Nathan Peak Named to GGB’s 25 People to Watch in 2025
HBG Design’s President Honored for Shaping the Future of Gaming and Entertainment Design
At HBG Design, we’re thrilled to celebrate our President, Nathan Peak, AIA, LEED GA, for being featured in Global Gaming Business (GGB) Magazine’s prestigious "25 People to Watch in 2025" list. This annual recognition highlights individuals who are shaping the future of the gaming industry through innovation, leadership, and impactful contributions.
Nathan’s journey at HBG Design exemplifies dedication and growth. Starting with two internships in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he has spent the past 23 years shaping our firm and the broader gaming and entertainment design landscape. Since becoming President in 2022, Nathan has guided HBG Design through a transformative period of strategic growth and regional expansion.
Driving Growth and Innovation
Under Nathan’s leadership, HBG Design has doubled the size of its San Diego office and solidified its presence in Dallas with the appointment of a new location leader, Ray Mabry. These expansions are part of a cohesive strategy to enhance client service and project execution across the Midwest and West Coast—regions that account for the majority of the firm’s client base.
Nathan is also spearheading efforts to expand HBG’s capabilities, ensuring the firm delivers exceptional quality on projects of all scales. This includes creative approaches to design and construction, such as cost-effective framing methods that maximize client ROI while maintaining a premium guest experience.
Beyond project delivery, HBG Design is investing in master planning and land-use planning services, positioning the firm to provide value at the earliest stages of project development. From environmental impact studies to visioning long-term investment opportunities, Nathan and his team are focused on helping clients realize their goals from the ground up.
A Vision for 2025 and Beyond
Looking to the year ahead, Nathan is particularly excited about HBG Design’s involvement in landmark projects like the Gun Lake Casino expansion in Michigan. The centerpiece of this project, the Wawyé Oasis, exemplifies innovation, transforming from a resort pool by day to a performance complex by night within a six-story glass-enclosed structure.
Nathan also recognizes the importance of evolving gaming floor designs to enhance customer experiences. His vision incorporates streamlined layouts for improved flow and wayfinding, while integrating sportsbooks with other entertainment amenities—a trend that blurs traditional boundaries and creates immersive environments.
Recognizing Leadership in Gaming Design
Nathan’s inclusion in GGB’s "25 People to Watch in 2025" underscores his significant contributions to gaming and entertainment design and his forward-thinking leadership at HBG Design.
As Roger Gros, GGB Publisher, notes, “As usual, our 25 People to Watch reflect the best the industry has to offer. Every one of our choices [this year] has made an impact on the industry already, and we feel the sky’s the limit to what they’ll achieve next.”
For more updates on Nathan Peak and HBG Design’s innovative projects, follow us on social media or explore our website.
InspireDesign Reveals the Inspired Mind of Practice Leader Nathan Peak
What energizes HBG Design’s new Practice Leader, Nathan Peak, as he takes on each new day? From good conversation that leads to fresh perspectives, to the freedom to let his body and mind run--InspireDesign magazine has the inside track on the personal and professional inspirations and collaborative mindset of HBG’s leader, Nathan Peak, AIA, LEED GA.
Nathan Peak has been with hospitality architecture and design firm HBG Design for more than 20 years. In January, he was named practice leader, overseeing the work at they company's offices in Memphis, San Diego and Dallas. Needless to say, he knows something about inspiration.
"Inspiration, for me, is a joining of ideas that originates from the dialogue of many, rather than the thoughts from my own mind," he said. Listening is a powerful mechanism that breeds and cultivates creativity through conversation and exploration. My best ideas will never be enough to create the design solutions that our clients envision and deserve. But our collective ideas and connections through investigative listening empower out design staff to create the breadth of inspiration needed to develop innovative and viable design solutions.
"Inspiration can also be the reawakening of past experiences through new ones," he continued. "I often ask our clients to imagine their most memorable experience while dining or enjoying time with friends or family. What was the mood like? Was the lighting warm and dramatic like a stage set? Did the ceiling volume feel too high or did the space feel cozy and comfortable? All of these memories evoke a response to how we look at design and create memorable experiences.