At a press conference this afternoon Governor McKee announced plans for the historic preservation and rehabilitation of the Industrial Trust Building (1928), aka the Superman Building. The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) had reason to be particularly excited by today’s news as they have been advocating for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the Superman Building […]
New to the Providence Preservation Society’s Most Endangered Properties List this year is the Providence Gas Purifier House. Most recently, the first floor of this imposing brick pile on Allens Avenue housed Sin Desserts (since relocated to Westminster Street). Built in 1899, the Purifier House originally served the process of coal burning gas production for
The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) has issued its 2022 Most Endangered Properties List with some first-time entries like the Tockwotton Fox Point Cape Verdean Community and the Urban League of Rhode Island building, as well as some perennials like the Superman Building, the Broad Street Synagogue, and the Cathedral of St. John. In the spotlight
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The City Plan Commission will be holding a public information meeting in August for a major land development project in Wayland Square on the site of the former funeral home at 230 Waterman Street. The proposal includes demolition of the existing 1892 building (unprotected because it is not part of a local historic district) and
Every year the Providence Preservation Society (PPS) solicits nominations for its Most Endangered Properties List from the general public. They may have missed a gem in your neighborhood. Each year, the Providence Preservation Society seeks nominations from the public for our Most Endangered Properties list. Our annual list draws attention to buildings and places great
The Jewelry District Association and the Providence Preservation Society are both coming out against a proposed apartment building downtown on Chestnut Street. Architecture critic Will Morgan writes: The student apartment block proposed for 155 Chestnut Street in the Jewelry District was a bad idea at first, and little–not even lopping the height from twelve stories
Last Christmas fire tore through the Prince Hall Masonic Temple on Eddy Street doing considerable damage. From the ProJo: “I’m just crushed,” said Jim Vincent, president of the Providence NAACP, whose office was housed there until very recently. “It’s the worst news I’ve heard in a long time. A lot of people today are red-eyed.
Look at this gem. The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) has issued its Most Endangered Properties List for 2021. It includes some returning favorites and a few new entries. New this year is the c. 1880 house at 234 Lenox Avenue and the PPS isn’t altogether sure what it’s doing there: Historical maps show that the
(10.15) The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) invites all concerned citizens to join the State of Rhode Island for one of two virtual, public meetings that will feature proposals for the renovation and reuse of the Cranston Street Armory. These proposals were received as part of the state’s Request for Proposals process this past March. PPS
This is the third year on the Providence Preservation Society’s Most Endangered Properties List for the Water Supply Building on Academy Avenue. This structure seems ideally suited for a mixed-use repurposing. The building is a reasonable size and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and schools. Academy Avenue is a busy thoroughfare, but if the street
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Last month we highlighted the 1931 State Board of Public Roads building on Arline Street, but this year’s Most Endangered Properties List from the Providence Preservation Society also includes some less conventional entries: the Axelrod music sign, and the property pictured here, the iconic Crook Point Bascule Bridge which RIDOT has slated for demolition. Word
The most difficult entries in the Providence Preservation Society’s Most Endangered Properties list usually suffer from one of two problems: bad location, unwieldy size (and sometimes both — the Broad Street Synagogue comes to mind). But neither problem afflicts the former State Board of Public Roads Building (1931) on Arline Street. This neighborhood is coming
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The Providence Preservation Society has released its latest Most Endangered Properties List. New this year is the Axelrod Music neon sign from the ’50s. Locally, musician and violin dealer Abraham Axelrod established a music store in 1910; by 1913 he opened a shop at the Arcade. Then by mid-century, he moved down the street to
What a treat. In anticipation of their 2020 theme “Spotlight RI: Performing Arts in Rhode Island,” the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) launched a conservation of this spectacular 19th-century theatrical drop-scene, a Providence panorama. Fabricated from ten linen panels, and measuring 15 x 24 feet overall, this curtain was originally installed as a backdrop for
(10.26) This building never fails to impress: it’s a real standout on a street loaded with enormous, insanely ornamented, Victorian piles. Over the years, the proprietors of Barnaby Castle have been funding its restoration with income from the first floor event space and by holding these annual Halloween parties. General admission tickets for Saturday are
Do you keep driving by a seemingly unloved, ramshackle building thinking, someone should do something with that? Then the Providence Preservation Society wants to hear from you. They may not have that particular gem on their radar, so go here to make a nomination on the PPS 2020 Most Endangered Properties form. Nominations are due
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