Unique places have special stories
We document the architectural landscape and collect the oral, written, and photographic history of important places in Rhode Island. We hope to be a safe space for storytelling, memory-sharing, and dreaming about the future of the built environment. More about A.I.R.
381 properties and 7 Essays with 6,495 images. Browse more from our Categories and Tags.
Recently added/updated Subscribe
Added 8 April, 2024: A former church mission turned into a series of unsavory businesses establishments until a 30 year old law allowing indoor prostitution was rewritten
Added 24 March, 2024: A purpose-built nursing home that closed within six years due to mismanagement, croneyism, and nepitisim
Added 18 March, 2024: This freight house was part of one of the first major railroad stations in America and one of the few only surviving structures of its architect Thomas A. Tefft
Added 14 March, 2024: A more than century old ornate schoolhouse has been converted to fourteen apartments as part of the nearby Slater Cotton development
Added 8 March, 2024: An art deco jewel along the Blackstone River is decaying from water infiltration and exorbitant repair costs
Added 3 March, 2024: A very early fire station was repurposed as commercial space and a twin building was built next door
Added 25 February, 2024: A charming flat-iron style building on Charles Street, built circa 1874, changed drastically in the past 50 years
Added 24 February, 2024: The evolution of Downtown Providence and Capital Center from a brand-name retail point of view
-
The Art of Ruins — This week’s artful image
Added 18 February, 2024: This four hundred foot long mill had a big part to play in the industrial revolution as home to the inventor James Brown
Added 12 February, 2024: A corner of great change, from prominant residential neighborhood to gritty industrial center and back again
Added 10 February, 2024: A non-descript one story building in the jewelry district was once a job training program for impoverished women
Added 10 February, 2024: An almost 200 year old brick house has seen many changes, from home of a three term Providence Mayor to an industrial business
Updated 4 February, 2024: Added a recent news story about potential redevelopment
Updated 4 February, 2024: Added aerial drone images provided by David Lawlor
Updated 4 February, 2024: Added photos of the demolition sent by John Wardyga
Updated 3 February, 2024: Added more photos of the demolition
#WhatAreTheyBuilding: Under Construction
View the list of new building proposals we are keeping an eye on.
Recent Anecdotes Subscribe
1,946 anecdotes from people just like you.