Date Added: 2002

14 properties

The first 14 properties that appeared on ArtInRuins in the first year it started. These represent a preponderance of demolitions, a little bit of decay, and one amazing turnaround for a building that was never fully built in the first place. Next Year

  • Built circa 1915, these concrete coal storage towers were demolished in late 2002 by oversight — a permit was granted despite their protection by inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

    Silver Lake | Built: 1915 | Demolition: 2002

  • A large former gymnasium with a large enough indoor space to support a suspended indoor quarter mile track. Demolished in 2001.

    East Side | Built: 1927 | Demolition: 2001

  • A mid-century modern complex built in the late 60s/early 70s for Bulova Watch and then occupied by General Electric for about 20 years.

    Warwick, RI | Built: circa 1970

  • A sweet little simple Art Deco brick gas station in the middle of the Hope Street commercial district. Probably contaminated and hard to subdivide, so it came down.

    East Side | Built: 1940s | Demolition: 2002

  • Parcel 14: This Neo—Classical Revival structure stood unfinished for 80 years before finally getting a new life as a hotel in 2004.

    Smith Hill | Built: 1926

  • Abandoned and derelict for 17 years, the former brewery complex that once employed 850 people was razed in 1998. The brand has lived on and has since reclaimed its Rhode Island heritage.

    Cranston, RI | Built: 1890 | Demolition: 1998

  • A long, low slung industrial building west of the highway and in the shadow of the Providence Place Mall. Neglect over ten years as well as some nefarious local dealings took the building down.

    Smith Hill | Built: 1929 | Demolition: 2008

  • By the time we took photos, most of the main mill building had crumbled. The main building, though, is still standing and has been converted to a restaurant.

    Warwick, RI | Built: 1867, 1918 | Demolition: 2002

  • A much loved Rhode Island summer destination and chowder and clamcakes tradition. First amusement installed in 1850 and operational for about 140 years.

    Warwick, RI | Built: 1847–1918 | Demolition: 2003

  • An early demolition of a large mill complex that flew under the radar in the early 2000s. Replaced by a Home Depot shopping center.

    Charles | Built: 1850-1880 | Demolition: 2001

  • A 60-year history slinging good, hearty diner food evaporated into a cyclone of legal battles. The diner itself is still unrestored.

    Smith Hill | Built: 1937

  • A collection of Victorian Gothic cottages and a stone chapel turned into a shopping center with character.

    Cranston, RI | Built: 1881-1891

  • The one that started a revolution. A 13 acre site, bounded by Atwells Ave, Eagle Street, and Valley Street, housing cheap artist studio space and the famous Fort Thunder arts collective.

    Olneyville/Valley | Built: 1866-1875 | Demolition: 2002

  • Vacant since 1987, this building stood on the West Side across from Central High School for over 20 years before being completely razed to the ground.

    West Side | Built: 1906 | Demolition: 2008