The Delco

Located in downtown Dayton, the original Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) building was constructed as the second plant for the Delco company in 1915. It served as a key economic engine for the Dayton community for many years until it was abandoned in the 1980s. Sandy Mendelson, a local business owner and operator, purchased the building and converted it into Mendelson Liquidation Outlet.

In 2012, Crawford Hoying, Woodard Development and the City of Dayton partnered together to create a vision for the neighborhood around the building which would encompass all of the area around the Dayton Dragons stadium - including the historic seven-story Delco building. The land uses would include market-rate multi-family, class A office and ground floor level commercial space including restaurants. 

In 2019, Crawford Hoying purchased the building from Sandy Mendelson (the largest within the neighborhood). Crawford Hoying renamed the project “The Delco” and announced plans for a renovation of the historic building with a mix of uses to better serve the needs of the Dayton community.

Although the building is a beautiful example of early twentieth century industrial architecture, Crawford Hoying quickly realized it wasn’t without challenges as some parts of the building were more than 100 years old. The sheer size of the building was the biggest challenge, as it was not designed for efficient modern day use. 

Remediation and abatement began at the site in 2019, and construction is underway. Work includes selective demolition and disposal of existing select structures and infrastructure; abatement, facade remediation and new vertical circulation and infrastructure. Once completed, the building will offer market-rate multi-family units, ground floor commercial space, office on upper floors, parking spaces on the lower levels, and several amenity spaces available for use by residents. 

In order to get the project to work, a public private partnership between Crawford Hoying, the Port Authority, City of Dayton and the Dayton Public School District was formed. The Port Authority will own the public parking garage and finance with revenue bonds, which were secured by a TIF incentive approved by the City and local school district. 

At approximately 515,000 square feet, this will be the largest project completed to date in the Water Street District. The completion of this renovation and the addition of both residential and commercial users into the neighborhood will be the largest step yet in the revitalization of this area in downtown Dayton - and a culmination of a vision which started more than a decade ago.