The Lindsey Building – a structure dating back to the most prosperous years of Dayton, Ohio. The building was constructed in 1917, built with bricks on a stone foundation, similar to most commercial buildings constructed during the early twentieth century. The building’s facade is made up of three parts, and was modeled in the Neoclassical style. The twelve-story building was constructed for Theodore Lindsey, a Dayton attorney. Lindsey occupied an office on the top floor of the building.

Lindsey was born in the city of Dayton, and had graduated from Steele High School in 1897. Later in life, he decided to study law, enrolling in law school at the University of Cincinnati. President William Howard Taft was working at the university at this time, and ended up being one of Lindsey’s professors. Lindsey would see much success following his years at the university, and would establish himself in the city of Dayton, becoming a well-known specialist in commercial and probate law.

Many cities at this time were seeing steady growth, and Dayton was no exception. Throughout the late 1910s, numerous commercial buildings were going up around the city, and people were flocking to Dayton for jobs. From 1930-1960, Dayton would see its peak population, but as of today the population has decreased dramatically.

During most of its life, the Lindsey housed numerous financial institutions, such as the Miami Savings and Loan Company and the Mutual Home and Savings Association. The building was home to the First Savings and Banking Company. The Lindsey building had also become the new home of the Arnold Realty Co., as they had relocated to the building when it was constructed.

The building would go on to provide offices for numerous other businesses over the years, until eventually falling vacant as it sat for decades until recent plans for restoration and renovation in connection to the Dayton Arcade redevelopment. In 1985, the Lindsey building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, noting its significance both architecturally, and because it held an important place in Dayton history. The building was deemed one of the biggest leading examples of expansion of Dayton’s downtown during the early twentieth century.

The renovation of the Lindsey Building will feature ten floors of residential units in connection to the Art Lofts at the Dayton Arcade. The roof has recently been replaced, and elevator shafts have been revamped to meet building and safety codes. Work on framing, drywall, HVAC, electrical and plumbing have all been done as well. The two-story coffered ceiling, originally over the former bank lobby, was hidden for years by a floor built to split the space into two separate floors. The floor has since been removed to once again show the ceiling, with commercial space filling the area below it on the first floor.  

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