Captain George Benson House

About this Property

#Recent Developments

This stately Federal-style home is individually listed on the National Register as well as part of the College Hill Local Historic District. Built in 1797, it is one of the few 18th-century homes Providence has and certainly one of the most grand, though restrained on the exterior.

It was for sale in 2023 and sold to local developer for over asking at $1,425,000. The project quickly became a lighting rod as plans to add four more houses to the lot got slimmed down.

Starting in April 2024, the Providence Group (Dustin Dezube, Managing Partner, and designer Kevin Diamond of Providence Architecture + Building Company) sought approval to subdivide this lot on College Hill and construct new housing. The lot has remained intact for over 120 years, and while the landscape is not historic in its own right, new buildings could completely obscure and encroach upon this nationally significant, 225+ year old house.

In a Providence Historic District Commission (PHDC) report from April 2024, staff suggested that the first submission of these plans was unworkable. Mr. Diamond proposed subdividing the lot into five, with four new lots and buildings surrounding the primary middle lot with the George Benson house. According to zoning, this could have been allowed because each lot would have been over the 5,000 square foot minimum allowed. The main concern they had was introducing a new building at the corner of Prospect and Angell Streets. Not only would this remove significant sight lines, the new structure would be in contrast to surrounding houses that contribute to the historic nature of the intersection.

It is Staff’s opinion that this is a singular property [with] national significance, both historically and architecturally. While the grounds are not historic in their own right, this building has sat in its current setting for the last 120+ years with little-to-no change […] The most problematic location [for a new structure] is the southeast corner. It is staff’s opinion that subdividing and allowing a structure here is not appropriate and should not be allowed. Even with a reduction in grade, the new building would obscure the historic sight lines, particularly coming west along Angell Street and north and south along Prospect Street. […] The effect of introducing a structure at this location would cause an adverse effect to the Benson House and the surrounding district.

No formal vote was sought as this was a request for advisory opinion by the City Plan Commission’s Administration Officer, Robert Azar. But the negative reaction to a proposed structure on the southeast corner stopped the application from proceeding and the proposal was denied.

A different application from the Providence Group in September of 2024 requested the demolition of a mid-20th century, non-contributing, three-car garage of cinder-block construction. The PHDC approved the demolition plans. Photographic and drawn plans were requested and provided as documentation of the structure.

A new proposal came back in February 2025 with two proposed houses on the lot. One house would have a partially-sunk garage on the eastern side of the property, but many who voiced opinions at the meeting still rejected the plan. The Commission voted to continue at a later meeting.

At a January 2026 meeting, the applicant proposed the subdivisions — for an approximately 29,984 SF lot to be divided into three; 18,977 SF, 6,000 SF and 5,000 SF. The proposed dwellings would be a single family home and a multifamily, three-unit row house along DaFoe Place to the west. Variants were granted.

#Current Events

While the final design of the proposed houses have not been approved, the approval of the subdivision and variance for a multi-unit dwelling in an R-1 zone is a major step forward for this development.

#History

Captain George Benson

Captain George Benson was a partner in Brown, Benson, & Ives, a mercantile trading company with Nicholas Brown, Jr, and Thomas Poynton Ives. Nicholas Brown, Sr. was a known slave trader who had funded the disastrous voyage of The Sally in 1764, captained by Esek Hopkins. Due to the voyage, Nicolas Brown Sr. introduced his son to abolitionist George Benson, Jr., son of Captain George Benson, as a mentor.

Brown, Benson, & Ives was a shipping company that largely stayed away from the slave trade after their disastrous attempt — though it must be speculated that if the voyage went better, they likely would have continued. At the end of the 18th century (1700s), the company continued to sail to Africa but sought “legitimate” trade that involved an exchange of raw materials from Africa for finished Western goods.¹

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From the College Hill Historic District nomination form, Edward F. Sanderson & Keith N. Morgan, January 1976

Two entries: The first noting architectural quality or historic importance, and the second as part of the district inventory.

Captain George Benson house, 1794. Federal: 2 1/2 stories; clapboard; hipped roof and monitor each with balustrade with urn finials; dentil and modillion cornices; pedimented dormers; 5 bay facade with flared lintels and carved key-blocks; central segmental pedimented Doric entrance portico; one story ell on west; set on fine landscaped hillside site behind Federal style fence with urn finials.

Capt. George Benson House, 1794. Federal; 2-1/2 stories; hip roof with deck and roof balustrades; clapboard; 5-bay facade; central entrance under Doric portico with segmental pedimented roof; splayed lintel window caps with carved keystones; pedimented dormers; set above street on lot fronted by stone retaining wall topped with Federal Revival fence. Originally owned by partner in the important Providence merchant firm Brown, Benson & Ives.

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Other Sources

• Library of Congress, survey HABS RI-172
• Providence Architecture Guide, Captain George Benson House

#In the News

One of College Hill’s Premier Properties Hits the Market — Goddard Home for Centuries

GoLocalProv

September 08, 2023 (abridged)

The official name is the Captain George Benson House, but it is best known as the home of one of Rhode Island’s most famous families — the Goddards.

The family dominated Rhode Island business and finance for nearly two centuries, and the Goddards have been dubbed one of “The Five Families.”

The Goddard family sold it a few years ago, and it is now on the market again.

The home is perched on College Hill on the corner of Angell and Prospect, uniquely looking over both RISD and Brown campuses.

The asking price is $1,250,000.

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Developer Dezube Wants to Carve Up Historic Goddard Estate on College Hill

GoLocalProv

May 17, 2024 (abridged)

Developer Dustin Dezube is proposing to cut the historic Goddard estate on College Hill in Providence into five parcels.

Dezube bought the historic property in October of 2023 via a corporation he controls for $1,425,000. The home sits on a lot that is nearly 30,000 square feet.

The main home at 64 Angell Street would remain, but the carriage house would be torn down as part of Dezube’s plan, and four new homes would be constructed.

The Brown University medical school-educated Boston-based developer has been under the microscope for a series of proposed projects in the city.

“I love Providence, its historic charm and its creativity,” Dezube told GoLocal. […]

Dezube has been a lightning rod in the past year. His proposed apartment complex on Wickenden Street drew dozens in opposition last summer. “Wickenden Street [has a] unique neighborhood character,” said Fox Point Neighborhood Association President Lily Bogosian at the packed meeting at the Joseph Doorley Municipal Building in July. “This complex is the antithesis of everything that represents Wickenden Street.” […]

— Captured 13 March 2026 from https://www.golocalprov.com/news/developer-dezube-wants-to-carve-up-historic-goddard-estate-on-college-hill