The Dayton Biltmore Hotel

Biltmore Hotel
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	210 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Nearest city	Dayton, Ohio
Coordinates	39°46′17″N 84°11′31″W
Architect	Frederick Hughes
Architectural style	Beaux Arts
NRHP reference No.	82003616
Added to NRHP	1982-02-03

The Dayton Biltmore Hotel is a historic hotel located at the junction of First and Main Streets in downtown Dayton, Ohio, United States. From construction in 1929 through much of the rest of the twentieth century, the Biltmore was a prominent hotel, while later renovations have converted it into apartments with space for smaller businesses. It was named a federal historic site in 1982.

History

Opened on November 16, 1929, The Dayton Biltmore Hotel was designed in the Beaux-Arts style popular at the time. It features an applied masonry façade system, exhibiting both brick and terra cotta, resulting in a dark brown and white exterior. The architect, Frederick Hughes (of the architecture firm F.J. Hughes and Company), is also known for the nearby Commodore Apartments and the Centre City Building, which were designed in a similar style. One of the tallest buildings in Dayton, The Biltmore was considered one of the finest hotels in America, playing host to some of the nation's most powerful and celebrated men in the 20th century, such as John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley.

The Dayton Biltmore was originally operated by Bowman-Biltmore Hotels. It was purchased by Hilton Hotels in 1946. The Dayton Biltmore became a Sheraton in March 1965 and was renamed the Sheraton-Dayton Hotel. It left Sheraton in 1974 and became the Biltmore Towers Hotel. In 1981, the Kuhlmann Design Group redeveloped the property into elderly housing, known as Biltmore Towers. On February 3, 1982, The Dayton Biltmore was added to the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying because of its historically significant architecture.

Apartments and commercial space

The eighteen-story Biltmore has undergone a number of renovations over the years, the most recent of which was conducted in 1981, when the Kuhlmann Design Group redeveloped the property into elderly housing. Today, the building houses 230 apartments ranging in size from 500 sqft 1-bedrooms to 713 sqft 2-bedrooms. Known as Biltmore Towers - Senior Living, it caters to residents 55 years and older. The building is situated alongside the Great Miami River, steps away from Riverscape Metropark, Victoria Theater, Cooper Park, and Courthouse Square. The property is currently owned and managed by Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIMCO).

In addition to the apartments, the property also contains seven retail spaces, totaling 37,885 square feet (3,519.6 m²). The current business tenants are China Royal Restaurant, Liberty Tax Services, and St. Mary's, resident services on the 4th floor. Previous tenants include Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Rock Star Sub Sandwiches, and a physician's office.

Gallery

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  The Dayton Biltmore Hotel in the 1930s
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  Biltmore Towers
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  Biltmore Towers at dusk
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  Biltmore Towers
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  Biltmore Towers
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  The entrance to Biltmore Towers
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  The view from the top of Biltmore Towers
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  Riverscape Park near Biltmore Towers
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  Biltmore Towers - Senior Living business center
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  The view at dusk from the Biltmore Towers - Senior Living
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  An apartment's living room in the Biltmore Towers
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  An apartment's bathroom in the Biltmore Towers
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  An apartment's kitchen in the Biltmore Towers
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  An apartment's living room in the Biltmore Towers

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  Original Scan of a picture holder circa 1930's

External links

• Biltmore Towers - Senior Living
• AIMCO