Abandoned Providence National Bank Facade | Rhode Island

There are a lot of historic buildings in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. But there’s one that’s much different than the others… it’s somewhat abandoned, there’s nothing behind the front door, and it’s also an art installation. Welcome to the Providence National Bank facade.
Filmed/Edited by Jason Allard
Additional Footage by:
Dave Lawlor | rb.gy/sixwzy
Iman Khanbhai
Declan Allio
Special thanks to The Avenue Concept and Nick Platzer for their help with this video!
Check out their website here: rb.gy/mn8qfl
My website: www.UncomSenseMedia.com
Follow me on Instagram: @Uncomsense
Drone: DJI Mini 2 More Combo
Main Camera: DJI Osmo Pocket w/ Freewell lens attachments
Interview Camera: Sony A7SIII w/ Sigma f/2.8 24-70mm
Editing: Final Cut Pro X w/ custom plugins
Music By:
Elevated Productions | rb.gy/768e90
WaveyyBeats | rb.gy/pcsrlk
DWNLD | rb.gy/v2by3u
Knox | rb.gy/ejkt9s
Unknown Instrumentalz | rb.gy/wopy7g
Malloy | rb.gy/lldbrz
Additional photos by:
Art In Ruins - rb.gy/rl6t16
Providence Public Library Digital Collection - rb.gy/5xj3qs
Providence Journal Archives - rb.gy/aq10k8
Rhode Island Currency - rb.gy/wisj0p
Let’s take it back in time to 1791, when Providence Bank was established in Rhode Island by John Brown, a prominent politician and businessman. He had a big role in little rhody during his lifetime, most notably helping organize the burning of the Gaspee in 1772, which actually helped move the Thirteen Colonies as a whole toward the war for independence. Don’t think too highly of John Brown though…he was also actively involved in the slave trade.
When he founded Providence Bank here, it was only the fifth bank to be established in the newly created United States of America.
In 1801 they moved to their new headquarters on South Main Street….and In 1865, It became a federally chartered bank a year after President Abraham Lincoln signed a law allowing banks to use “national” in their names; thus, Providence National Bank.
Fast forward a few years to 1929, when on the eve of the Great Depression, the bank moved into its final home on Westminster street.
This is a colonial revival style of architecture, designed by Wallis E. Howe. It featured murals of historic Providence buildings, paneling of Burma Teak, and a floor of Vermont Marble.
If you think this building, or what’s left of it is cool, then check out some of these other sweet properties Wallace designed in Rhode Island:
Barrrington Public Library, a beautiful spot on the river
Primose Hill Elementary School, also in Barrington
Rochambeau Library in Providence
Saint Martin's Church, also in Providence
If you can’t tell, Wallis loved Rhode Island, so his work is all over the place here.
Back to the bank though…Soon after the façade was completed, in 1951 Providence National acquired another big Rhode Island lender, Union Trust and changed its name to Providence Union National Bank and Trust. Finally, the company merged with another bank, Industrial Trust, to create Industrial National Bank. Sound familiar? That’s because Industrial Trust Bank were the original owners of what’s known as the Superman Building in Providence…which is right behind the facade and is also abandoned. Pretty crazy right? But that’s a story for another time.
During the early 2000s, new plans began to develop to demolish a series of buildings on this block in order to build one large skyscraper, which originally aimed to be the tallest in Rhode Island. The luxury condo tower was dubbed One Ten Westminster and had a projected cost of $105 million. The building was expected to bring new business and an economic boost to the Financial District.
So in 2005 over the course of six weeks, the Providence National Bank along with other structures were demolished
As with many development plans, the recession completely pulled the plug on this project in 2007. Delays in permitting and failed financing led the developers to abandon the project and eventually Providence, leaving the site with another parking lot in the heart of downtown.When the development plans fell through, the owner wanted to demolish the remaining façade in order to not pay for its maintenance. But, the contract on the building prohibited this from happening…so it there it stands today.
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