Peek inside the Metropolitan Condominiums
Dayton Daily News
By Jim Nichols
As you go along East Fifth Street and come to Wayne Avenue you are getting close to the geographic end of the Oregon Historic District.
From there, one building will attract your attention. It sits alone in more than six acres of green space bordered by Bainbridge Avenue and Dayton Towers Drive.
The high-rise building has been known as Dayton Towers since it was completed in 1964, but that’s no longer true.
Last fall the outside sign changed. It has a big “M” in the middle and the wording lets you know that you are nearing the Metropolitan Condominiums.
Of course, the sign isn’t the only thing that has changed. What once was an apartment building is in the process of becoming condominiums, and workers are busy redoing the building inside and out.
One of the most impressive updates has been the replacement of every window.
The building was acquired in foreclosure action by Bayview Financial of Coral Gables, Fla.
Irongate Reality Inc., and Stuart Brown and Greg Gillen, have offices on the first floor. They are handling sales for Bayview.
The Metropolitan’s new information booklet says it is a 14-story high-rise tower. That’s not accurate, however.
Like many high-rise buildings — especially those built in the mid-20th century — it has only 13 floors.
Buildings such as the Dayton Towers were built following past superstitions that there would be no 13th floor. In other words, in the elevator stops at 12 and the next listed floor is 14.
The 206 units will be contained in eight different floor plans. One monthly fee will cover everything, including utilities such as gas, electric, water and sewer, insurance and maintenance.
The amenities listed for the remodeled building are a state-of-the-art fitness center, a private movie theater and a recreation/club room.
The lobby interior already has been completed, and work is about to start on new entrance, elevators and hallways. There also will be expanded covered parking.
There is already a swimming pool on the property, but engineers are planning to expand the area.
The Dayton Towers has long been a pet-friendly building, but it’s about to get even friendlier. Plans call for doing away with the tennis court and creating a dog park in its place.
Brown points out that one of the best features of the building has been its location.
There’s an unparalleled view of downtown and the Oregon District. The high rise is just off U.S. 35, giving residents easy access to interstates 75 and 675. Downtown locations, including Fifth Third Field and RiverScape MetroPark, are easy to get to as well.
Condo information is available by calling Gillen or Brown at 428-1240.
Contact Jim Nichols at 225-2333 or by e-mail at jnichols@DaytonDailyNews.com.