The Landmarks of Federal Hill: "The Hospital Trust Tower. a Tower Of

Rhode Island College Digital Commons @ RIC Joseph Muratore Papers: Newspaper Columns Special Collections 1-10-1980 The Landmarks of Federal Hill: "The oH spital Trust Tower. A Tower of Italian Travertine Marble" Joseph R. Muratore Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/jm_newspaper_columns Part of the Architectural History and Criticism Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Corporate Finance Commons, Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons, and the Work, Economy and Organizations Commons Recommended Citation Muratore, Joseph R. "The Landmarks of Federal Hill: 'The ospH ital Trust Tower. A Tower of Italian Travertine Marble.'" The choE [Providence] 10 Jan. 1980: pp. 18-19. Print. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections at Digital Commons @ RIC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Joseph Muratore Papers: Newspaper Columns by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ RIC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. / .,I ' Page1 18/The Echo/January 10, 1980 The Landmarks of Federal Hill By Comm. Joaeph R. Muratore @ 1980 . · "The Ho1pltal Tru1t Tower. A Tower of Hallan Travertine Marble" The planning for the Hospital Island Hospital National Bank. itself. Thie is accomplished Trust Tower went back several Public interest in the Hospi- with a large auto truck lift, months before the ground tal Trust Tower first started in which c~n carry vehicles to the breaking took place on Sep 1969, when the bank announ- lower level parking and unload tember 8, 1970. The face of the ced plans for the construction of ing areas. Cash is received from building is not of Carrara Mar a high rise office building on the armored care through . a ble as many have believed it to company owned land at 35 & 49 double-door, security lock sys be, although, Carrara :had been Westminster · St., and 17 tern. These doors are electri visited and was considered to be Kennedy Plaza. cally controlled and monitored used, as it is a beautiful stone Following the groundbreak- on television screens, from the and one which Michaelangelo ing ceremonies for the tower secuiityconsole and the money liked to work with. which formally took place in delivery area. The stone selected, was September of 1969, and from its The vault area, is one of the extremely high quality Traver inception, the tower was mas- most interesting facilities of tine marble, which was mined sively designed. The framework this building. Thie vault was in an old river bed, approzi . consisted of 30 levels of eteeel designed in an "L'shape" and mately 35 miles from Rome. work and rose from a basement divided into two separate areas. Tivoli was also visited sev area of 15 feet below street One area for the surveillance eral times and several suppliers grade, to a roof level height of and control of cash and gold; were used in selecting the finest over 400 ft. above the Provi- the other for the processing and stones available. In this search, dence street grade. automatic storing and. h~n- the .late Raymond Imperatore, In all, ten million lbs., or 4,500 dling of securities. A "Retriever of J m ~ratore Steel Erectors, tons of steel were used to create File" is able to obtain and store, accompanied Mr. Clarence H. the skeleton of the building. almost instantaneously, spe- Gifford, Jr., Chairman of the About 1,200 tons of Traver- cific bins of stocks and bonds. Board. His good friend, the late tine were used in the construe- The vault, itself, is con Victor Beretta of The Duras tion of the Tower. It is structed of 24 inch concrete tone Co;, was also very helpful. interesting to note the system walls with reinforced steel rods. Several members of the local used to transport this massive Its door is composed of lami Beret ta family, were also amount of stone: The initial nated steel and immovable instrumental in facing the cargo traveling from Bagni, de -- wedge-locks, and is a com Travertine on cement for the Trivoli, Italy, arrived at the pletely safe and pleasant work erecting. The general contrac Port of Providence in 1911. The ing area for employees during torss for the construction of the first cargo~ in a new working hours and is a 24-hour, tower were; Conforti · & Eisle, export-import shipping system fort like barrier. ~ Inc., of New York City. called the "Lash" (lighter The Tower is equipped with At the very beginning of this aboard ship) system. It was the one of the most modern security article, we must state, that the ' first such shipment destined for systems fn the United States. existence of this tower is truly a a Rhode Island firm. The Trav- The major system is manned by tribute to Mr. Cla~ence H. Gif ertine arrived directly from the bank's own security force, ford, Jr., Chairman of the Italy on one of the 60 barges and provides protection, as well Board of Rhode Island Hospital carried on the ship's maiden as all innovations, fire alarms Trust National Bank. It was hie voyage to the United States. and evacuation control availa forethought and vision of the With this eyatem, the barges ble. It is interesting to note, that expansion of the bank, requir were dropped at a central point this system is a version of the ing more space for its facilities, and tugged to the port nearest one protecting the United "---.that caused him to initiate the to the firms to which they were States Mint in Denver and some planning and the building of consigned. In this way, elimi- of the Atomic Energy Commie this structure to meet the needs nating the necessity of the eion centers across the United of the bank. It was hie hope and Mother ship, stopping at eev- States. The system incorpo desire that a building be erected eral ports to discharge the rates both visual and audio con that would not only be func cargo ; nunicatione, with many Tower tiQnal to the needs of the bank, The entire 30-etory tower is Areas. .. .. ' ..,:, ... ... , but wouJa be a crea1t to tne taced witn Travertme; making For emergency p _urposee, the entire banking community it the only building in Rhode security console can initiate an area; this, he certainly Island, and only · the second in emergency evacuation sound achieved. New England to utilize this system, which includes direct ·This majestic tower, rising stone to such an extent. The communication with each from, a commanding location, beige-colored stone, actually is Tower floor and elevator car. A in the heart of the Providence not marble, but to the eye, ther,e "Firemen's Service" can call all business district, is located at is practically no difference elevators directly to the lobby in Westminster St., Exchange St. between travertine and lightly case of fire, eliminating all pos and Kennedy Plaza. The thirty tinted marble. Travertine is far sibility of the lifts being story, corporate bank head more suitable than marble for isolated. quarters, has provided more exterior construction work, The interior design of the office space, in Rhode Island because of its greater durability Tower is embellished with than any other building. under all weather conditions. vividly-designed furnishings, The tower is clad in rich, deep The slabs · of Travertine were accented by an abundance of Travertine and contains more one and one quarter inch thick, colorful paintings and sculp than 425,000 gross square feet and were cast in cement, so that tures. All of the wooden Bank of floor space. It is in a setting of the entire block, with steel rein desks in the Tower, except those what has for three centuries forcements is approximately on the first floor, are made of been, the traditional center of ten inches thick, overall. As teak or rose color. The art works commerce for the State of construction progressed, the range from traditional lands Rhode Island. steel was laced into a super capes to modern sculpture and The tower affords a strikiqg structure, forming a skeleton of are the creations oflocal artists. panoramic view of the city, the building; and the travertine The 28th floor is known as the including the historical east facing gradually enclosed the executive floor; on entering the side; a dramatic view of the Tower, · presenting the Provi reception area, a Travertine marble-domed State Capitol to dence skyline with a distinct backdrop, accentuated by a · the North, and the bay area to landmark. bank logo, welcomes you. the South. Approaching the city Entering the interior of the The executives offices of the skyline, one can see a symbol of bank, visitors are introduced to bank are located at the Tower' e the progress taking place in this building by its spacious uppermost floor. Thie area is Providence. 6,500 ft. Plaza which is graced made up of eight individual The challenge in building, by waters from a flowing foun executive offices, a Board of One Hospital Trust Plaza was tain. Guests and customers Director's Room, the Executive to preserve the charm and char may enter directly from the Committee Room, and guest acter of the past, within a for Plaza to the banking floor or dining rooms. The Director's ward moving environment. may proceed in to the building Room, is a recreation of the "This tower is a firm expres lobby, where ten high speed ele former Board Room which was sion of their confidence in the vators are available for use. designed in 1918.

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