Griffin and Gargoyle

Located in Lake Geneva, WI

How do you design a building that isn’t just a restaurant, but an entry point into another world?

That was the vision for Griffin & Gargoyle, a proposed 32,000- to 38,000-square-foot immersive dining and entertainment destination inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Planned for Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the legendary tabletop game, the concept needed to balance theatrical fantasy with the operational realities of a high-capacity restaurant and themed venue.

For founder and CEO Daniel Colwell, the goal was to capture the imagination of fans, investors, and the local community with a vision bold enough to spark support before a single stone was laid.

To capture the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons, Shive-Hattery created concept designs and immersive visualizations that transformed sketches and storylines into environments investors and fans could explore.

The centerpiece of the project is The Griffin & Gargoyle Tavern, a 350-seat dining hall where servers and bartenders perform in character, adapting their roles to each guest’s level of participation. Surrounding environments—each with distinct aesthetics and storylines—invite visitors to explore, interact, and immerse themselves in the world.

Shive-Hattery’s designers blended fantasy storytelling with practical architecture. The team created renderings that vividly convey the project’s atmosphere while ensuring the design supports efficient operations, code compliance, and long-term flexibility.

These visuals became the centerpiece of investor presentations and community engagement, allowing stakeholders to see the possibilities instead of just imagining them.

Though still in development, Griffin & Gargoyle has already generated significant excitement among fans, investors, and the Lake Geneva community. The renderings have proven to be a powerful engagement tool, attracting early-stage investment and building momentum for the project.