Dayton Daily News Building, Dayton

The Dayton Daily News Building is a historic structure designed by architect Albert Pretzinger for James M. Cox, the founder of the Dayton Daily News. Cox's motivation for establishing the newspaper came after a local banker refused him a loan, citing the historical unprofitability of newspapers. In response, Cox commissioned Pretzinger to "build him a damn bank," resulting in a design modeled after the Knickerbocker Trust building in New York City. This unique inspiration gave the building its distinctive architectural features, which include a three-bay-wide facade adorned with Corinthian and Doric columns, a grand frontispiece around the entrance, and a partial pediment with a cornice supported by cornucopiae.

Constructed between 1908 and 1910, the Dayton Daily News Building was built using a combination of wood and granite. Over the decades, it underwent several expansions in the 1920s, 1950s, and 1970s to accommodate the growing needs of the newspaper. Despite these additions, the core of the 1908 structure remained intact. In 1989, the original building received a significant remodel, further preserving its historical integrity. The building's architectural significance and historical value were recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1978.

The Dayton Daily News relocated its editorial and business offices in April 2007 to the former NCR Building 31, situated at 1611 S. Main St. near the University of Dayton campus. This move marked a new chapter for the newspaper while preserving its historical roots. However, the newer portions of the Dayton Daily News building were demolished in 2013, leaving only the original 1908 structure on the corner. As part of this demolition process, the nearby Schwind Building at 27 Ludlow, built in 1913, was imploded on August 17, 2013.