Tag Archives: College Hill

History as cottage industry

Posted on July 29, 2020 by

Monday’s meeting via Zoom of the Providence Historic District Commission surprised observers by delaying an expected vote to approve the relocation of a historic Italianate cottage on Williams Street, on College Hill. This was the second straight delay. That does … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Speak for history on Monday

Posted on July 26, 2020 by

The Providence Historic District Commission will meet tomorrow, Monday, July 27 at 4:30 p.m., via Zoom, to decide the fate of Providence. That does not overstate the case. If the commission approves moving the historic cottage at 159 Williams Street, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Subdivide history? Bad idea

Posted on July 12, 2020 by

The first blocks of William and John streets off Benefit Street, where College Hill meets Fox Point, are steeped not only in history but historical character. Most of the houses on these and nearby blocks were built in the late … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

At Brown, here we go again

Posted on February 21, 2020 by

Brown University is at it again. It plans to tear down old structures in order to build new ones. GoLocalProv.com’s story, “Brown Proposing to Build 375-Bed Residential Hall – Multiple Structures to be Demolished,” mentions four demolitions and reveals that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Hotel must gild College Hill

Posted on October 8, 2019 by

Lippitt House, at Hope and Angell, hosted the College Hill Neighborhood Association’s community meeting to hear about and comment on a hotel proposed by Edward F. Bishop and Smart (we’ll see) Hotels at Angell and Brook. Ed Bishop is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

A history of Thayer Street

Posted on March 17, 2019 by

I’ve been invited to read from my book Lost Providence during an open-mic session this Friday, March 22, at the Brooklyn Coffee, Tea & Guest House, 207-209 Douglas Ave., at 6 p.m., $5, in Providence. But I think instead that … Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Providence, Providence | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fit Brown’s hall into the Hill

Posted on February 22, 2018 by

Brown University pleased many by rethinking its plan to demolish four old buildings on its campus to make way for an ugly concert hall. Now it plans to build an ugly concert hall without demolishing any old buildings. The surprising … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shaping a Canal St. ethos

Posted on January 29, 2018 by

Even as a new apartment tower arises on Canal Street, another of similar size and design, just south of it along the eastern edge of the Providence River, faces a harder slog through the city’s development process. It may be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Two attacks on the East Side

Posted on January 27, 2018 by

These two really ugly new buildings on Providence’s storied East Side reveal a thoughtlessness and lack of consideration on the part of two highly respected private schools. People walking or driving by Moses Brown or the Lincoln School must wonder … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Assault on history at Brown

Posted on December 19, 2017 by

This afternoon, Providence’s City Plan Commission heard Brown University officials propose to move one and raze four historic buildings to make way for a new performing arts center with a concert hall rumored large enough to swallow the nearby Granoff … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments