Law firm plans move to The Delco amid ongoing lawsuit against Stratacache-tied LLC

FILE

FILE

A prominent area law firm announced this week plans to move its Dayton offices from the city’s tallest office building, Stratacache Tower, to the historic and newly-renovated Delco building.

The Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP law firm is set to become the first commercial tenant of The Delco since its redevelopment as part of the city of Dayton’s Water Street District project.

Taft announced in a press release this week plans to move into the seven-floor building at 115 Madison St., overlooking Day Air Ballpark, by early 2026.

“The Delco represents a unique opportunity to match our office footprint in Dayton with the dynamic, long-term needs of our growing firm,” Jennifer Hann Harrison, partner-in-charge of Taft’s Dayton office, said in the release. “We are excited to move into what’s becoming one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods and to truly reimagine Taft’s space with cutting-edge facilities that best serve our clients and our community.”

The firm will occupy The Delco’s top floor, with more than 27,500 square feet of office space, as part of a 15-year lease with options for expansion.

Part of the mixed-use Water Street District, The Delco is owned by Crawford Hoying.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Taft as our first office tenant at The Delco,” said Zach Graham, of Crawford Hoying. “Their energy and trajectory as a firm is a perfect fit as this neighborhood continues to take off and expand its commercial base.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Taft has five locations across Ohio, and several around the country. Its Dayton office, comprised of more than 70 employees, is currently located in the Stratacache Tower, at 40 N. Main St.

The law firm has leased space within the building, formerly known as the Kettering Tower, since 2010.

The building was renamed in 2019 after it was purchased by Arkham Tower LLC, a real estate investment arm of Stratacache Inc.

Taft is currently involved in ongoing litigation against Arkham Tower LLC and founder/CEO Chris Riegel, after Taft filed suit against the company last year, citing problems with the firm’s planned renovation of office space.

Taft claims its renovation project was delayed due to Arkham’s inadequate handling of asbestos mitigation, which Riegel has denied, asserting in a statement in early 2024 that Arkham’s asbestos management plan met all necessary requirements.

In its January 2024 filing in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Taft further claims Arkham failed to adequately maintain and manage the building, asserting “the degraded physical condition” resulted in “constant” HVAC and plumbing issues, among other problems.

Taft is seeking judgment from the court in its favor, along with compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $25,000, according to the complaint.

A jury trial is currently scheduled for June 16 at 9 a.m.

Representatives for both Taft and Arkham declined to comment this week on the proceedings.

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