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Tiny Merchants Bank Building next to Textron Building, seen from across Providence River. (ricurrency.com)
I have received an anonymous tip that the Mercants Bank Building, our mini-Flatiron brownstone “tower” opposite the Turk’s Head Building across the intersection of Westminster and Weybosset, is being renovated for apartments or condos. Excellent! Considering the units in rehabbed buildings (and possible new ones) being developed by Buff Chace, maybe this city is indeed headed for a re-renaissance!
Upper portion of door surround at 32 Custom House St.
Monday evening’s meeting of the Downtown Design Review Committee relieved concerns that one must feel upon news that a graceful old building is being renovated. Who knows what evil could be afoot. But the applicant, HM Ventures 7, of Brooklyn, seems to have only good things in mind, more restoration than renovation outside. The building at 32 Custom House St., built in 1875 and known as the Real Estate Title Insurance Building, will host 10 apartments and a ground floor shop or restaurant. Bravo!
Below this post are a few photos I took of the building last week.
Proposed garage in middle between proposed student dorm and existing South Street Station. (gcpvd.org)
That’s the good news from that meeting. Before I spring the bad news on readers, note that it is now the Downtown Design Review Committee, not the Downcity…
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