The Dayton's Project

Giving five stars because of all the great memories I have years ago when Daytons Minneapolis was my go-to shopping spot. I appreciate all the effort gone into the Dayton Project however it will never be the same. So glad the Mary Tyler Moore statue is back. The market on first floor has been thoughtfully created and worth taking a look. Lots of great small businesses!

There's much to explore in this space. Multiple floors and when full, it'll be a great visit. Christmas time will be an amazing experience. Developers have done a great job with renovations, they've kept the original since. Although they have a lot of space available they've used the space for Art expression. MPLS has huge roots in the Arts and it's fresh when an outside developer has done their research and or open to the local scene. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these areas.

I was walking through Nicollet mall and I stopped to admire the beautiful Santa bear display. You can feel the Christmas spirit.

I wasn't living here when the department store was around so I have no frame of reference to say how great or not so great it is. On its own, I will say that it is a beautiful and nostalgic look back - for people to discover for the first time AND for others to rekindle old memories of their former selves. It's apparent that Daytons was a very important institution to the Twin Cities and I have been enjoying the sometimes whimsicle reimagining of those times back then.

It's a cool building but very empty. I like their pop up shopping events, but beyond that it's just a space to walk though. They should make a spa/ bath place

I think many other reviewers don't realize that the building was recently renovated with the main intention of it being a luxury office building. There is no intention of re-creating the Dayton's department store of decades past that many remember. The majority of the building isn't accessible to the public because they are private office suites. As someone who does office within the building, I can attest that it is a beautiful space with wonderful amenities. There is some retail on the street level and skyway level open to the public. The seasonal market has a lovely rotating selection of local makers. Its worth checking out and a nice place to find a variety of products from local small businesses.

Speaking solely to the Christmas stuff, it was not Christmas-y at all. Yes, the shops sold Christmas themed things but there were barely any decorations. Do not bring your kids because there's nothing to do and nothing to eat. Everything else downtown is closed on the weekend and parking is stupid expensive/none. There's also nothing to look at. It is purely for shopping local which it is great for. Very cute spot if you want to shop local vendors but I would say the way that the shops work could be better. It's unclear how to check out. It's just open to shop between the vendors with one checkout spot. Do not recommend as a "Christmas market." Would recommend as a shopping spot.

I'm trying not to write a negative review. I like the project and the restoration of this historic building. But right now it is mostly a big, empty, slightly depressing space. There are a few merchants selling some local items, but as the lack of any kind of crowd suggested, not much excitement. I hope things improve and I look forward to revisiting my review. One last thing. All the walls and columns are painted in a dull, sterile white, and this only adds to the emptiness of the place.