Since the first time he toured the historic grounds in 1981, 10 Wilmington Place has been a project about community for Barry Humphries.

Originally built in 1855 — six years before the Civil War — the site was eventually used as a hospital, and vacated by the State of Ohio in 1978. The building was in disrepair, and had become a common hangout for teenagers, vagrants and passersby. Rather than a celebrated historical site, it was a blight on the area and an eyesore for its neighbors. In 1979, the paper reported that the building would likely be demolished by the end of the year.

In the 70s and 80s, the Dayton economy was struggling. The city’s real estate market was in a downturn, and businesses had been leaving to move to the south, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Economic development projects were necessary, and Barry saw that a top-of-the-line senior living community could serve as a critical piece of redevelopment in the area.

“The City of Dayton was starved for new projects and investment,” Barry said. “Anything that would show economic development was desperately needed, and I think I was instrumental because I had completed successful downtown and neighborhood redevelopment projects in Texas and Columbus”

In the years leading up to the site’s renovation, Barry worked with the labor unions the City of Dayton, the State of Ohio, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and many local organizations to bring his dream to life.

He enlisted the help of the Dayton chamber of commerce, and raised $75,000 for a feasibility analysis/market study to show that senior housing would be an appropriate use for the space, and found that senior living was a much needed commodity — long before others realized decades later.

Barry helped get the building onto the National Register of Historic Places, and was able to utilize historic building tax credits and other incentives to both take the financial burden off of the community and to bring the site’s historic roots to the forefront.

“The building would have been torn down if the community was not successful in getting it on the registry,” he said.

He also worked with the local AFL-CIO union to reach a wage agreement, ensuring the renovations were completed while providing union workers with a project that benefited the public and the town. The project was a true public–private partnership. And without that cooperation, it likely never could have happened.

Development planning, funding, architectural work and government approvals took 3 years from 1981-83. Renovations of the quarter-mile long, 330,000-square-foot facility were substantial, and took place from 1984 to 1986. At the time, the project was one of the biggest renovations of a historic building in Ohio’s history.

Now, 10 Wilmington Place sits on a sprawling 34 acres, park-like setting. But the original site covered hundreds of acres, and in 1981 the property was littered with buildings other than the main historical site, and they would have to be demolished.

Over the course of the project, construction was a significant challenge. The original main building had to be shored up with a brand new structure. Demolition included a variety of smaller buildings and interior walls. Over 1,300 new windows were installed and an entirely new building was built within the walls of the historic structure.

And along the way, Barry and his team made decisions that would continue to shape the 10 Wilmington Place for decades to come.

“We single-loaded the corridors and wings so that all the hallways would have windows and lots of natural light,” he recalled. “We sacrificed having more units for having bigger units so that we’d be competitive long-term. We created a mall area on the lower level, complete with a café, fitness area, general store, beauty salon, theater and community room,  instead of the scatter of libraries and meeting rooms prevalent in most retirement communities. We have created a big, beautiful and engaging public space.”

By the time the project was completed in 1986, renovations cost just shy of $20 million, an astounding figure in the 1980s.

And 38 years later, the impact of the project on the Humphries family and the Dayton community is clear. 10 Wilmington Place is a resounding success and over the years the site now includes a doctor’s office, nursing home and the Hospice of Dayton main campus.

“This is our family’s legacy,” said Barry’s son and 10 Wilmington Place owner and managing partner Joe Williams. “We feel like we’re stewards of the property, its history and its campus.”

As you walk through the halls of 10 Wilmington Place today, you can see the family’s vision come to life in nearly every corner. The once-derelict building has been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming home for thousands of residents over the past 38 years, each happy to be part of this thriving senior living community. The beauty and warmth of 10 Wilmington Place are a testament to the vision and dedication that brought it to life, creating a lasting legacy for all who have the good fortune to call it home.