diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLBackgroundStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLBackgroundStyleLayer.mm
index 33a105e5d53..38c97e8d468 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLBackgroundStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLBackgroundStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,50 +12,74 @@
 
 @interface MGLBackgroundStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::BackgroundLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::BackgroundLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLBackgroundStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::BackgroundLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::BackgroundLayer(identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::BackgroundLayer>(identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Paint Attributes
 
 - (void)setBackgroundColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)backgroundColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(backgroundColor);
-    self.layer->setBackgroundColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setBackgroundColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)backgroundColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getBackgroundColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultBackgroundColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getBackgroundColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultBackgroundColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setBackgroundPattern:(MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)backgroundPattern {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toPropertyValue(backgroundPattern);
-    self.layer->setBackgroundPattern(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setBackgroundPattern(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)backgroundPattern {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getBackgroundPattern() ?: self.layer->getDefaultBackgroundPattern();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getBackgroundPattern() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultBackgroundPattern();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setBackgroundOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)backgroundOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(backgroundOpacity);
-    self.layer->setBackgroundOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setBackgroundOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)backgroundOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getBackgroundOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultBackgroundOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getBackgroundOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultBackgroundOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLCircleStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLCircleStyleLayer.mm
index 8fe97a05370..13eedf3f960 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLCircleStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLCircleStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,111 +12,135 @@
 
 @interface MGLCircleStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::CircleLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::CircleLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLCircleStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::CircleLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::CircleLayer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::CircleLayer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 - (NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    auto layerID = self.layer->getSourceLayer();
+    auto layerID = self.rawLayer->getSourceLayer();
     return layerID.empty() ? nil : @(layerID.c_str());
 }
 
 - (void)setSourceLayerIdentifier:(NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    self.layer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
+    self.rawLayer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
 }
 
 - (void)setPredicate:(NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    self.layer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
+    self.rawLayer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
 }
 
 - (NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.layer->getFilter()];
+    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.rawLayer->getFilter()];
 }
 
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Paint Attributes
 
 - (void)setCircleRadius:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleRadius {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(circleRadius);
-    self.layer->setCircleRadius(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleRadius(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleRadius {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleRadius() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleRadius();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleRadius() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleRadius();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCircleColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)circleColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(circleColor);
-    self.layer->setCircleColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)circleColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCircleBlur:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleBlur {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(circleBlur);
-    self.layer->setCircleBlur(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleBlur(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleBlur {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleBlur() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleBlur();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleBlur() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleBlur();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCircleOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(circleOpacity);
-    self.layer->setCircleOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)circleOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCircleTranslate:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circleTranslate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(circleTranslate);
-    self.layer->setCircleTranslate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleTranslate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circleTranslate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleTranslate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleTranslate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleTranslate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleTranslate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCircleTranslateAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circleTranslateAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(circleTranslateAnchor);
-    self.layer->setCircleTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCircleTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circleTranslateAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCircleTranslateAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCircleTranslateAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCircleTranslateAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCircleTranslateAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setCirclePitchScale:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circlePitchScale {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::CirclePitchScaleType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(circlePitchScale);
-    self.layer->setCirclePitchScale(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setCirclePitchScale(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)circlePitchScale {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getCirclePitchScale() ?: self.layer->getDefaultCirclePitchScale();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getCirclePitchScale() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultCirclePitchScale();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::CirclePitchScaleType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLFillStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLFillStyleLayer.mm
index e16e3b26522..1f8b7402d80 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLFillStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLFillStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,111 +12,135 @@
 
 @interface MGLFillStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::FillLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::FillLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLFillStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::FillLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::FillLayer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::FillLayer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 - (NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    auto layerID = self.layer->getSourceLayer();
+    auto layerID = self.rawLayer->getSourceLayer();
     return layerID.empty() ? nil : @(layerID.c_str());
 }
 
 - (void)setSourceLayerIdentifier:(NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    self.layer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
+    self.rawLayer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
 }
 
 - (void)setPredicate:(NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    self.layer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
+    self.rawLayer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
 }
 
 - (NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.layer->getFilter()];
+    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.rawLayer->getFilter()];
 }
 
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Paint Attributes
 
 - (void)setFillAntialias:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)fillAntialias {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(fillAntialias);
-    self.layer->setFillAntialias(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillAntialias(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)fillAntialias {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillAntialias() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillAntialias();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillAntialias() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillAntialias();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)fillOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(fillOpacity);
-    self.layer->setFillOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)fillOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)fillColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(fillColor);
-    self.layer->setFillColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)fillColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillOutlineColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)fillOutlineColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(fillOutlineColor);
-    self.layer->setFillOutlineColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillOutlineColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)fillOutlineColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillOutlineColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillOutlineColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillOutlineColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillOutlineColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillTranslate:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)fillTranslate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(fillTranslate);
-    self.layer->setFillTranslate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillTranslate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)fillTranslate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillTranslate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillTranslate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillTranslate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillTranslate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillTranslateAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)fillTranslateAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(fillTranslateAnchor);
-    self.layer->setFillTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)fillTranslateAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillTranslateAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillTranslateAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillTranslateAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillTranslateAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setFillPattern:(MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)fillPattern {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toPropertyValue(fillPattern);
-    self.layer->setFillPattern(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setFillPattern(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)fillPattern {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getFillPattern() ?: self.layer->getDefaultFillPattern();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getFillPattern() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultFillPattern();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLLineStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLLineStyleLayer.mm
index 57724a0600e..aa699ea37d8 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLLineStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLLineStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,80 +12,86 @@
 
 @interface MGLLineStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::LineLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::LineLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLLineStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::LineLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::LineLayer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::LineLayer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 - (NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    auto layerID = self.layer->getSourceLayer();
+    auto layerID = self.rawLayer->getSourceLayer();
     return layerID.empty() ? nil : @(layerID.c_str());
 }
 
 - (void)setSourceLayerIdentifier:(NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    self.layer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
+    self.rawLayer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
 }
 
 - (void)setPredicate:(NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    self.layer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
+    self.rawLayer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
 }
 
 - (NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.layer->getFilter()];
+    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.rawLayer->getFilter()];
 }
 
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Layout Attributes
 
 - (void)setLineCap:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineCap {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::LineCapType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(lineCap);
-    self.layer->setLineCap(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineCap(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineCap {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineCap() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineCap();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineCap() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineCap();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::LineCapType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineJoin:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineJoin {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::LineJoinType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(lineJoin);
-    self.layer->setLineJoin(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineJoin(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineJoin {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineJoin() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineJoin();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineJoin() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineJoin();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::LineJoinType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineMiterLimit:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineMiterLimit {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineMiterLimit);
-    self.layer->setLineMiterLimit(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineMiterLimit(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineMiterLimit {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineMiterLimit() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineMiterLimit();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineMiterLimit() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineMiterLimit();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineRoundLimit:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineRoundLimit {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineRoundLimit);
-    self.layer->setLineRoundLimit(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineRoundLimit(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineRoundLimit {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineRoundLimit() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineRoundLimit();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineRoundLimit() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineRoundLimit();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
@@ -92,102 +99,120 @@ - (void)setLineRoundLimit:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineRoundLimit {
 
 - (void)setLineOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineOpacity);
-    self.layer->setLineOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)lineColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(lineColor);
-    self.layer->setLineColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)lineColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineTranslate:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineTranslate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(lineTranslate);
-    self.layer->setLineTranslate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineTranslate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineTranslate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineTranslate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineTranslate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineTranslate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineTranslate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineTranslateAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineTranslateAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(lineTranslateAnchor);
-    self.layer->setLineTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)lineTranslateAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineTranslateAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineTranslateAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineTranslateAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineTranslateAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineWidth:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineWidth {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineWidth);
-    self.layer->setLineWidth(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineWidth(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineWidth {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineWidth() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineWidth();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineWidth() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineWidth();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineGapWidth:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineGapWidth {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineGapWidth);
-    self.layer->setLineGapWidth(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineGapWidth(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineGapWidth {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineGapWidth() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineGapWidth();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineGapWidth() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineGapWidth();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineOffset:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineOffset {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineOffset);
-    self.layer->setLineOffset(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineOffset(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineOffset {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineOffset() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineOffset();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineOffset() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineOffset();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineBlur:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineBlur {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(lineBlur);
-    self.layer->setLineBlur(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineBlur(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)lineBlur {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineBlur() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineBlur();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineBlur() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineBlur();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLineDasharray:(MGLStyleValue<NSArray<NSNumber *> *> *)lineDasharray {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::vector<float>, NSArray<NSNumber *> *, float>().toPropertyValue(lineDasharray);
-    self.layer->setLineDasharray(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLineDasharray(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSArray<NSNumber *> *> *)lineDasharray {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLineDasharray() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLineDasharray();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLineDasharray() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLineDasharray();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::vector<float>, NSArray<NSNumber *> *, float>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setLinePattern:(MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)linePattern {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toPropertyValue(linePattern);
-    self.layer->setLinePattern(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setLinePattern(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)linePattern {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getLinePattern() ?: self.layer->getDefaultLinePattern();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getLinePattern() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultLinePattern();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLRasterStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLRasterStyleLayer.mm
index f616e895181..ba1df40f95d 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLRasterStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLRasterStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,90 +12,114 @@
 
 @interface MGLRasterStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::RasterLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::RasterLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLRasterStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::RasterLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::RasterLayer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::RasterLayer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Paint Attributes
 
 - (void)setRasterOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterOpacity);
-    self.layer->setRasterOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterHueRotate:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterHueRotate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterHueRotate);
-    self.layer->setRasterHueRotate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterHueRotate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterHueRotate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterHueRotate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterHueRotate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterHueRotate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterHueRotate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterBrightnessMin:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterBrightnessMin {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterBrightnessMin);
-    self.layer->setRasterBrightnessMin(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterBrightnessMin(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterBrightnessMin {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterBrightnessMin() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterBrightnessMin();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterBrightnessMin() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterBrightnessMin();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterBrightnessMax:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterBrightnessMax {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterBrightnessMax);
-    self.layer->setRasterBrightnessMax(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterBrightnessMax(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterBrightnessMax {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterBrightnessMax() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterBrightnessMax();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterBrightnessMax() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterBrightnessMax();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterSaturation:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterSaturation {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterSaturation);
-    self.layer->setRasterSaturation(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterSaturation(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterSaturation {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterSaturation() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterSaturation();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterSaturation() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterSaturation();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterContrast:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterContrast {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterContrast);
-    self.layer->setRasterContrast(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterContrast(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterContrast {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterContrast() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterContrast();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterContrast() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterContrast();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setRasterFadeDuration:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterFadeDuration {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(rasterFadeDuration);
-    self.layer->setRasterFadeDuration(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setRasterFadeDuration(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)rasterFadeDuration {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getRasterFadeDuration() ?: self.layer->getDefaultRasterFadeDuration();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getRasterFadeDuration() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultRasterFadeDuration();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyle.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyle.mm
index a17b7d6b743..d59194725b3 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyle.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyle.mm
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ - (MGLStyleLayer *)layerWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier
         return nil;
     }
 
-    styleLayer.layer = mbglLayer;
+    styleLayer.rawLayer = mbglLayer;
 
     return styleLayer;
 }
@@ -173,26 +173,25 @@ - (void)removeLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)layer
 
 - (void)addLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)layer
 {
-    if (!layer.layer) {
+    if (!layer.rawLayer) {
         [NSException raise:NSInvalidArgumentException format:
          @"The style layer %@ cannot be added to the style. "
          @"Make sure the style layer was created as a member of a concrete subclass of MGLStyleLayer.",
          layer];
     }
-
-    self.mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::Layer>(layer.layer));
+    [layer addToMapView:self.mapView];
 }
 
 - (void)insertLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)layer belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
 {
-    if (!layer.layer) {
+    if (!layer.rawLayer) {
         [NSException raise:NSInvalidArgumentException
                     format:
          @"The style layer %@ cannot be added to the style. "
          @"Make sure the style layer was created as a member of a concrete subclass of MGLStyleLayer.",
          layer];
     }
-    if (!otherLayer.layer) {
+    if (!otherLayer.rawLayer) {
         [NSException raise:NSInvalidArgumentException
                     format:
          @"A style layer cannot be placed before %@ in the style. "
@@ -200,8 +199,7 @@ - (void)insertLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)layer belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLaye
          otherLayer];
     }
 
-    const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
-    self.mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::Layer>(layer.layer), belowLayerId);
+    [layer addToMapView:self.mapView belowLayer:otherLayer];
 }
 
 - (void)addSource:(MGLSource *)source
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer.mm.ejs b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer.mm.ejs
index 3678e9ec52a..48d013d4824 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer.mm.ejs
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer.mm.ejs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -16,50 +17,59 @@
 
 @interface MGL<%- camelize(type) %>StyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGL<%- camelize(type) %>StyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 <% if (type == 'background') { -%>
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer(identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer>(identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
+
 <% } else { -%>
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::<%- camelize(type) %>Layer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
+
 <% } -%>
 
 <% if (type !== 'background' && type !== 'raster') { -%>
 - (NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    auto layerID = self.layer->getSourceLayer();
+    auto layerID = self.rawLayer->getSourceLayer();
     return layerID.empty() ? nil : @(layerID.c_str());
 }
 
 - (void)setSourceLayerIdentifier:(NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    self.layer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
+    self.rawLayer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
 }
 
 - (void)setPredicate:(NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    self.layer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
+    self.rawLayer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
 }
 
 - (NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.layer->getFilter()];
+    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.rawLayer->getFilter()];
 }
 
 <% } -%>
@@ -69,11 +79,11 @@
 <% for (const property of layoutProperties) { -%>
 - (void)set<%- camelize(property.name) %>:(MGLStyleValue<<%- propertyType(property, true) %>> *)<%- objCName(property) %> {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<<%- valueTransformerArguments(property).join(', ') %>>().toPropertyValue(<%- objCName(property) %>);
-    self.layer->set<%- camelize(property.name) %>(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->set<%- camelize(property.name) %>(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<<%- propertyType(property, true) %>> *)<%- objCName(property) %> {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->get<%- camelize(property.name) %>() ?: self.layer->getDefault<%- camelize(property.name) %>();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->get<%- camelize(property.name) %>() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefault<%- camelize(property.name) %>();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<<%- valueTransformerArguments(property).join(', ') %>>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
@@ -85,14 +95,32 @@
 <% for (const property of paintProperties) { -%>
 - (void)set<%- camelize(property.name) %>:(MGLStyleValue<<%- propertyType(property, true) %>> *)<%- objCName(property) %> {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<<%- valueTransformerArguments(property).join(', ') %>>().toPropertyValue(<%- objCName(property) %>);
-    self.layer->set<%- camelize(property.name) %>(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->set<%- camelize(property.name) %>(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<<%- propertyType(property, true) %>> *)<%- objCName(property) %> {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->get<%- camelize(property.name) %>() ?: self.layer->getDefault<%- camelize(property.name) %>();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->get<%- camelize(property.name) %>() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefault<%- camelize(property.name) %>();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<<%- valueTransformerArguments(property).join(', ') %>>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 <% } -%>
 <% } -%>
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer_Private.h b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer_Private.h
index 5fa01856eaf..f61630b8c49 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer_Private.h
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLStyleLayer_Private.h
@@ -5,9 +5,39 @@
 
 #include <mbgl/style/layer.hpp>
 
+@class MGLMapView;
+
 @interface MGLStyleLayer (Private)
 
 @property (nonatomic, readwrite, copy) NSString *identifier;
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::Layer *layer;
+
+/**
+ A raw pointer to the mbgl object, which is always initialized, either to the
+ value returned by `mbgl::Map getLayer`, or for independently created objects,
+ to the pointer value held in `pendingLayer`. In the latter case, this raw
+ pointer value stays even after ownership of the object is transferred via
+ `mbgl::Map addLayer`.
+ */
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::Layer *rawLayer;
+
+/**
+ Adds the mbgl style layer that this object represents to the mbgl map.
+ 
+ Once a mbgl style layer is added, ownership of the object is transferred to the
+ `mbgl::Map` and this object no longer has an active unique_ptr reference to the
+ `mbgl::style::Layer`.
+ */
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView;
+
+
+
+/**
+ Adds the mbgl style layer that this object represents to the mbgl map below the specified `otherLayer`.
+ 
+ Once a mbgl style layer is added, ownership of the object is transferred to the
+ `mbgl::Map` and this object no longer has an active unique_ptr reference to the
+ `mbgl::style::Layer`.
+ */
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer;
 
 @end
diff --git a/platform/darwin/src/MGLSymbolStyleLayer.mm b/platform/darwin/src/MGLSymbolStyleLayer.mm
index a4c56fe2976..539e0f2cc79 100644
--- a/platform/darwin/src/MGLSymbolStyleLayer.mm
+++ b/platform/darwin/src/MGLSymbolStyleLayer.mm
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // Edit platform/darwin/scripts/generate-style-code.js, then run `make style-code-darwin`.
 
 #import "MGLSource.h"
+#import "MGLMapView_Private.h"
 #import "NSPredicate+MGLAdditions.h"
 #import "MGLStyleLayer_Private.h"
 #import "MGLStyleValue_Private.h"
@@ -11,380 +12,386 @@
 
 @interface MGLSymbolStyleLayer ()
 
-@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::SymbolLayer *layer;
+@property (nonatomic) mbgl::style::SymbolLayer *rawLayer;
 
 @end
 
 @implementation MGLSymbolStyleLayer
+{
+    std::unique_ptr<mbgl::style::SymbolLayer> _pendingLayer;
+}
 
 - (instancetype)initWithIdentifier:(NSString *)identifier source:(MGLSource *)source
 {
     if (self = [super initWithIdentifier:identifier source:source]) {
-        _layer = new mbgl::style::SymbolLayer(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        auto layer = std::make_unique<mbgl::style::SymbolLayer>(identifier.UTF8String, source.identifier.UTF8String);
+        _pendingLayer = std::move(layer);
+        self.rawLayer = _pendingLayer.get();
     }
     return self;
 }
 
+
 - (NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    auto layerID = self.layer->getSourceLayer();
+    auto layerID = self.rawLayer->getSourceLayer();
     return layerID.empty() ? nil : @(layerID.c_str());
 }
 
 - (void)setSourceLayerIdentifier:(NSString *)sourceLayerIdentifier
 {
-    self.layer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
+    self.rawLayer->setSourceLayer(sourceLayerIdentifier.UTF8String ?: "");
 }
 
 - (void)setPredicate:(NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    self.layer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
+    self.rawLayer->setFilter(predicate.mgl_filter);
 }
 
 - (NSPredicate *)predicate
 {
-    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.layer->getFilter()];
+    return [NSPredicate mgl_predicateWithFilter:self.rawLayer->getFilter()];
 }
 
 #pragma mark - Accessing the Layout Attributes
 
 - (void)setSymbolPlacement:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)symbolPlacement {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::SymbolPlacementType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(symbolPlacement);
-    self.layer->setSymbolPlacement(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setSymbolPlacement(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)symbolPlacement {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getSymbolPlacement() ?: self.layer->getDefaultSymbolPlacement();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getSymbolPlacement() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultSymbolPlacement();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::SymbolPlacementType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setSymbolSpacing:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)symbolSpacing {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(symbolSpacing);
-    self.layer->setSymbolSpacing(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setSymbolSpacing(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)symbolSpacing {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getSymbolSpacing() ?: self.layer->getDefaultSymbolSpacing();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getSymbolSpacing() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultSymbolSpacing();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setSymbolAvoidEdges:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)symbolAvoidEdges {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(symbolAvoidEdges);
-    self.layer->setSymbolAvoidEdges(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setSymbolAvoidEdges(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)symbolAvoidEdges {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getSymbolAvoidEdges() ?: self.layer->getDefaultSymbolAvoidEdges();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getSymbolAvoidEdges() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultSymbolAvoidEdges();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconAllowOverlap:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconAllowOverlap {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconAllowOverlap);
-    self.layer->setIconAllowOverlap(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconAllowOverlap(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconAllowOverlap {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconAllowOverlap() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconAllowOverlap();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconAllowOverlap() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconAllowOverlap();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconIgnorePlacement:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconIgnorePlacement {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconIgnorePlacement);
-    self.layer->setIconIgnorePlacement(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconIgnorePlacement(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconIgnorePlacement {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconIgnorePlacement() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconIgnorePlacement();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconIgnorePlacement() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconIgnorePlacement();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconOptional:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconOptional {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconOptional);
-    self.layer->setIconOptional(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconOptional(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconOptional {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconOptional() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconOptional();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconOptional() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconOptional();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconRotationAlignment:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconRotationAlignment {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconRotationAlignment);
-    self.layer->setIconRotationAlignment(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconRotationAlignment(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconRotationAlignment {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconRotationAlignment() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconRotationAlignment();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconRotationAlignment() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconRotationAlignment();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconSize:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconSize {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconSize);
-    self.layer->setIconSize(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconSize(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconSize {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconSize() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconSize();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconSize() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconSize();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconTextFit:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTextFit {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::IconTextFitType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconTextFit);
-    self.layer->setIconTextFit(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconTextFit(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTextFit {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconTextFit() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconTextFit();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconTextFit() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconTextFit();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::IconTextFitType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconTextFitPadding:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTextFitPadding {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 4>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconTextFitPadding);
-    self.layer->setIconTextFitPadding(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconTextFitPadding(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTextFitPadding {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconTextFitPadding() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconTextFitPadding();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconTextFitPadding() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconTextFitPadding();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 4>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconImage:(MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)iconImage {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toPropertyValue(iconImage);
-    self.layer->setIconImage(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconImage(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)iconImage {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconImage() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconImage();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconImage() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconImage();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconRotate:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconRotate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconRotate);
-    self.layer->setIconRotate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconRotate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconRotate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconRotate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconRotate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconRotate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconRotate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconPadding:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconPadding {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconPadding);
-    self.layer->setIconPadding(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconPadding(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconPadding {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconPadding() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconPadding();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconPadding() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconPadding();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconKeepUpright:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconKeepUpright {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconKeepUpright);
-    self.layer->setIconKeepUpright(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconKeepUpright(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconKeepUpright {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconKeepUpright() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconKeepUpright();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconKeepUpright() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconKeepUpright();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconOffset:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconOffset {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconOffset);
-    self.layer->setIconOffset(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconOffset(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconOffset {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconOffset() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconOffset();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconOffset() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconOffset();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextPitchAlignment:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textPitchAlignment {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textPitchAlignment);
-    self.layer->setTextPitchAlignment(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextPitchAlignment(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textPitchAlignment {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextPitchAlignment() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextPitchAlignment();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextPitchAlignment() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextPitchAlignment();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextRotationAlignment:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textRotationAlignment {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textRotationAlignment);
-    self.layer->setTextRotationAlignment(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextRotationAlignment(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textRotationAlignment {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextRotationAlignment() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextRotationAlignment();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextRotationAlignment() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextRotationAlignment();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::AlignmentType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextField:(MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)textField {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toPropertyValue(textField);
-    self.layer->setTextField(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextField(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSString *> *)textField {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextField() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextField();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextField() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextField();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::string, NSString *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextFont:(MGLStyleValue<NSArray<NSString *> *> *)textFont {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::vector<std::string>, NSArray<NSString *> *, std::string>().toPropertyValue(textFont);
-    self.layer->setTextFont(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextFont(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSArray<NSString *> *> *)textFont {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextFont() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextFont();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextFont() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextFont();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::vector<std::string>, NSArray<NSString *> *, std::string>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextSize:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textSize {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textSize);
-    self.layer->setTextSize(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextSize(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textSize {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextSize() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextSize();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextSize() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextSize();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextMaxWidth:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textMaxWidth {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textMaxWidth);
-    self.layer->setTextMaxWidth(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextMaxWidth(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textMaxWidth {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextMaxWidth() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextMaxWidth();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextMaxWidth() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextMaxWidth();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextLineHeight:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textLineHeight {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textLineHeight);
-    self.layer->setTextLineHeight(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextLineHeight(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textLineHeight {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextLineHeight() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextLineHeight();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextLineHeight() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextLineHeight();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextLetterSpacing:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textLetterSpacing {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textLetterSpacing);
-    self.layer->setTextLetterSpacing(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextLetterSpacing(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textLetterSpacing {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextLetterSpacing() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextLetterSpacing();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextLetterSpacing() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextLetterSpacing();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextJustify:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textJustify {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextJustifyType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textJustify);
-    self.layer->setTextJustify(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextJustify(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textJustify {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextJustify() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextJustify();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextJustify() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextJustify();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextJustifyType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textAnchor);
-    self.layer->setTextAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextMaxAngle:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textMaxAngle {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textMaxAngle);
-    self.layer->setTextMaxAngle(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextMaxAngle(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textMaxAngle {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextMaxAngle() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextMaxAngle();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextMaxAngle() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextMaxAngle();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextRotate:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textRotate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textRotate);
-    self.layer->setTextRotate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextRotate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textRotate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextRotate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextRotate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextRotate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextRotate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextPadding:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textPadding {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textPadding);
-    self.layer->setTextPadding(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextPadding(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textPadding {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextPadding() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextPadding();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextPadding() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextPadding();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextKeepUpright:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textKeepUpright {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textKeepUpright);
-    self.layer->setTextKeepUpright(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextKeepUpright(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textKeepUpright {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextKeepUpright() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextKeepUpright();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextKeepUpright() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextKeepUpright();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextTransform:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTransform {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextTransformType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textTransform);
-    self.layer->setTextTransform(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextTransform(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTransform {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextTransform() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextTransform();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextTransform() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextTransform();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TextTransformType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextOffset:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textOffset {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textOffset);
-    self.layer->setTextOffset(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextOffset(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textOffset {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextOffset() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextOffset();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextOffset() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextOffset();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextAllowOverlap:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textAllowOverlap {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textAllowOverlap);
-    self.layer->setTextAllowOverlap(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextAllowOverlap(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textAllowOverlap {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextAllowOverlap() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextAllowOverlap();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextAllowOverlap() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextAllowOverlap();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextIgnorePlacement:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textIgnorePlacement {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textIgnorePlacement);
-    self.layer->setTextIgnorePlacement(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextIgnorePlacement(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textIgnorePlacement {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextIgnorePlacement() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextIgnorePlacement();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextIgnorePlacement() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextIgnorePlacement();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextOptional:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textOptional {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textOptional);
-    self.layer->setTextOptional(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextOptional(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textOptional {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextOptional() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextOptional();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextOptional() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextOptional();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<bool, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
@@ -392,142 +399,160 @@ - (void)setTextOptional:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textOptional {
 
 - (void)setIconOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconOpacity);
-    self.layer->setIconOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)iconColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(iconColor);
-    self.layer->setIconColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)iconColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconHaloColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)iconHaloColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(iconHaloColor);
-    self.layer->setIconHaloColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconHaloColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)iconHaloColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconHaloColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconHaloColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconHaloColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconHaloColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconHaloWidth:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconHaloWidth {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconHaloWidth);
-    self.layer->setIconHaloWidth(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconHaloWidth(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconHaloWidth {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconHaloWidth() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconHaloWidth();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconHaloWidth() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconHaloWidth();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconHaloBlur:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconHaloBlur {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(iconHaloBlur);
-    self.layer->setIconHaloBlur(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconHaloBlur(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)iconHaloBlur {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconHaloBlur() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconHaloBlur();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconHaloBlur() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconHaloBlur();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconTranslate:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTranslate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconTranslate);
-    self.layer->setIconTranslate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconTranslate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTranslate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconTranslate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconTranslate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconTranslate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconTranslate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setIconTranslateAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTranslateAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(iconTranslateAnchor);
-    self.layer->setIconTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setIconTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)iconTranslateAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getIconTranslateAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultIconTranslateAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getIconTranslateAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultIconTranslateAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextOpacity:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textOpacity {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textOpacity);
-    self.layer->setTextOpacity(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextOpacity(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textOpacity {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextOpacity() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextOpacity();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextOpacity() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextOpacity();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)textColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(textColor);
-    self.layer->setTextColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)textColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextHaloColor:(MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)textHaloColor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toPropertyValue(textHaloColor);
-    self.layer->setTextHaloColor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextHaloColor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<MGLColor *> *)textHaloColor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextHaloColor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextHaloColor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextHaloColor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextHaloColor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::Color, MGLColor *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextHaloWidth:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textHaloWidth {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textHaloWidth);
-    self.layer->setTextHaloWidth(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextHaloWidth(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textHaloWidth {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextHaloWidth() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextHaloWidth();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextHaloWidth() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextHaloWidth();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextHaloBlur:(MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textHaloBlur {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toPropertyValue(textHaloBlur);
-    self.layer->setTextHaloBlur(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextHaloBlur(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSNumber *> *)textHaloBlur {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextHaloBlur() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextHaloBlur();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextHaloBlur() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextHaloBlur();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<float, NSNumber *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextTranslate:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTranslate {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textTranslate);
-    self.layer->setTextTranslate(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextTranslate(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTranslate {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextTranslate() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextTranslate();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextTranslate() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextTranslate();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<std::array<float, 2>, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
 - (void)setTextTranslateAnchor:(MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTranslateAnchor {
     auto mbglValue = MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toPropertyValue(textTranslateAnchor);
-    self.layer->setTextTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
+    self.rawLayer->setTextTranslateAnchor(mbglValue);
 }
 
 - (MGLStyleValue<NSValue *> *)textTranslateAnchor {
-    auto propertyValue = self.layer->getTextTranslateAnchor() ?: self.layer->getDefaultTextTranslateAnchor();
+    auto propertyValue = self.rawLayer->getTextTranslateAnchor() ?: self.rawLayer->getDefaultTextTranslateAnchor();
     return MGLStyleValueTransformer<mbgl::style::TranslateAnchorType, NSValue *>().toStyleValue(propertyValue);
 }
 
+
+#pragma mark - Add style layer to map
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView
+{
+    [self addToMapView:mapView belowLayer:nil];
+}
+
+- (void)addToMapView:(MGLMapView *)mapView belowLayer:(MGLStyleLayer *)otherLayer
+{
+    if (otherLayer) {
+        const mbgl::optional<std::string> belowLayerId{otherLayer.identifier.UTF8String};
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer), belowLayerId);
+    } else {
+        mapView.mbglMap->addLayer(std::move(_pendingLayer));
+    }
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/platform/ios/app/MBXViewController.m b/platform/ios/app/MBXViewController.m
index a7ea4293008..11247ea3f7e 100644
--- a/platform/ios/app/MBXViewController.m
+++ b/platform/ios/app/MBXViewController.m
@@ -769,6 +769,7 @@ - (void)styleGeoJSONSource
     MGLFillStyleLayer *fillLayer = [[MGLFillStyleLayer alloc] initWithIdentifier:@"test" source:source];
     fillLayer.fillColor = [MGLStyleValue<UIColor *> valueWithRawValue:[UIColor purpleColor]];
     [self.mapView.style addLayer:fillLayer];
+    
 }
 
 - (void)styleSymbolLayer