This Week Steve and I had a great conversation with of my all time favorite guests, James Brayton Hall, the executive director of The Providence Preservation Society. Historic preservation helps keep communities vibrant, and livable, and gives people a stake in their surroundings. It helps to stabilize neighborhoods and promotes heritage tourism, the fastest growing segment of Tourism, which itself is the fastest growing industry in the US. Historic sites rank high in every survey of tourist preferences and these travelers spend more money and stay longer than the average U.S. traveler. PPS has been at the forfront of this for over 50 years in Rhode Island and on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd, hundreds of these travelers will converge in Providence to celebrate spring as The Providence Preservation Society hosts their 33rd annual Festival of Historic Houses. In addition to the traditional House and Garden Tour on Saturday, PPS will be adding a fabulous Sunset Soiree on Friday June 1 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, at the rooftop garden at the new Warren Alpert School Medical School of Brown University. Sunday, the tour takes you to the Jewelry District for a very different look at the city. Saturday’s tour takes place in the Elmgrove Avenue section of the East Side. The Elmgrove section is a great example of the “city beautiful” movement, featuring winding tree-lined streets with a gracious blend of architectural styles from Tudor to Mid- Century Modern. Sunday’s tour takes a turn to the luxurious lofts and artist studios in the Jewelry District. Once the Costume Jewelry Capital of the World, the Jewelry District was alive with dozens of factories. The area became a forgotten part of Providence when the industry died out. In 1978, the Hedison Building became the first in Rhode Island to be turned into condominiums, and artists began moving in, starting a revival that continues to evolve with the establishment of the Brown University School of Medicine and the removal of 195. The area continues to be a great place to work and live. Which brings me to my last point, adaptive use is a very green concept; rehabilitation is less expensive on average than new construction. The more historic fabric saved, the less hauled off to landfills and the less expensive the rehabilitation. This Week’s Real Estate Insight Founded in 1956, The Providence Preservation Society is as relevant today as it was over a half a century ago, and taking part in the Spring Festival of Historic homes is a great way to support the organization, get some exercise, and get a greater understanding of how our built environment influences us every day . Click here for more information.Celebrate Spring with The Providence Preservation Society
- By Michael McCann
- Posted
This Week Steve and I had a great conversation with of my all time favorite guests, James Brayton Hall, the executive director of The Providence Preservation Society. Historic preservation helps keep communities vibrant, and livable, and gives people a stake in their surroundings. It helps to stabilize neighborhoods and promotes heritage tourism, the fastest growing segment of Tourism, which itself is the fastest growing industry in the US. Historic sites rank high in every survey of tourist preferences and these travelers spend more money and stay longer than the average U.S. traveler. PPS has been at the forfront of this for over 50 years in Rhode Island and on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd, hundreds of these travelers will converge in Providence to celebrate spring as The Providence Preservation Society hosts their 33rd annual Festival of Historic Houses. In addition to the traditional House and Garden Tour on Saturday, PPS will be adding a fabulous Sunset Soiree on Friday June 1 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, at the rooftop garden at the new Warren Alpert School Medical School of Brown University. Sunday, the tour takes you to the Jewelry District for a very different look at the city. Saturday’s tour takes place in the Elmgrove Avenue section of the East Side. The Elmgrove section is a great example of the “city beautiful” movement, featuring winding tree-lined streets with a gracious blend of architectural styles from Tudor to Mid- Century Modern. Sunday’s tour takes a turn to the luxurious lofts and artist studios in the Jewelry District. Once the Costume Jewelry Capital of the World, the Jewelry District was alive with dozens of factories. The area became a forgotten part of Providence when the industry died out. In 1978, the Hedison Building became the first in Rhode Island to be turned into condominiums, and artists began moving in, starting a revival that continues to evolve with the establishment of the Brown University School of Medicine and the removal of 195. The area continues to be a great place to work and live. Which brings me to my last point, adaptive use is a very green concept; rehabilitation is less expensive on average than new construction. The more historic fabric saved, the less hauled off to landfills and the less expensive the rehabilitation. This Week’s Real Estate Insight Founded in 1956, The Providence Preservation Society is as relevant today as it was over a half a century ago, and taking part in the Spring Festival of Historic homes is a great way to support the organization, get some exercise, and get a greater understanding of how our built environment influences us every day . Click here for more information.
