41 Unit Apartment Complex / Originally Opened in 1924, Vacant in 2018, Restored and reopened in 2025 / Full service signage package
ZEALOT delivered a full-scale signage solution for The Commodore
Number of Signs Installed
Floors Served
Signage Units Served
Building Type
From design approval to full on-site installation.
End-to-end production and implementation.
The Commodore Building was designed by architect Frederick Hughes and constructed in the mid-1920s as a premier residence in Dayton. It originally opened as a luxurious apartment-hotel, offering upscale amenities and a restaurant on the first floor to serve its tenants. With its distinctive Sullivanesque architectural style, the building quickly became a prominent landmark in the historic Grafton Hill neighborhood.
For much of the 20th century, the Commodore provided elegant housing for Dayton residents and stood as a symbol of the neighborhood's prestige. Its architectural and historical importance was formally recognized when it was designated as a contributing property to the Grafton Hill Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building remained a consistent feature of the community, witnessing the city's evolution through the decades.
After a long history of tenancy, the Commodore began to show its age and eventually fell into a period of decline. The once-glamorous property suffered from deferred maintenance, leading to its deterioration. By 2018, the historic building was completely vacant, standing empty and facing an uncertain future.
Developer Windsor Companies initiated a new chapter for the building by launching a comprehensive rehabilitation project. A substantial $7.4 million revitalization was made possible in part by $2 million in state historic preservation tax credits. The ambitious project focused on meticulously restoring the building's unique architectural features while completely modernizing its interior.
The Commodore Building is currently in the final stages of its extensive renovation as construction crews work to restore its historic grandeur. Upon completion, the property will offer 43 contemporary market-rate studio and one-bedroom apartments designed to blend modern living with the building's historic charm. Scheduled to welcome its first new residents in 2026, the revived Commodore is poised to stand as a successful example of historic preservation and once again serve as a proud anchor in the Grafton Hill neighborhood.
A wall-mounted digital directory, featuring a matte-finish flat-screen display installed beside elevators on each floor.
The custom digital layout includes directions of floor maps and amenities, offering residents and visitors intuitive navigation in the building.
Dimensional brushed metal number signs mounted directly to the wall.
Clean installation and shadow depth give the signage a premium, architectural finish.
10" Diameter 2" Thick Room numbers with Warm lighting illumination.
13"x19" Matte Black Fire Egress Signs with Colored UV-Printed Embossed Characters and Information. The sign is encapsulated with a gold-plated art deco style edge detail.
Each room received a set of 4" Tall and 1" thick gold plated room numbers in an art deco font style.
ADA Complaint Room ID signage with the gold plated art deco style edge detail.
20" x 30" laser-etched black acrylic panel with white engraved text, Braille, and a detailed floor diagram. Includes emergency instructions, and ADA illustrations
Laser-etched onto black acrylic, with engraved white text and Braille, with a gold metallic top border
Laser-etched onto black acrylic, with engraved white text and Braille, finished with a gold metallic top border
Dimensional room number “117” in a metallic gold finish, CNC-cut from thick material
Ready to elevate your space into a captivating work of art? Reach out today for a custom quote and discover how a tailored sign package can transform your environment, increase tenant appeal, and elevate your brand.
