Constructed in the early twentieth century, it played an important part in the development of the western portion of downtown Dayton, and it is one of the most prominent surviving examples of the work of one of the most significant architects in the city's history.

[2] Among its more distinctive elements is its ornate main entrance, which forms a crucial component of the building's Neo-Renaissance styling.

[2] The building sits on the Ludlow and Fourth Streets,[4] connected to the Dayton Arcade, which was among the leading commercial complexes of the early 20th-century city.

It was built at the behest of Adam Schantz, Jr.,[3] who at the time was one of Dayton's leading citizens; more than any other man, he was responsible for the appearance of the city's skyline, he impelled extensive construction along Ludlow, he headed one of the city's largest companies, and he was responsible for the development of the Schantz Park neighborhood in the suburb of Oakwood.

While its architecture was significant enough to qualify it for this designation,[1] a crucial part of its significance derives from its close connection to Adam Schantz, Jr.[3] It is one of nearly 150 National Register-listed locations in Montgomery County, along with sites such as the former Dayton Daily News Building, located on another corner of Fourth and Ludlow, and the Dayton Arcade next door.