Chic color blocks give hint of Dayton's 'anti-Block E'

By Sara Glassman, Star Tribune

Last update: October 14, 2009 - 6:03 PM

While still working on an MBA at Stanford, Eric Dayton (son of Mark Dayton) bought the dilapidated building at 200 N. 1st St., the Marvel Rack Building. Until he was done with school and ready to renovate, he put bright kelly green panels in the windows.

"I wanted to brighten up the appearance and let people know something was going on with the building," he said.

The visual trick definitely worked: Reports started rolling in about the spot being used as a graphic backdrop for everything from wedding portraits to fashion shoots to commercial shots. Over the summer, Dayton gave the building another makeover -- this time turning it a deep periwinkle purple.

Local shutterbugs should get their photos of this architectural muse before construction starts, probably in spring. There will be one more color change before the building is turned into mixed-use commercial property with a restaurant, retail, an event space and offices on upper levels.

"I'm not happy with the core of what I see downtown," Dayton said. "I'm trying to create an anti-Block E, with food and retail at a higher level, more of a focus on design and architecture and highlighting a lot of local talent."

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