Tag Archives: Providence Journal

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

Two fumbles in Providence

Posted on October 28, 2019 by David Brussat

Among the eight or so new buildings erected in Providence with virtually zero opposition in the past two years are a pair that ought, by now, to have been reviewed here. And I will get to that. But first: The … Continue reading →

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

The fate of the Fane tower

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David Brussat

Last Wednesday, the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission approved the design of the proposed Fane tower in the city’s Jewelry District. The press duly noted the project’s latest step forward, but in fact hope is quite dim for the queer-looking 46-story … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Journal’s ‘R.I. Memories’

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David Brussat

Black and white photography bears the stamp of history, a ratification of the long-ago. One might wish that photos from, say, the 1890s were in color. That would convey a different authenticity, a satisfaction that today’s colorization processes generally fail … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Lost Providence | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

A Lost Providence Christmas

Posted on December 3, 2018 by David Brussat

Just as the Providence Journal has published its magnificent collection of old Providence and Rhode Island photographs, it is time to go out and get (if you don’t have it) my book Lost Providence. The two books would work well … Continue reading →

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

So blame it on Washington!

Posted on July 1, 2018 by David Brussat

No other world capital so directly expresses itself in architecture as Washington, D.C. Its classicism was selected by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to reflect the ideals of democracy, reaching back to those of Athens and Rome. Between 1800 and … Continue reading →

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

The Journal’s angry editorial

Posted on May 17, 2018 by David Brussat

The Providence Journal today published an editorial, “Saying no to a bold future,” that castigates opponents of the proposed Fane tower as “insiders,” a term usually applied to those who manipulate the system to benefit the few at the expense … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Not over till fat lady sings

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David Brussat

High-fives aplenty greeted last night’s vote by the City Plan Commission to urge the city council to reject the Fane tower. The commission wisely ignored its staff’s argument that a 600-foot tower in a 100-foot zone is consistent with the … Continue reading →

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

I-195 eastern front heats up

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David Brussat

The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission hosted the latest skirmish in the war among three developers to win the commission’s approval to build on the east bank of the Providence River. I arrived at the public hearing but had to leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments