Category Archives: Architecture History

The Parthenon sheds its scaffolding

Posted on October 17, 2025 by David Brussat

For the first time in generations, the Parthenon is without its iron scaffolding. Tourists can view the famous Athenian landmark as it had been viewed by visitors to Greece for more than 200 years; it has been cloaked in construction … Continue reading →

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A White House ballroom

Posted on August 4, 2025 by David Brussat

What we really need in this country, in the nation’s capital for god’s sake, is a grand new state ballroom to host White House guests – dignitaries foreign and domestic – presidents and such like – at yuge parties with … Continue reading →

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Leon Krier (1946-2025), R.I.P.

Posted on June 20, 2025 by David Brussat

Léon Krier died Tuesday in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, aged 79. Krier was born in the capital city of Luxembourg after World War II, and observed its degradation thereafter at the hands of modernist architects. His design education was very … Continue reading →

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Newport Cottages: 1835-90

Posted on December 22, 2024 by David Brussat

This excellent volume is the second describing the splendid dwellings of the summer colony of the City by the Sea, by architectural historian Michael C. Kathrens. It is subtitled “1835-1885: The Summer Villas Before the Vanderbilt Era.” His first volume … Continue reading →

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Notre-Dame de Weybosset St.

Posted on December 20, 2024 by David Brussat

It’s a bit late to be hailing the rebuilt Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. How beautiful it looks, inside and out. For a deeper analysis of both efforts I will await word from those more knowledgeable than I. Still, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Development, Providence | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Read-Ott House, RIP

Posted on August 28, 2024 by David Brussat

After years of effort by those who wished to save it, the Read-Ott House succumbed to demolition on Monday by its owner, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church next door to it on Walcott Street, in Pawtucket’s … Continue reading →

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Andreas restaurant: RIP?

Posted on May 15, 2024 by David Brussat

Andreas Restaurant has reigned for decades as the favorite dining establishment on the East Side of Providence, R.I. Maybe not the best restaurant east of the Providence River, but surely the best on Thayer Street, often considered the Main Street … Continue reading →

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True: Andreas Restaurant, RIP?

Posted on May 15, 2024 by David Brussat

Andreas Restaurant has reigned for decades as the favorite dining establishment on the East Side of Providence, R.I. Maybe not the best restaurant east of the Providence River, but surely the best on Thayer Street, often considered the Main Street … Continue reading →

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Christopher Gray’s legacy

Posted on April 25, 2024 by David Brussat

Christopher Gray was my favorite Timesman, which is news speak for reporter at the New York Times. (I’ll admit, that’s a low bar, these days at least.) I didn’t read him often because I don’t get the Times, but when … Continue reading →

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Save Pawtucket’s Ott Mansion

Posted on February 10, 2024 by David Brussat

The headline of this post is the same as when I wrote it as my weekly column for the Providence Journal in 2008. The Read-Ott Mansion was at a most dire risk of demolition then, and remains so now. Its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Preservation, Rhode Island | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments