Chez-Nous Restaurant
A proposed restaurant concept centered on French and Caribbean flavors, designed to add a distinctive dining destination to the property.
Springfield redevelopment history
Plaza Towers and Plaza Towers Center: a defining development chapter.
During Springfield Property LLC's former ownership period, Marco Denis led an ambitious effort to preserve, modernize, and expand the 10-story Plaza Towers and its adjacent shopping center.
Scale and commitment
More than a building renovation.
The work combined building improvements, new construction, tenant-focused upgrades, signage, and a hospitality vision for one of Springfield's best-known intersections.
Marco Denis states that the cumulative amount invested across the acquisition, financing, construction, renovation, operations, and related development of Plaza Towers and Plaza Towers Center exceeded $70 million during his involvement with the properties.
Investment-source note: The more-than-$70-million cumulative figure is Marco Denis's first-party historical statement. It is not presented as a single independently audited total or as a figure reported in full by Springfield Business Journal. Independent reporting below documents separate dated portions of the project.
A redevelopment story covered over time
Springfield Business Journal placed Plaza Towers and Marco Denis on the front page of its October 19–25, 2020 issue in “New owner plans upgrades in $20M Plaza Towers investment.” The report described an approximately $20 million investment at that stage, including acquisition and planned renovations to the tower and adjacent shopping center.
In February 2023, the Journal's “From the Ground Up” coverage reported a 14,500-square-foot addition costing more than $7 million. It described plans for Smooth Coffee, a third-floor event space with an outdoor patio, and a future first-floor restaurant.
In February 2024, the Journal returned to the project with the front-page story “Plaza Towers event center aims for spring launch.” The coverage continued under the title “Plaza: Restaurant concept to feature French and Caribbean flavors” and documented the planned Sunshine Event Center, C’est La Vie concept, restaurant, and coffee shop.
Biz 417 also followed the work. Its 2021 profile described a $20 million renovation vision, and a 2022 follow-up reported updates across the tower, a planned ground-floor restaurant, and a third-floor event and convention center with rooftop seating.
The hospitality vision
Four planned concepts within the development.
These names and descriptions preserve the development vision announced during the former ownership period. They do not represent current ownership, current operations, or a statement that every planned concept opened.
Sunshine Event Center
A planned event and convention venue intended for celebrations, business gatherings, and community events.
C’est La Vie Rooftop Bar & Lounge
A planned rooftop and outdoor-patio hospitality concept designed to create a social setting above the surrounding corridor.
Smooth Coffee
A planned coffee-shop concept intended to serve tenants, visitors, and the wider Springfield community.
Independent reporting
Review the published record.
2021 12 People: Marco Denis
The Journal's independent profile documented the Plaza Towers acquisition and Marco's stated preservation and renovation vision.
Read the SBJ profile →Plaza Towers renovation and addition
The construction report documented the 14,500-square-foot addition and proposed restaurant, event, patio, and coffee uses.
Open the SBJ report →Plaza Towers event center aims for spring launch
The front-page report described the event center and the planned restaurant, C’est La Vie, and coffee-shop concepts.
Open the SBJ report →Marco Denis's $20 Million Plan for Plaza Towers
The profile described the early renovation vision, accessibility priorities, and Marco's goal of preserving the iconic building.
Read the feature →Marco Denis Talks Plaza Towers One Year Later
The follow-up documented reported interior and exterior progress and plans for rooftop seating, dining, and events.
Read the follow-up →Marco Denis professional source library
The professional site preserves publication titles, dates, authors, issue numbers, page references, and historical disclaimers.
Review the source library →A chapter in a larger story
Vision, difficulty, faith, and beginning again.
The Plaza Towers redevelopment period is part of the business experience that shaped Marco Denis's perspective on responsibility, resilience, and rebuilding.
Read Marco's story →