A large mill built in stages with an iconic square, open-top stair tower visible from Interstate 95.
An amazingly dense complex of mill structures dating from the mid-1800s and in use for over 100 years before succumbing to two large fires in the midst of plans to redevelop
An 1860s gasometer with unheroic uses for a century before being reborn as small business and community space
An image from 1982 with the State House surrounded by train tracks is updated in 2005, before additional new buildings rise up
A loved but neglected set of mills suffer fire and neglect before finally being razed
One of the oldest industrial buildings in the state with a rich history that continues to this day
Once the largest manufacturer of costume jewelry, this building was vacant in the 80s but then revived by Lifespan as their corporate headquarters
A mapping project to trace the origins and evolution of the Cove Basin north of Downtown and south of Smith Hill, from 1823 to present day
A pair of auto-centric businesses constructed as the “new” highway was carved through Providence in the 50s/60s.
The littlest building in downtown (not including parking lot shelters) that was once home to small coffee shops.
This chalet-style 19th century Stone & Carpenter design was reivigorated in 2002 with new foundation and additional connecting buildings to expand Brown’s Hillel Center
This 3-story flatiron 1920s commercial building was vacant for more than 20 years
An early-addition to Capital Center, built next to the new train station after Waterplace Park was created
A sprawling complex and a leading designer of silver goods for 100 years or more. Still in business (not in RI) as part of the Lenox Corporation.
A former high-art-style consumer banking lobby and offices becomes a 56,000 sf art library and housing for 500 students
A turn-of-the-century hotel with intact, 100-year old wood panelled bar enhanced by stained-glass windows and decorative terra cotta
A love it or hate it concrete structure in the Brutalist style — its knobby elbows sticking out as decoration
While only a small 2,600 sf portion of the original complex remains, it’s great that it was saved
This imposing, 6-story cold storage facility ran continuously for 98 years. It fell to the wrecking ball before converting these buildings became the cool thing to do
One of the first artist-led redevelopment projects post-Eagle Square, these 21 units have remained in artist’s hands, some with afforability restrictions
This ornate former single-family home was built in stages and owned by two prominent business people that almost succumbed to the wrecking ball
A seven story low rise condominium complex along the Blackstone River with 255 units — the first phase of a larger residential center
A stone mill formerly used as a machine parts manufacturer and now commercial office space
This 175 year old stone mill suffered a suspicious and devastating fire in 2005 which razed it to the ground
A plethora of pithy postcard images from the turn of the century.
A small but charming red square building in various states of repair and neglect over the years
A 100-year-old ornamental steel and iron manufacturer gets a new life as a center for vocational training and art creation
An unassuming single story commercial property razed for the Walgreens and condos at 333 Atwells Ave.
A modest turn-of-the-century three story mill in a dense mill area of Pawtucket
A small flatiron-style 19th century mill building right on the bank of the Moshassuck River in a formerly dense industrial area
This reinforced concrete frame building was the first modern-style, large windowed design in the City
This unassuming golden brick, pier and spandrel commercial building has been part of the Johnson & Wales campus since the mid-1960s
An early entry into the luxury apartment market built in 2003. By 2005 it was purchased and redeveloped as 330 condominiums.
A small single-story brick commercial-industrial storefront with subtle art-deco details
This 120-year old station has see fires and rehabilitation, but the remarkably handsome structure is still standing and useful and full of tenants
Old aerials of Providence taken from different vantage points and at different times in its development.
A small mercantile-style building razed for a never-built Sierra Suites Hotel in 2008. This building housed a few well-loved storefronts — New Japan, Cuban Revolution, and the Talk of the Town bar.
A 56,000 square foot center for Brown University’s international studies students
A mix of retail, parking, hotel rooms, and upscale condominiums. At 31 stories and 358 feet tall, it is currently the 3rd tallest structure in Rhode Island.
The Fletcher building marks the first foray into downtown Providence for RISD and its graduate students