What Jack Merlo does

Jack Merlo is a boutique landscape architecture studio headquartered in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, founded by landscape designer Jack Merlo following his 2005 Gold Medal win at London's Chelsea Flower Show. The firm delivers full-service landscape architecture across three practice areas: high-end residential (private commissions, heritage restorations, acreage estates), multi-residential (townhouse and apartment developments), and commercial (office precincts, hotels, and mixed-use developments). A small team of approximately 8-10 staff — including senior landscape architects, a studio manager, and a brand manager — supports each engagement, with the founder maintaining personal involvement across all project stages from concept through construction administration.

The studio's service offering is structured as five integrated modules — concept design, design development, town planning, contract documentation, and construction phase services — delivered alongside architects, interior designers, and property developers. Core technical capabilities include planting design, hardscape design, 3D modelling and visualisation, irrigation and lighting plans, construction drawings, and town planning submissions. The firm's differentiators centre on seasonal garden planning, botanical integration with built architecture, and curation of high-quality natural materials.

Jack Merlo generates revenue through quote-based professional service fees on bespoke landscape architecture projects, with project values scaling with site size and scope (from compact 488m2 urban residences to 63-acre rural estates and 19,000 sqm commercial campuses). The go-to-market motion is sales-led and relationship-driven, relying on referrals from tier-1 Australian architecture firms (Bates Smart, Hassell, Woods Bagot, Cox Architecture, Powell & Glenn) and direct engagement with property developers, high-net-worth individuals, and commercial property owners in the Melbourne premium property market. The business is privately held and founder-owned, with no external investment or parent company.

Name

Jack Merlo

Legal name

Jack Merlo

Website

https://jackmerlo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jack Merlo is a boutique landscape architecture studio in Melbourne, Australia, delivering concept-to-construction landscape design for luxury residential, multi-residential, and commercial developments through long-standing collaborations with leading Australian architects and property developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture
• Residential landscape design
• Commercial landscape design
• Property development landscaping
• Garden design services

Headquarters

HQ city

South Yarra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Landscape Architecture Services: Full-service landscape architecture engagements including concept design, design development, town planning approvals, contract documentation, and construction phase administration. Projects span residential private commissions, multi-residential property developments, and commercial developments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Jack Merlo is a boutique landscape architecture studio that designs bespoke outdoor environments for residential, multi-residential, and commercial properties. The studio delivers end-to-end landscape architecture services spanning concept design, design development, town planning, contract documentation, and construction administration, working alongside architects, developers, and interior designers in the premium Melbourne property market.

Product overview

Jack Merlo is a landscape architecture studio offering a unified service across three core practice areas: Residential, Multi-Residential, and Commercial landscape design. Their design process spans five service modules—Concept Design, Design Development, Town Planning, Contract Documentation, and Construction Phase—that work together as an integrated workflow from initial consultation through project completion. The studio collaborates with architects, developers, and interior designers to deliver bespoke landscape solutions characterized by strong architectural lines, generous planting, and elegant styling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Landscape Architecture Design of private residential landscapes ranging from inner-urban residences to rural acreage properties, featuring gardens, pools, outdoor kitchens, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. Intended for high-net-worth individuals and luxury property owners in the Melbourne and Victorian market.
• Multi-Residential Landscape Architecture Shared and private environments for property developments including townhouses, apartment buildings, and multi-dwelling residential projects, creating connections between built and natural landscapes with communal amenities and private terraces. Intended for property developers undertaking medium to large-scale residential projects.
• Commercial Landscape Architecture Layered planting and hardscaping for commercial public spaces including office precincts, hotels, retail developments, and mixed-use complexes that attract people and foster community. Intended for commercial property developers, hotel operators, and corporate property owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gold Medal at London's Chelsea Flower Show 2005 establishing international design recognition

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cera Stribley Architecture / Studio TatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on Maleela Rise in Balwyn's Reid Estate. Cera Stribley Architecture and Studio Tate delivered building and interiors while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design featuring English Elms, Japanese Maples, native Lomandras, and seasonal flowering species.
• Wood Marsh ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on Merricks North, a 63-acre coastal property. Wood Marsh designed the residence following landscape contours while Jack Merlo delivered semi-manicured landscape with Eucalyptus trees, Mediterranean planting, and formal entertaining areas.
• Woods Bagot / Urban DCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Like-minded collaboration on Heirloom Armadale multi-residential development. The project echoes Edwardian character through rhythmic facade and ornate details, with Jack Merlo delivering landscape design across 2,415 square metres including tranquil courtyard and cascading landscaping.
• CHT ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration on Society Armadale multi-residential project. CHT designed the architecture with SORA interiors, while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design across 2,182 square metres featuring private pools, travertine facades, and extensive climbing greenery.
• Six Degrees ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Long-term collaboration with The Pitt Family on Hotel Sorrento expansion. Six Degrees Architects led redesign while Jack Merlo delivered landscape architecture featuring Mediterranean planting, 30m pool, BBQ area with banquette seating, and travertine elements.
• Ewert LeafcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration on Central Park Residences in Malvern East within Gascoigne Estate. Ewert Leaf designed architecture while Jack Merlo delivered 2,229 square metres of landscape design emphasising connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Conrad ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration on Page Street Victorian terrace restoration in Middle Park. Conrad Architects led heritage preservation while Jack Merlo delivered landscape with flowering Crab Apples, Crepe Myrtles, internal light court with Japanese Maple, and rear pool area with tundra limestone.
• Ascui & CocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration on Hawthorn House townhouse collection. Ascui & Co designed nine residences while Jack Merlo delivered landscape across 1,740 square metres featuring arbours, established Norfolk Island Pine, breakout courtyard, and rooftop terraces with outdoor kitchens.
• Powell & GlenncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on Haverbrack Avenue Residence in Malvern. Powell & Glenn designed the contemporary architecture while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design featuring sculptural tiered gardens, alfresco zones, and seasonal planting with Japanese maples and crepe myrtle.
• Studio 11:11coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on Heyington Place heritage restoration in Toorak. Studio 11:11 led the 1930s restoration while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design featuring English garden-inspired plantings, outdoor wet-edge pool, pavilion with creeping foliage, and evergreen hedges.
• Hassell (Architect)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborated on SEEK HQ project in Cremorne, a seven-storey commercial precinct spanning 19,000 sqm. Hassell designed the architecture while Jack Merlo delivered landscape architecture integrating built and natural environments with communal terraces and winter gardens.
• Cox ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership on Goldfields House (Capitol Grand) at 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Cox designed the built environment while Jack Merlo delivered the verdant landscape plane featuring 1612m2 of planting with sawn bluestone paving and mixed native/exotic species.
• FK Australia (Gurner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration on Saint Moritz in St Kilda, formerly ice skating rink site. FK Australia designed three volumes conjoined by glazed cube while Jack Merlo delivered 5791m2 coastal landscape with Californian Fan Palms, reflective ponds, and resort-style atmosphere.
• Addarc ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration on Ottawa Road Residence in Toorak. Addarc Architects designed the contemporary precision architecture while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design with Japanese aesthetic featuring mondo grass, ginkgo trees, palisade fencing, and ornamental planters.
• Domoney Architecture / Architecture By UscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration on Merricks Road Residence spanning 17,186 square metres. Architects designed architecture integrated into site topography while Jack Merlo delivered landscape design with elevated overflow pool, Indigenous and exotic plants, and vineyard-inspired planting.
• Bates SmartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-term collaboration on Capitol Grand, Melbourne's highest landmark outside city centre with 450+ apartments. Bates Smart designed the three-towered composition while Jack Merlo delivered 5,533 square metres of podium landscape with resident amenities including pool, lawn areas, and garden terraces.
• K2LD ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration on The Springfield boutique residential development in Toorak. K2LD designed architecture while Jack Merlo delivered secret garden-inspired landscape with climbing greenery, vertical gardens, Madagascar Jasmine, Creeping Fig, and Crimson Glory Vine.
• David Hicks (Interior Designer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaboration with David Hicks on Vista Grove Toorak residence. Landscape design continued interior design language featuring travertine, bronze-stained timbers, Japanese box ball topiary, and extensive flowering plants including Crepe Myrtles and hydrangeas.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global multi-disciplinary design and engineering firm with a large landscape architecture practice in Australia. Comparable in delivering landscape architecture across residential, commercial, and public realm projects, though as one of many service lines and at much larger scale than Jack Merlo.
• Hassell: Large multi-disciplinary design firm with a significant landscape architecture practice. Comparable in being a recurring Jack Merlo architectural partner (e.g., SEEK HQ), and competes in the broader commercial and public realm landscape design market as part of a wider architecture and design portfolio.
• Urbis: Australian design and planning consultancy with landscape architecture capability. Comparable in serving developers and architects on multi-residential and commercial projects, though offers a much broader portfolio of planning, economics, and design services alongside landscape.

Direct peers

• Paul Bangay: Australia's most prominent landscape designer, with a portfolio centered on luxury residential and country estate projects. Closely comparable to Jack Merlo in terms of luxury residential positioning, founder-led brand, and Melbourne/Australian HNW client base, though with less multi-residential and commercial activity.
• Tract Consultants: Australian landscape architecture, urban design, and heritage consultancy with offices across Australia. Comparable in delivering landscape architecture services across residential, multi-residential, and commercial developments, with similar scale and project complexity to Jack Merlo's portfolio.
• ASPECT Studios: Australian landscape architecture studio with practices in Sydney, Melbourne, and internationally. Directly comparable in delivering high-end urban landscape design across residential, commercial, and public realm projects, and competes for similar architect-partner-led commissions in the premium Melbourne market.
• Oculus (now part of Stantec): Melbourne-based landscape architecture practice delivering projects across residential, commercial, and public realm sectors. Direct comparable on geography (Melbourne premium market), project type (multi-residential and commercial developments), and client overlap (similar developer and architect partners).
• Ian Barker Gardens: Australian landscape design and construction firm specializing in premium residential gardens. Directly comparable in target market (HNW residential clients), service model (design + documentation), and Melbourne premium positioning.

Others

• Bates Smart: Long-standing architectural partner of Jack Merlo on Capitol Grand and other major projects. Not a direct competitor in landscape architecture but an ecosystem participant whose continued project pipeline is a major driver of Jack Merlo's deal flow.
• Cox Architecture: Major Australian architectural firm and recurring Jack Merlo collaborator (e.g., Goldfields House at Capitol Grand). Comparable as a recurring project partner whose developer relationships drive Jack Merlo's commercial pipeline rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jack Merlo