Project Scope

Dawn Manor Restaurant | Rebuilding a Wisconsin Dells Icon

Elevated luxury crafted through innovative design and precision construction.

Originally built in 1855, Dawn Manor stands as the last remaining structure of the lost City of Newport and a lasting symbol of Wisconsin Dells history. After generations of use as an estate, resort, and local landmark, the historic sandstone manor was carefully deconstructed in 2022, with every original Potsdam sandstone block preserved. In 2024, Holtz Builders led the full reconstruction of Dawn Manor on the shores of Mirror Lake, honoring its legacy while reimagining it for modern hospitality. The restaurant reopened in 2025 as a destination dining experience featuring multiple themed rooms, a speakeasy, and refined gathering spaces.

Original & After

Innovation Below the Foundation

The project extended far beyond the building itself, requiring complex site engineering to stabilize the bluffside location. Holtz Builders constructed a 35-foot custom retaining wall to expand usable space and protect the shoreline, while also installing its first underground stormwater detention system beneath the parking lot. These sustainable infrastructure solutions safeguard Mirror Lake, manage runoff responsibly, and support long-term operations, demonstrating innovation beneath the surface as much as above it.

Built by Community, Rooted in Craft

Equally important was the project’s commitment to people and craftsmanship. By prioritizing local subcontractors and vendors, Holtz Builders ensured the investment stayed within the Wisconsin Dells community. Notably, a local Amish craftsman and his family, who originally helped deconstruct the historic stonework, went on to reinstall the same sandstone during reconstruction. The result is an 11,388-square-foot restaurant that seamlessly blends historic preservation, modern engineering, and community-driven construction — a true rebirth of a treasured landmark.