Documenting Change since 2002

Broadway, #298 and 300

Two houses will be expanded within the confines of historic character and almost double the number of available apartments

images of this Property

  • Two structures. At the front along the street is a two and a half story, cross gable woodframe house with a steep pitch. The first floor is clad in red brick and houses a commercial space. One window in a steeply pitched gable and the main front door feature round arch tops. The house at the rea of the property is a rectangular, two story building with shallow double hip roof and a eastern wall of red brick.
  • Rendering 2024, part of HDC Application. Ron Stevenson, Architect for South County Architecture & Design
  • Rendering 2024, part of HDC Application. Ron Stevenson, Architect for South County Architecture & Design

5 images: Press to view larger or scroll sideways to see more. Contribution from South County Architecture & Design

About this Property

Redevelopment

This project came before the Providence Historic District Commission (PHDC) in 2024. The proposal adds a third floor to the rear building at 298 and expands the third floor of the building at 300 as well. The addition and reconfiguration of the two buildings would result in 15 apartment units in total.

The current building at 300 is a wood frame, 2-1/2 story house with commercial space and an apartment on the ground floor and two apartments on second floor and attic. The third floor would be expanded with gable and shed dormers to allow for renovations and code compliant apartments. When completed, the building will maintain the ground floor commercial space along with nine three apartments each on floors one, two, and three.

The building at 298 is a wood frame, 2-story structure with two apartments on each floor. An additional third floor would match existing lower floor cladding and be capped with a new double hip roof and cornice. New windows will match existing in size and layout. After renovations, each floor will have two apartments for a total of six units.

The developer Aref Shehadeh is working as Providence Haus Management in collaboration with architect Ron Stevenson of South County Architecture and Design. Two additional architects, Mark Rapp of Acme Architects and Glen S. Fontecchio of Glen S. Fontecchio Architects, are consulting on historic district review standards, we assume. Both Mr. Rapp and Mr. Fontecchio have gone before the Providence Historic District Commission numerous times for changes to fenestration and exteriors.

The PHDC suggested minimal changes to the designs to preserve the prominent gable roofline of 300 Broadway and to retain the double hip roof at 298 (the previous design had suggested a flat roof). Both suggestions were incorporated into a slight redesign which was then approved at the April 2024 meeting.

Current Events

Construction has begun as of mid-2025. It seems like Schasteâ will remain open while construction is underway.

History

The Broadway-Armory district paperwork lists the house fronting Broadway as 298 but it is now known as 300. The house at the rear was just 298 rear, but is now 298.

From the “Broadway-Armory Historic District” National Register nomination form, 1974

House and Commercial Building (ca 1870): 2 1/2 story; cross-gable; shingle simple house; with later 1-story brick storefront addition. (C) House at rear, see below.

Rear House (early 20th C.): 2-story; hip; shingle and brick very plain building; possibly garage converted to residence, located at rear of 298 Broadway. (C)

(C): Contributing