Much of my research chronicles Dayton landmarks that have been lost over the years, but there are also many buildings that were threatened with demolition and seemed soon to be lost before a dedicated preservation effort eventually won out. One of the more interesting … [Read more...] about History of the Victoria Theatre (Turner Opera House, Victory Theatre)
Downtown
Downtown Dayton’s YMCA Buildings
Today you can go for a workout at the downtown Dayton YMCA, a building which has stood since 1929. But this was far from the first place in Dayton that the YMCA called home, as it previously occupied four other locations, only one of which survives today. The first effort … [Read more...] about Downtown Dayton’s YMCA Buildings
What’s Going on With: Dayton Arcade Financing, Construction
In previous articles here, here, and here, we've attempted to summarize the progress of the Dayton Arcade redevelopment, the most crucial pending project for the Dayton region. There have been some ups and downs over the last couple of years, mainly ups in terms of funding … [Read more...] about What’s Going on With: Dayton Arcade Financing, Construction
What’s Going On With? Dayton Arcade Redevelopment
The Dayton Arcade project continues to receive good news, but some Daytonians will remain skeptical until the day they set foot in a fully-completed phase one. To be fair, this isn't an unreasonable position to take given the complex's failed redevelopment history over … [Read more...] about What’s Going On With? Dayton Arcade Redevelopment
Downtown Dayton Restaurants: 2007 vs. 2018
Downtown Dayton is enjoying a major resurgence, and just about everyone is in agreement that there's much more to do today than in decades. But it's an interesting experiment to compare the actual number of amenities at two points in time. Thanks to an article from 2007 … [Read more...] about Downtown Dayton Restaurants: 2007 vs. 2018
Uncovering Old Buildings in Downtown Dayton
Dayton can't magically bring back any of its old buildings that have been demolished, but it can uncover the few that survive hidden under more modern coverings or cladding systems. One such example that was in the news recently is the Price Stores building (below), a … [Read more...] about Uncovering Old Buildings in Downtown Dayton
What Dayton Has Gained: New Construction 2007-2017
Last time we looked at some of what Dayton has lost in the past decade. But this week we'll take a more optimistic tone and highlight some of the many projects of new construction that have sprung up in those same years on vacant lots and surface parking. Although the … [Read more...] about What Dayton Has Gained: New Construction 2007-2017
History of the Dayton Biltmore Hotel
Today it’s a senior living community known as the Biltmore Towers, but for decades the magnificent building at the northeast corner of Main and 1st Streets was a prominent hotel that once welcomed Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy as guests. The hotel was constructed in … [Read more...] about History of the Dayton Biltmore Hotel
Levitt Pavilion Construction Continues
Project Aims to Bring Free Concerts, Community to Downtown There's major construction underway right in the heart of downtown Dayton, but this particular project isn't an office building, condos, apartments, or anything similar. Still, advocates believe it will have a major … [Read more...] about Levitt Pavilion Construction Continues
McCrory’s: The Dayton Arcade Building That’s Already Been Redeveloped
Update: Since this article was written in 2018, the McCrory's Building is fully renovated and occupied and is being used by the Hub while the ground floor houses the UD-run coffee shop Startup Grounds. Read on for the history of this interesting building. With all the … [Read more...] about McCrory’s: The Dayton Arcade Building That’s Already Been Redeveloped