by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Dalton Agency announced Friday the firm is moving Downtown to Park Place Pavilion at 140 W. Monroe St. on the south end of Hemming Plaza.
The three-story building opened in 1954 and has 28,000 square feet of office and retail space. Its central feature is a central atrium open to all three levels. Dalton Agency spokesman Michael Munz said the trees that have been growing there for years will be preserved.
“We’re excited about the building and excited to be able to bring 70 more people Downtown to eat and shop,” he added.
The Dalton Agency, an advertising, public relations and interactive services firm, will be the primary occupant with the existing Subway restaurant to remain on the street-level floor.
The interior and exterior of the building will be completely renovated with completion slated for late this year. The new design will be “urban contemporary,” according to Munz.
The agency has been occupying temporary space in the AV-Med Building on the Southbank since July 2006, when it relocated from its previous office in San Marco. The company had been searching for permanent office space Downtown before deciding to make Park Place Pavilion its new home.
It has been common knowledge for weeks at 140 W. Monroe that the Dalton Agency was about to be “in” and the current tenants were about to be “out,” but none of the business owners are very upset about the change.
Pam Benson and her husband opened Paradise Cafe 15 months ago because owning and running a restaurant was something they always wanted to try.
She said it’s been fun, but she’s had enough of the food-service business.
“I’ve met a lot of great people and made some friends, but it’s time to move on. I’ve just wanted to know what’s going on and when we had to be out so I can apply for jobs,” she said.
Usha Patel opened the Subway shop in the building nine years ago. Patel said she’s not concerned about the renovation because she’s been through it before.
“We won’t even have to close during the week. We can do the construction on the weekends.”
Stephen Dare, who owns Boomtown Restaurant & Theatre, said he has been ready to relocate for quite a while, citing problems with the building’s plumbing. Being in the basement made the problems even worse.
“One time last year, we lost two entire weeks of business when the pipes broke and we were flooded,” said Dare, who added he plans to keep Boomtown Downtown and is “looking at a couple of options.”