Rendering from Churchill and Banks

It’s hard to know how close this project ever came to reality, but anything remotely like it in this economic climate seems impossibly far off…

What was it?: The Churchill and Banks website calls the building’s use “undecided,” but initial thoughs were for a 137,000 sf complex adjacent to Lifespan’s headquarters (well, adjacent to their garage, anyway). Said the website:

What has happened?: Absolutely nothing.

What was the potential?: The Jewelry District has for some time been considered to be on a long (slow) upward trajectory, and the C&B website seemingly correctly detailed the location’s potential. The rendering showed ground floor retail, which the Jewelry District sorely needs, and given the number of surrounding workers, that location seemed as good as any at an attempt. With a new Brown Medical School then building proposed nearby (since canceled) and potentially stunning west-looking sunset views, it seemed a great idea.

What does the developer say?: Churchill and Banks said that like their moribund Green Street Townhouses, this project too is, “on hold… No time frame yet, but not indefinitely.”

What could help?: Given the current economy, probably absolutely nothing. Brown is now the biggest player in the Jewelry District, and they’re in a major retrenchment mode, so things are likely to stay quiet at that vacant site for quite some time…

© Greater City: Providence, 2009 | Permalink | No comment |

Four years ago today, the Providence Journal reported on what was to become, Rhode Island’s tallest building, OneTen Westminster Street.

Rendering of OneTen Westminster Street as proposed in 2005.

The Mayor was quoted as saying that OneTen would be a “first spark of a development boom.” And it was, in that time we’ve seen the development of GTECH, the Waterplace Condos, the Westin Residences, Capitol Cove, 333 Atwells Avenue, ALCO, RISD’s Chase Center and numerous other developments and renovations both large and small. We just never saw the development of OneTen Westminster.

Over the years, a number of buildings were torn down, approvals were given for OneTen to be developed, as proposed it grew to 520 feet, the tallest building in RI and the tallest residential building in New England (if you are into size competitions), a hotel component was added (rumored to be a W), the project was scaled back…

Today we sit with a vacant lot on in the Financial District and a facade supported by steel beams on Weybosset Street. Last word is W still wants to open on the site, but is “working on financing.” I imagine that’s going slowly at this point.

Someday something will be built here, but as we’re seeing in the financial and real estate markets, Providence’s eyes were probably a little bigger than it’s belly when it came to supporting a 520 foot luxury condo in 2005. It would have been a damn cool building though.

© Greater City: Providence, 2009 | Permalink | 2 comments |

Reading a NY Times article on how the economic collapse has derailed about 5 billion dollars worth of planned construction in The City (“the landscape of New York will be virtually unchanged for two years”), I started thinking about Providence’s many proposed projects and their status. Thus begins the “Vaporscraper” feature, where we review announced buildings that, perhaps years later, only still exist as a press release or a ProJo article. We will examine what was announced, what might have been, and what still may be. This can allow us to keep track of what was proposed and allow us to keep the heat under the developer’s feet…

What was it?: 32,000 total sf located just east of Cathedral Square on Greene Street, it was slated to be a cluster of 24 luxury condominium units ranging in size from 900 to 1600 sf. Designed, “as a private enclave surrounding a landscaped entrance courtyard of stone and greenway” it was supposed to have gated access and underground parking with townhouse style living above. It was supposed to be brick-clad and about 4 floors.

What has happened?: Absolutely nothing.

What was the potential?: It could have extended the residential core of downtown closer to the West End and put more feet on the ground near Cathedral Square. It also could have replaced a short, 2 floor structure with surface parking with a larger, denser structure with underground parking. It was a type of residential development common in other cities (especially Manhattan, and its overall look and feel resembled many developments there) but almost unavailable downtown in Providence.

What does the developer say?: I contacted Churchill and Banks for GC:PVD by email and a representative says it is, “on hold… No time frame yet, but not indefinitely.”

What could help?: We all know how “luxury housing” is doing right now… Perhaps, given the less than luxury location behind some office buildings, they could aim for constructing some lower to mid-cost apartments that downtown so sorely lacks and that many people claim to desire, if only the housing stock existed. It’s not the best location for retail, but perhaps commercial space on the first floor aimed at startups or small businesses could gain some traction.

© Greater City: Providence, 2008 | Permalink | No comment |