A previous article on Dayton Vistas looked at the tantalizing possibility of “uncovering” two historic buildings that have been obscured under modern claddings for decades.
Over the past few days, Columbus-based The Windsor Companies has done just that with the Price Stores building at 52 S. Jefferson Street as they begin the next phase of development for the Fire Blocks district downtown.
History of the Home Telephone (Old Price Stores) Building
The Romanesque Revival structure was completed in 1915 and was originally known as the Home Telephone Building.
The Home Telephone Company later became part of the Ohio State Telephone Company, which itself became Ohio Bell in 1921.
The modern orange aluminum siding had been a distinctive feature of the structure since 1972 when it was installed at a cost of $100,000.
After removing the panels Windsor found that “the brick was preserved and is in really good condition” which bodes well for its goal to “take that building back to its original era of significance.”
A couple more images of the newly-uncovered brick facade.
The negative part of this story is that the clothing retailer Price Stores, which had occupied the building since 1950 and specialized in men’s clothing, bridal, tuxedos and prom attire, is vacating the space and relocating to Centerville.
Price Stores sold the structure to Windsor in early 2017 and leased the space back, but soon did not need as big of a footprint while the developer had other plans for the building. (While no official plans have been released, a boutique hotel has been mentioned as a possible use.)
Update: Windsor converted the Home Telephone Building into apartment units, which opened in Spring 2024.
Although these historic preservation projects and new downtown developments are undoubtedly a positive trend, many lament the loss of the type of retail businesses that once anchored downtown.
Another example is the Reed-Steffan Building on W 5th St where redevelopment has included the demolition of the building next door and the possible departure of longtime tenant the Dayton Chess Club.
With so much of downtown being converted into luxury housing that sits out of reach of the vast majority of Daytonians and commands higher rents for retail spaces, we risk losing these quirky, independent businesses that make downtown interesting.
But now that the Price Stores Building has been uncovered, we can turn our attention to the second site from our 2018 article, which appears to be possible due to the Dayton Public Schools offices moving across the street:
Sources:
Dayton Through Time
I rented my prom tux from Price back in 2007.
What a building lay hidden under that facade.
I’ve notices a recurring pattern in these downtown redevelopment articles. All the firms are Columbus based. I don’t understand. Do we not have any local developers who are willing and able to execute these projects?) I know there is an urban development boom in Columbus right now, so perhaps there are simply more hungry young developers with more experience who are starting to stretch out.
Perhaps we never saw the potential right in front of our own noses? Sometimes it takes an outsiders eye to see opportunity i suppose.
I agree, Stephen; Dayton needs to utilize local firms for this!
My granddad took me to Price Stores when I was 13 years old for my first suit. Beatlemania was just starting here in the U.S. and I really wanted a Nehru jacket suit! Gpa told me, “I’m buying your suit; you’ll get what I pay for”!