The Lakes is a lake-centered community in south Tempe, and its backyards tend to be walled, private and sized for daily use. That shapes a pool project more than any trend does. In a yard like that, the pool shares space with a patio, a grill, a path to the side gate and maybe a little grass, so every foot has to earn its place.
We are based in San Tan Valley and build across the East Valley, Tempe included. We have not published a project in The Lakes itself, so this guide borrows ideas from a yard of similar scale: The Hidden Jewel, a walled Gilbert backyard we remodeled. Treat it as a design example, not a promise about any specific lot.
The Hidden Jewel in Gilbert
The Hidden Jewel in Gilbert sits behind block walls with neighboring rooflines close by, so the design turns inward. A freeform pool curves along the patio, a raised spa spills into it, and a covered bar with its own TV faces the water. A square fire pit and a strip of turf with stepping pavers finish the yard.
The photo shows how much a compact yard can hold when the pieces are planned together. Nothing here is oversized. The pool bends around the seating instead of fighting it, and the bar sits close enough to the water that anyone at the counter is part of the party.
Start With the Lot You Have
Before we sketch a shape, we measure. Setbacks, easements, utility lines, the location of the equipment pad and the route a machine can take into the yard all decide what is possible. Smaller lots reward curves and a shallow bench over long straight lengths, and our guide to pool shapes for Arizona lots under a quarter acre goes through the options. A freeform pool usually gives a tight yard the most usable water, while a geometric pool suits a clean, modern house.
If you would rather not give up lawn, plunge-style designs are worth a look. A plunge pool takes a fraction of the footprint and still cools you off in July.
Approvals Come First
A new pool needs a City of Tempe building permit. If your home is in an HOA, which is common around lake communities, plan on an architectural review as well. We cannot tell you the current rules for The Lakes without your address, so we confirm them lot by lot and prepare the submittals as part of the project. Our post on pool permits and HOA approval explains the general sequence, and the same steps apply in Tempe even though the details differ.
Design for the Evening
Phoenix-area summer afternoons are for staying inside, so most families use the pool after sunset. That is when lighting earns its keep. At The Hidden Jewel, linear lights run under the coping of the stone wall, the spa and the curved benches, so the edges glow and every step is easy to read.
Lights are easiest to set in while the masonry goes up and the wiring is open. Adding them afterward is harder and rarely looks as clean. We build with Pentair equipment, so lighting scenes, spa heat and pump schedules can run from an app. That is the core of our smart automation and cleaning systems work.
Shade, Seating and Something to Cook On
A covered structure changes how often the yard gets used. The bar at The Hidden Jewel has a slatted roof with recessed lights and a ceiling fan, upholstered stools along a long counter, a wall-mounted TV and a built-in grill off to one side. Under that roof, a July evening is comfortable far longer than it would be in open sun.
If a full bar is more than your lot allows, a shaded lounge and a compact outdoor kitchen do much of the same work. Browse our outdoor living options, and add a fire feature if you want the yard to stay useful on cool winter nights.
Remodel or Build New?
Many Tempe homes already have a pool. The Hidden Jewel is a remodel, and a remodel can change the whole feel of a yard without starting from bare dirt: new paving, a reworked entry, refreshed water features and a new covered area. Whether it makes sense depends on the condition of the shell and plumbing, which we check on site. When the existing pool is the wrong size or in the wrong place, a new pool is usually the better investment.
On budget, Phoenix-metro pricing varies widely with scope. Interior and tile refreshes sit at the lower end, and a new pool with a spa, lighting and an outdoor living area typically runs well into six figures. For a closer look at what drives the number, read what a $125k pool actually gets you. Construction itself typically takes eight to fourteen weeks once approvals are done.
Plan the Landscape With the Pool
The yard around the pool decides whether the space feels finished. Turf strips with stepping pavers soften the patio edge, and palms and flowering vines along a back wall add height and color. Landscape design and hardscape are planned alongside the pool so grades, drainage and materials agree. If you are also curious about how we handle Tempe projects more broadly, see our custom pool builder in Tempe guide.
Pool Questions for The Lakes, Answered
- Do I need HOA approval to build a pool in The Lakes in Tempe?
- If your home is in an HOA, expect an architectural review before construction, and a City of Tempe building permit on top of it. We confirm the current requirements for your address and prepare the submittals.
- Can a pool fit on a smaller lot in Tempe?
- Often, yes. Freeform and compact geometric shapes, a shallow bench and a small spa can share space with a patio and a path. A site visit shows what your boundaries, easements and equipment access allow.
- What does a custom pool cost in Tempe?
- It depends on scope. In the Phoenix metro, a refresh sits at the lower end, and a new pool with a spa, lighting and outdoor living typically runs well into six figures. A design consultation gives you a real number for your yard.
- How long does a pool build take?
- Construction typically runs eight to fourteen weeks once approvals are in place. Design, permits and any HOA review come before that, so start the paperwork early.
Keep Reading
- Custom Pool Builder in Tempe, AZ: Lessons From Legacy Living
- 12 Pool Shapes for Arizona Lots Under a Quarter Acre
- Pool Permits and HOA Approval
See the Full Project
The gallery for The Hidden Jewel in Gilbert includes the spa, fire pit and front yard. Browse our other builds in the portfolio or read about our work in Tempe. When you are ready to talk about your yard, call (480) 234-8900 or email inquiry@arisepal.com.