Form 10.300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE: July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

COUNTY,

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Providence

INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE

Type all entries - complete applicable secions

.:..:...:c*f:.:t:c: ::..:..c .:j.i.;:*?:.S: ::. ::?.:‘‘.:::j..: .. COMMON Union Trust Company Building

ANDOR HISTORIC:

TL OCAT ION STREET AND NUMBER: 62 Dorrance Street CITY OR TOWN: Providence STATE I CODE COUNTY: CODE Rhode Island, 02903 J111C"J Providence 007 Ia. CLASSIFICATION

CATEGORY . ACCESSIBLE IA OWNERSHIP STATUS check One TO THE PUBLIC a El District IjJ ‘Building El Public Public Acquisition: Occupied Yes: 0 Rest’iced El Site El Structure Private El In Process El Unoccupied j Unrestncted 0 Object 0 Both Being Considered El Preservation work El in progress El No

Li PRESENT USE Check One or More as Appropriate El Agricultural El Government El Park El Transportation El Comments ij Commercial El Industrial El Private Residence El Other Specify Military I- ‘ flJ Educational El 0 Religious Entertainment Museum Scientific Cd, El El 0 a WNEROFPROPERTY’ - . - -- OWNERS NAME; . - Dorrance Associates, Inc.

UI STREET AND NUMBER: ! UI ‘235 Promenade_Street Id, CITY OR TOWN: STATE: . CODE Provjdece Rhode Island If t’’’i.oc 1’I N’’6. GIRl P COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: n 0 City Hall zC STREET AND NUMBER: - -4 Dorrance Street at Washiflgton Street

CITY OR TOWN: STATE ‘ CODE

Providence . Rhode Island, 02903 Lilt -

frIRESENTATI0EXI5TING SURVEYS

TITLE OF SURVEY: TI

Not so represented . DATE OF SURVEY: El Federal El State El County El Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: . C z o‘0 cn

STREET AND NUMBER:

Cz CITY OR TOWN: ‘ STATE: CODE - - a Check Or,. LX Excellent El Good El Fair El Deteriorated El Ruins D Unexposed CONDITION Check One Check One Xl Altered El Unaltered El Moved f Origir,aI Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL If known PHYSICAL APPEARANCE The Union Trust Company Building in downtown Providence is a twelve- story structure of steel framing and concrete, externally faced in brick and stone. It was built in 1901-1902 from designs by the local firm of Stone, Carpenter and Willson, who employed for its ornate exterior the then-prevalent renaissance-revival style, somewhat French-accented, Nine bays wide across its principal west façade, it was originally only four hays deep but was expanded to its present depth of seven hays abait 1920. The first and second stories were reserved for bank use, the upper floors given over to office suites for rental.

Externally, the first and second stories display a facing of rusti cated granite and are treated as one unit a "hasett for the tall eleva tions above. The first story is of considerable height, and its large window bays are separated frai one another by engaged columns of the composite order, ttcontinued" in the second story by rustication and sup- Cd porting there keystoned. round arches. Heavy quoined piers define the fli corners of the building at these two levels. The tall plate glass windows rn of the ground floor are each divided in two by metal mullions, up to a segmentally-arched transom area; each transom spade contains an oval staine - glass panel showing the crest of a great banking city of the world. The elaborate central entrance portico of stone on the west front is distyle in antis, and has composite columns supporting a massive entablature with dentils and modillions. Upon the entablature is a balustrade with urns. The broad central doorway within the portico is arched and has reclining figures in relief surmounting it; narrower bays on either side have blind = oculi above rectangular windows. Originally a domed, circular vestibule fl

of bronze and glass was set in front of the entrance. Now there is a -!

plainer, rectangular, interior one instead. A ‘much less adorned entrance - is in the easternmost bay newer portion of the north elevation and gives access to an elevator lobby which serves the offices on the upper floors.

The third story has its own treatment of rustication, and the win dows of the fourth through twelfth floors are treated with either full, rusticated ItGibhs surrounds" or, alternately, only capping in this style. These stories are covered by brick and trimmed with white Georgia marble, At the buildingts top, long brackets support a deep, modillioned cornice, above which runs a balustrade with urns--an enlarged version of that over the entrance portico. On the west, two widely-spaced decorative halciDnies are attached to the fourth story, and one accents the center of the eighth story.

The interior of the !round floor is described in the Savings and Trust Review of September, 190h:

* The ground space is Lihx96 feet [71tx96 after l920J. It has a paneled ceiling with a carving in the center of each panel. The walls are finished in laquered gold. The counter, which is serpentine in form, is constructed of the finest selected "Old Convent" Siena marble of wonderful uniformity and texture, See Continuation Sheet. Form 1O-300o UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR STATE July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island NAtIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY Providence INVENTORY . NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE Continuation Sheet -l

Number all entries 7. Description.

and is supported by a series of consoles, each of which bears the sculptured head of some divinity. Surmounting the counter is a grillework of chaste design. The floor of the lobby is a series of mosaics with interlacing of the Numidian, Siena, and other famous maitles

A stairway at the rear of the large banking-hall just described led to a halcnny and to the directors’ room. The latter was panelled in dark woods and lighted by three "rococo sunbursts." Stairway, balcony and directors’ room are no longer present, and unfortunately a lack of records, of memory and of photographs at the bank prevents better description of these pre sumably imposing features or of the changes made upon them, and else where within.

As seen today, following the enlargement of the building c. 1920 and major renovations undertaken in 1928 and 196h, the banking-hall has two pairs of square, free-standing piers spaced down its center; they supoort the"beams" of the ceiling; an angular marble counter--without grillework and replacing the serpentine one--runs around them. The major dividing members of the ceiling are supported hy light, decorated brackets where they meet the walls and interrupt the dentilled cornice or entablatu±e running around the room. Each coffer of the ceiling now has a modern lighting fixture in its center. The large, segmental-headed windows on three sides of the room have enframements of plaster moldings topped by decorated keystones. Between the windows, above a high dado, are tall, narrow nanels defined by plaster moldings formed of hound sterns or stalks expanding into leafage at mid- and angle-points: rococo, hut very cn- trolled. In the southern por-tioh of the east wall is the large and elabo rate door’ray to the vault, with large-scaled surmounting ornament of foli ation, a cartouche etc. To the north of the vault there is a door leading to the elevator hall in the 1920 extension. This is treated in marble as a baroque portal with a scrolled pediment, carved foliation, a crest and urns on the banking-hall side, and a heavy broken segmental pediment on consoles on the corridor side. The stone or "mosaic" floor of the banking area is now covered by carpeting.

The elevator hail has a marble pavement ‘4ith an inlaid border; its walls are partially panelled in marble; the ceiling is a panolled plaster barrel-vault. The upp-r, or office, floors have exnectedly simple trim: corridors paved in dull white marble, light-colored plaster wails, dark- stained woodwork running around doors with frosted glass.

GPO 921.724

I] ______

- . SIGNIFIçANCE -- H ... . PERIOD Check One or More as Appropriate C Pre-Columbian I Q 16th Century C 18th Century XJ 20th Century C 15th Century C 17th Century C 19th Century

SPECIFIC DATEtS If Applicable and Known 1QO1-l902 -

AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE Check One or More as Appropriate - - Aboriginal C Education C Political 0 Urban Planning Prehistoric Other Specify O 0 Engineering 0 Religion/Phi. 0 O Historic J Industry losophy 0 Agriculture 0 Invention C Science Architecture 0 Landscape 0 Sculpture O Art Architecture C Social/Human- Literature - 0 Commerce 0 itarion 9 Communicotions 0 Military Theoter Conservotion - o Music 0 Tronsportation

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE - The Union Trust Company Building is an example of grandiose re vivalist and eclectic turn-of-the-century architecture--a symbol of the high status in which the financial community saw itself in this era. Although its architects employed modern steel framing, which enabled them to build a commercial structure twelve stories high, some- o what indiscriminately-chosen ‘1clasic" or "period" decoration described - at the time as "French Renaissance of the period of Louis XVII. was ap- plied to make the building superficially opulent. Fortunately the re- o suits in this case are imposing and pleasing rather than extravagant and muddled.

The Bank of America had been chartered in Providence in 1851. It was renamed the Union Trust Company in 189h, and by 1900 a new build in ing was wanted. The community had prospered greatly and was proud of z its financial progress: the use in the new bank building of stained- - glass panels representing great banking cities announces indirectly that Providence considered itself a banking center also. The use of LU sculptural ornament and semi-heraldic details emphasizes solidity and Lu tradition, despite this bank’s corporate existence of only fifty years. Savings and Trust Review of September, l9Ob, furthers this thought:

The most prominent architectural feature of the business centre of Providence, R. I., is the imposing building of the Union Trust Company. Symmetrical in its proportions, strikingly ornate, of unmistakable solidity and durability, overshadowing all other structures, it at once challenges attention and admiration. Rising to a height of 12 stories, it stands a graceful monument of prosperity based upon sound financial methods.

The regulated formality of the design demonstrates a reaction against.the freer, more imaginative--and more native--architecture of the two or three decades preceding the date of this building’s con struction. At the same time, the "rococo" ornamentation within the building displays a vernacular, rather than an academically correct, approach: the piaster decoration is symmetrical and linear, unlike

See Continuation Sheet 2 . - 5’,

Form IO-300a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE - - - July 969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY Providence INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM . FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE Continuation- Sheet-2

Number all entries 8. Significance.

the original and very plastic style. The space of the banking-hall is not IlcomniexIl and tlsculpted,tI hilt straightforward, and enlivened originally only by the serpentine counter. Even the marble hallway of the 1920’s en- largen’ent is very plain in surface treatment except for the purnosely im pressive doorway to the banking-hall. Although the original proportions of the building were lost when it was enlarged, and the character of the interior diluted by renovations, the building still reflects the tastes and fortunes of its particular period and--in its prominent location--re mains a focal point and a monument to Providence’s growth, commerce and af

fluence. --

After -absorbing nine other banks and then becoming consolidated with the Providence National Bank, the Union Trust Company was in turn absorbed by the Industrial National Bank in lc5Y. - The Industrial National Bank having sold the building now leases the ground floor as a branch office, and other concerns occupy the upner ‘floors. This branch office is still called the ttTJnion Trust Office" and is maintained in a state of elegance.

GPO 921.724 I - . *f..BIBLIOGRAPHI.CAL

Cady, John Hutchins: The Civic and Architectural Development of Provide 1636-1950 Providence, Rhode Island, 1957, pp. 208, 209, 21t7. Piggott, Fred: A History of the Industrial National Bank of Providence, R. I. Providence, Rhode Island, 1961. Savings and Trust Review, Vol. 1 , No. ? , pp. 315-319. September, l9Ob.

E GEOGRAPHICAL DATA -______--______- LA TITU DE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LA TI TUDE AND LONGI TUDE COORDINA TES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATtNG THE PROPERTY 0 DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY R OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE - LATITUDE LONGI rUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds 0 - NW 0 - - 1u° b8 Sb.16N 71 0 2b h1.92"w NE a - a SE a - 0 . SW 9 . - 0 - APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NDNINA’TEO PROPERTY: Lesi than one acre V. STATE COUNTY BOUNDARIES IST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING OR ni STATE; CODE COUNTY . CODE rn

STATE: - - CODE COUNTY: CODE z STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE ‘I,

STATE: .. CODE COUN TV: CODE -

[11- FORM PREPARED BY C NANE AND TI TLE: . - B. Christopher Bene, Surveyor-Researcher n ZATIDN -1 Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission f-ch ii 1972 STREET AND NUMBER: 0 IL Street John Brown House, 52 Power z IL CITY OR TOWN; STAr F - COOC f U, U, Providence Rhode Island, 02906 -

STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICA lION - - NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION

As the designated State Liaison Officer or the Na- - --. - - I hereby certify that this property is included in the tsonal Fissloric Preservation Act of 1966 Public Law 89-665, I hereby nominate this property for inclusion Notional Register, in the Notional Register nod certify that it has been

eva luat ccl accord i,ig to t lie c rite r in II od proce do res set

forth by Ihe National Park Service-. The recommended ------Chief, Office of Archeo!oy anti Historic J’reservat:on level of ssgnsficonce of this nominatIon is: National C! State C LocaL

Date

Name - - ATTEST:

Title C

-. Keeper of The National Reeister Date - Dote I

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES providence PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR P’IPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph Z i*-* **...... :.. o COMMON:UfliOfl Trust Co!npany Building - AND/OR HISTORIC: ... >.. I- OPkT1O$... u STREET AND NUMBER: 62 Dorrance Street CITY OR TOWN: Providence

I- STATE: CODE COUNTY: - CODE Rhode Island liii Providence uot z HOTOREFERNCE

- IPHOTO CREDIT: B. Christopher Bene bATE OF PHOTO: 1972 LU INEGATIVE FILED AT:RhOde Island Historical Preservation Commission, - w j John Brown House, 2 Power Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02Q06 In DESCRI BE VIEW. DIREC TI ON. ETC. View north-west in banking-hafl.

__

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Providence PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE In Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph Z L1NAME*’ ...... *.:*.:::: .*: ... o Ic0MMNUnion Trust Company Buj1djn - jAND/OR HISTORIC:

I- LOCATIOH - STEET AJ.P N_UMBER O b2 Iiorrance Street

CITY OR LOWN: ?rovidence

STATE: CODE Rhode Island IC0Tovjdence UU - z HOTQ REFERENCE - PHOTO CREDIT: F. Cbristopher Bene DATE OF PHOTO: 1Q72 LU EGATIVEFILEDAT: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, LU John Brown House 2 Power Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02906 * tTW1cATlôN In èIESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Exterior frcim the south-west.

STATE - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island COUN NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE In Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph

...... 0 cOMMON: Un±on TrsCompanyuilding

- AND/OR HISTORIC: I- l,OCA1iON u STREET AND NUMBER: 62 Dorrance Street CITY OR TOWN: Providence I- STATE, CODE COUNTY: - CODE In Rhode Island lilt Providence 007 z jOTO REFERENCE - PHOTO CREDIT: B. Christopher Bene DATE OF PHOTO: 1972

LU IEGATIVE FILED AT: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, - LU John Brown House, 2 Power Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 0206 In DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. .. Door in north-east corner of banking-hall, leading to elevator lobby of office building. Ugh

& Lt 30/

/i

GE0GRAPHJL COORDINATES Latitude: 41° 481 54.16" N Longitude: 71° 24’ 41.92" W

35 N j 36 N 1Form 10-301 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE july 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Providence PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map

z - -- -: 0 COMMON: Union Trust Compy Building AND/OR HISTORIC:

- -- - - .. ... :-- -f--:- - I .OCA’TiON:. :‘- ._.. STREET AND NUN BER: U 62 Dorrance Street CITY OR TOWN: Providence I- STATE: CODE_IC0’T: CODE Rhode Island In lih Providence TOO?... z SOURCE: U. S. Geological Survey

LU 1: 2I,OOO DATE: Ui 1O EQWRIMEN?$ In TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1 Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference,