When the pool complex at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch reopened after renovation, it didn’t just look refreshed. It felt redefined. What had once been, “tired,” emerged as the crown jewel of the property.
This expansive, precisely executed porcelain paver installation from European Pavers Southwest Inc. would go on to win the Porcelain Paver Pavement – Commercial category at the 2025 Hardscape North America Awards, offering many lessons for aspiring and early-career hardscapers along the way.
Reimagining 2.5 Acres of Pool Deck
The heart of the Hyatt Scottsdale resort spans 2.5 acres and includes six pools set among raised decks, sunken lounge areas, grottos, gathering spaces, and 14 newly constructed sets of steps.
Ownership wanted a complete transformation. They wanted something cooler underfoot, visually modern, and proportionate to the grand scale of the site.
The design team selected a light-toned 24-inch by 24-inch porcelain paver laid in a stack bond pattern. The large format reinforced the openness of the space, while the clean grid avoided visual clutter. In the Arizona climate, the lighter color also reflects sunlight, helping maintain comfort around the water.
But the defining characteristic of the project was not the material alone. It was the mandate for precision.
“They wanted all the lines,” said Rex Mann, General Manager of European Pavers Southwest Inc. “It was a stack pattern, stack bond. They wanted all the lines to line up from one side of the project all the way to the other side.”
From end to end, the deck stretches roughly 125 yards. Across that distance—and over five elevation changes—every bond line had to align. Through stairs. Across transitions. Around drains.
“It took us about a week to lay it out,” Mann said.
A Compressed Timeline
Although the result feels like new construction, the project was technically a remodel. The resort intended to close in the fall and reopen in time for Arizona’s spring training season.
“We were supposed to start in October, which would have given us plenty of time,” Mann said.
Instead, the start date slipped to December. But the completion date did not move.
“So now we have to add two or three crews at a time,” he said. “It’s like trying to have two people start wallpapering a room and go opposite directions and then come together. You have to put a seam or it’s not going to line up perfectly.”
Complicating matters further were code requirements. Certain areas, particularly around food and bar spaces, required mortar-set and grouted installation per county specifications, while the majority of the project was sand-set. The team had to preserve visual continuity while shifting installation methodologies.
Drainage added another layer of complexity.
“It’s hard to tilt and manipulate 24-by-24-inch pieces of porcelain to get to the drain,” Mann said. “We had to change some other things up that we normally do.”
Yet when the project was complete, the transformation was undeniable.
“I actually read a review after the pool reopened where somebody said they give the renovated amenity area, pool decks, and pools a 10 out of 10. They recommended that people come just for the pool,” Mann said. “That was a compliment to us.”
The achievement was also lauded at the national level at the 2025 HNA Awards where it took home the top prize in the Porcelain Paver Pavement – Commercial category.
“It feels good,” Mann said. “Porcelain is an up-and-comer, surging in the market. I would say it is the fastest growing segment of hardscaping material…A lot of our workforce is older, a lot of guys have been with us 45 years. It was nice to see us take on this new material. We’re not an old dog that’s getting left behind. We’re keeping up with the times.”
Lessons for Aspiring Hardscapers
For aspiring hardscapers and crews looking to move into commercial porcelain paver work, Mann encourages them to embrace new materials instead of resisting them.
He also advises investing in the right tools and training. Large-format porcelain pavers demand precision, especially when cutting around drains, pipes, and curved elements.
“Spend the money for good tools,” Mann said. “Use the right blade. Use the right tool.”
He emphasizes building relationships with knowledgeable vendors who can guide crews through best practices.
“Align yourself with the right vendors that will help show you how to use the right tools and help you be successful,” he said. “Sometimes the right products aren’t always cheap. You may have to reach deeper to buy the right thing that’s going to make the job not only easier, but aesthetically more pleasing.”
Finally, think beyond the immediate obstacle. Large commercial jobs will test layout strategy, scheduling, and coordination. When problems arise, creativity matters.
“Anytime you’re looking at obstacles, think outside the box,” Mann said.
Across 2.5 acres of porcelain paver pavement, with six pools and multiple elevations, the Hyatt Scottsdale project demonstrates what commercial hardscaping at its highest level looks like.
The HNA award recognition validates the effort. But the real achievement lies in the discipline behind the scenes: a week of layout before the first paver was set, crews coordinating across vast distances and elevations, and a company willing to evolve with the market.
