For Part Five of my Providence series, I am discussing a study and publication that was developed in the late 1950s. Through a book dealer in Providence, I was able to purchase a copy of the 1959 publication "College Hill: A Demonstration Study of Historic Urban Renewal." This study and publication was funded by a combination of federal, city and private foundation sources.
College Hill is located just east of Providence's downtown business district. It is the home of both Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. The publication contains a photographic inventory of the area's significant hsitoric structures and lays out concepts for integrating modernist architecture with existing historic structures. This plan was never acted upon, but its significance was to set in motion the restoration of hundreds of old homes and commercial buildings many of which dated back to the 1700s and 1800s.
Looking at the concept of the modernist low-rise and high-rise structures one is reminded of changing tastes over the last fifty years in urban renewal concepts. It was to Providence's benefit that there was never the funding available to carry out the modernist approach and the essential historic fabric of College Hill remained intact with just the incursion of some modern buildings here and there in the two college campuses.
Overall for Providence the lack of funds to raze older buildings and replace them with newer structures is what helped to make Providence the "Renaissance City" that became a popular tourist destination starting in the early '90s.
Benefit Street, recognized nationally for its mile long collection of historic homes and institutional structures.
An aerial view showing the area of College Hill. The Brown University campus is located in the central area of the photo. (Courtesy of Google Earth)
The cover of the 1959 study of College Hill.
Below are random pages showing sample historic inventories and proposals for urban renewal by mixing modernist architecture of that period with the older historic structures. The plan called for some older structures to be razed in parts of the study area.
Detail illustration showing new architecture overlooking the city.
Detail showing a mix of '50s style low-rise housung with older residential structures.
Additional concepts for low-rise and historic homes.
A modernist tower proposed for a street lined with historic homes.
Additional views of historic homes and newly created low-rise housing.
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Comments
Stellaa, I know what you mean about too much reliance on old architectural styles in the new buildings. I have seen a combination of buildings around the city that go in several directions--modernist, post modern and more traditional. Several of the newer downtown towers are basically modernist/contemporary and they seem to work well within the context of the city skyline. One of the towers that was finished in 1973 was nicknamed by us as the "IBM punchcard," as its windows and beige Travertine marble sheathing looked very much like one.
I just went back and read all of the Providence posts so far. The photos are amazing, fun, and a little wistful for me, and your insights are really enjoyable. I'm a resident of the West Side, where we don't get the kind of attention paid to downtown and the East Side...I'm working on a Providence-related post now on my own neighborhood. It's pretty different.
Vikki, that's great to hear that you are in Providence and I look forward to seeing your post about your part of town. One of my classmates lived, after graduation, in the western part of the city. He was close to Broadway and within walking distance of I-95. I think that's close to the part of town called Elmwood, but you would know the names better than I do. Bob Vila did a whole season on the Elmwood district a number of years ago and I've been trying to figure out how to do a post on that. (I recorded the whole series.) I remember seeing some great Victorian-era houses around there.
I would add that you are correct about not as much attention being paid to the western end of town. The biggest focus of media stories has been on the city center and then it kind of radiates out from there to a degree. Thanks for your comment and I can't wait to see your post!