Tag Archives: Cornish Associates

The Downcity Plan, II

Posted on March 24, 2023 by David Brussat

*** Editor’s note: This is the bottom half of the 22nd and final chapter, “The Downcity Plan,” from Lost Providence. Chapter 22 concludes Part II of the book, whose final two chapters record the two major projects that sparked the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Lost Providence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best trad buildings of 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020 by David Brussat

Two weeks before President Trump signed his executive order calling for federal buildings to be designed in traditional styles, his wife, the first lady, Melania, announced the completion of a tennis pavilion on the White House grounds designed with the … Continue reading →

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

New and old on Westminster

Posted on September 11, 2020 by David Brussat

Several years in the making, renovations on downtown’s Westminster Street between Union and Mathewson are almost done. It will take more time, and possibly the extirpation of coronavirus “and stuff” (as my son puts it), for the buildings to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Still attacking Kennedy Plaza

Posted on August 31, 2020 by David Brussat

A sensible plan to renovate Kennedy Plaza attractively without evicting public transit from Providence’s central square – by far its most logical location – was submitted in 2013, designed by Union Studio. In 2015, this plan was frog-marched out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Nightingale sings, so far

Posted on November 26, 2019 by David Brussat

A large square extraordinarily promising brick building arises on the block downtown where hundreds of Providence Journal employees used to park. I just learned today that it will be called the Nightingale Building. Buff Chace, whose work has revived downtown … Continue reading →

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

Taking wing on Westminster

Posted on June 14, 2018 by David Brussat

Arnold “Buff” Chace, Providence’s pioneering redeveloper of downtown, has another major project in mind for Westminster Street. He has announced the renovation of the Lapham, Wit, and Trayne buildings, erected in 1904, 1925, and 1893, respectively. To the Trayne will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Buffing the downtown fabric

Posted on March 4, 2015 by David Brussat

The expected purchase by Arnold C. “Buff” Chace of the Providence Journal’s headquarter’s building – not the old Journal building of 1906 but the “new” one of 1934, designed by noted Motor City architect Albert Kahn – is extraordinarily good … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Arnold and Alice

Posted on April 24, 2014 by David Brussat

The Arnold Building had a serious fire in, I think, 2007. Its owner, Pat Cortellessa, who once ran for mayor against Buddy Cianci, lacked sufficient insurance to undertake repairs. This past year the Arnold was taken by eminent domain and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment