliff. This decision proved wise, providing both safety and the perfect vantage point for appreciating the infinity-edge effect where the pool appears to drop off into the wooded valley below.

The transformation has created multiple zones for family enjoyment across different times of day and seasons. The screened tower provides bug-free outdoor dining and relaxation, while the heated pool extends the swimming season well beyond typical Kansas summers. The existing fire pit, incorporated into the overall design, offers gathering space for cooler evenings when the family wants to enjoy their private woodland setting.

“We are very fortunate how private this area is,” the homeowner noted. Despite being just minutes from suburban amenities, the installation feels completely secluded, surrounded by mature trees and natural beauty that stretches beyond their property lines.

The project stands as testament to the possibilities that emerge when homeowners with vision partner with skilled professionals who see opportunity where others might see obstacles. Rather than fighting the challenging topography, Rothers and his team created a design that celebrates and enhances the natural drama of the site.

For this family, the investment has already begun paying dividends in the form of memorable gatherings and quiet moments overlooking their private slice of Kansas wilderness. The pool may have been the homeowner’s dream, but the complete transformation has created a backyard retreat that exceeds even her ambitious original vision.