Martin & Hall
| Company type | Architectural firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture |
| Founded | February 1, 1893, Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
| Founder | Frank H. Martin, George Frederic Hall |
| Defunct | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Providence , United States |
Area served | Primarily Rhode Island, New England, United States; one project in Texas |
Key people | Frank H. Martin (partner, 1893–1917), George Frederic Hall (partner, 1893–1928) |
Martin & Hall was an American architectural firm headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, established in 1893 by architects Frank H. Martin and George Frederic Hall. After Martin passed away in 1917, Hall managed the practice independently until his own death in 1928.
History
The partnership began on February 1, 1893, when two senior staff members from the local firm Stone, Carpenter & Willson decided to start their own company. They brought along several clients, which led to tensions with their former employer. Consequently, both architects were initially barred from joining the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) until after the deaths of Alfred Stone and Edmund R. Willson. Martin & Hall ran a prosperous general architectural practice without focusing on a particular specialty, primarily serving Rhode Island but also undertaking projects in other New England states and one in Texas.
Their first office was situated on Custom House Street, but in 1894 they moved to the newly constructed Industrial Trust Building (now demolished). By 1901, the firm relocated again to the Union Trust Company Building, where it remained thereafter. Both buildings were designed by their previous employer, Stone, Carpenter & Willson.
Following Martin’s sudden death in 1917, Hall continued operating the firm as a sole proprietorship until he died in 1928.
Frank H. Martin
Frank Howard Martin (March 9, 1863 – February 2, 1917) was born in Seekonk, Massachusetts to Sylvester G. Martin and Susan B. Martin (née Padelford). He received his education through Providence public schools and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His early career included work with firms such as Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell in New York City. In 1888, he returned to Providence to join the staff at Stone, Carpenter & Willson.
In 1887, Martin married Annie W. Burgess from Lynn, Massachusetts. The couple had one daughter, Maude Potter Martin, who wed William Low Studley in 1915; Studley was associated with a client frequently served by the firm. Martin held memberships in the AIA, the Architectural League of New York, and the Providence Art Club, and also served as senior warden at S. Stephen's Church. He passed away at his Providence home after a short illness at age 53.
George Frederic Hall
George Frederic Hall AIA (June 11, 1866 – September 6, 1928) was born in Providence to Alvin E. Hall and Martha Louise Hall (née Andrews). He attended public schools in Providence before joining Stone, Carpenter & Willson. During his time there, he independently designed the Narragansett Boat Club building on the Seekonk River (1891), a club of which he was a member.
Hall married Mary Woodbury Polleys in 1897; they did not have children. He actively participated in the AIA and was involved with the Narragansett Boat Club and Wannamoisett Country Club. Additionally, he served six terms as president of the Providence Art Club. In 1928, Hall was named secretary of the commission responsible for erecting an Oliver Hazard Perry statue at the Rhode Island State House; this monument was dedicated shortly after his passing. He became ill while overseeing construction of the Industrial Trust Building and died weeks later at age 62.
Legacy
Martin & Hall adopted the architectural approach of their previous firm, Stone, Carpenter & Willson, primarily focusing on contemporary revival styles such as Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, and Neoclassical. Early commissions, including the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History (1895), display Châteauesque influences. Their designs are notable for pronounced detailing and scale. Subsequent projects like the Edwin A. Smith Building (1912) and two public restrooms incorporate intricate wrought-iron elements inspired by Art Nouveau motifs showcased at the 1900 Paris Exposition. The Smith Building serves as a representative example of Rhode Island’s Commercial Style, shaped by Chicago’s architectural trends.
Prominent Rhode Island architects such as Wallis Eastburn Howe, Norman M. Isham, Ambrose J. Murphy, and John Forbes Hogan collaborated with Martin & Hall or worked with Hall individually.
At least five structures designed by Martin & Hall are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), with additional buildings contributing to historic districts.
Architectural works
(All completion dates indicated; works after 1917 credited solely to Hall.)
- 1893 – Former St. Maria's Home, 125 Governor St, Providence
- 1895 – Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History, Providence
- Martin & Hall expanded the building with a large north wing in 1916; part of the NRHP-listed Roger Williams Park Historic District.
- 1896 – Clark Dalrymple Boathouse, Roger Williams Park, Providence
- Listed as a contributing resource on the NRHP.
- 1896 – Former St. Francis Xavier Academy, 60 Broad St, Providence
- Currently known as Xavier Hall at Johnson & Wales University.
- 1897 – Former Broad Street Grammar School, 1450 Broad St, Providence
- 1897 – Classical High School, 124 Pond St, Providence (demolished)
- 1897 – William H. Low Building, 229 Westminster St, Providence
- Contributes to the NRHP-listed Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1897 – Former St. John's Episcopal Church, East Boston
- Primarily designed by Wallis Eastburn Howe; part of NRHP-listed Eagle Hill Historic District.
- 1897 – St. Vincent de Paul Infant Asylum, Providence (demolished)
- 1898 – Alice Building, 236 Westminster St, Providence
- Included within Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1898 – Hope High School, Providence (demolished)
- 1898 – Rhode Island Normal School, Providence (demolished)
- Previously housed state offices; decorative elements preserved for Rhode Island College performing arts center.
- 1900 – Squantum Association clubhouse, Riverside
- Listed on the NRHP.
- 1901 – American Textile Mill, Pawtucket
- Designed chiefly by Wallis Eastburn Howe.
- 1901 – Basement church of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Providence
- Likely designed by Ambrose J. Murphy; later completed by Murphy, Hindle & Wright; NRHP-listed.
- 1901 – Webster Memorial Guild House of S. Stephen's Church, Providence
- Contributing property within College Hill Historic District.
- 1903 – Central Fire Station, Providence (demolished)
- 1903 – Receiving tomb at North Burial Ground, Providence
- Part of an NRHP-listed historic district.
- 1903 – Shepard Company Building, Providence
- NRHP-listed and contributes to Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1904 – Irons & Russell Building, Providence
- Located in the NRHP-listed Jewelry Manufacturing Historic District.
- 1906 – Additions to Frederick S. Peck house at Belton Court, Barrington
- Significant expansion by Hall in 1928; NRHP-listed.
- 1909 – Former Esmond School, Esmond
- Currently serves as East Smithfield Public Library.
- 1910 – Former Providence City Hospital, Providence
- Later renamed Charles V. Chapin Hospital; now part of the Providence College campus.
- 1911 – Parish house for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Sherman, Texas
- 1912 – Kinsley Building, Providence
- Contributing resource to Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1912 – Reception Hospital addition at Eleanor Slater Hospital, Cranston (demolished)
- 1912 – Edwin A. Smith Building, Providence
- Included in Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1913 – Public restroom at Weybosset and Mathewson Streets, Providence
- Part of Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1914 – Parish house of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, East Providence
- Listed on the NRHP.
- 1914 – St. Paul's Chapel, Providence (demolished)
- 1914 – Trolley shelter and public toilet at Kennedy Plaza, Providence
- Now incorporated into Kennedy Plaza Intermodal Transportation Center; contributes to Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1915 – Blanding Free Public Library and Goff Memorial Hall, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
- Contributing property within Rehoboth Village Historic District.
- 1916 – Addition to Kate Lane Richardson house at Yellow Patch, Narragansett Pier
- Part of Central Street Historic District.
- 1917 – Kennedy Building, Brockton, Massachusetts
- 1917 – Addition to Leander R. Peck School, Barrington
- Located within Barrington Civic Center Historic District.
- 1920 – Addition and renovations to Thomas Street buildings for the Providence Art Club
- Included in College Hill Historic District.
- 1924 – Additions to Rhode Island Maximum Security Prison in Cranston
- Original jail project discontinued after state funding was withdrawn.
- 1927 – Expansion of William H. Hall Free Library in Cranston
- Not associated with the donor William H. Hall.
- 1928 – Oversight of Industrial Trust Building construction alongside Walker & Gillette architects
- Contributing element of Downtown Providence Historic District.
- 1928 – Addition to Union Trust Company Building, Providence
- Part of Downtown Providence Historic District.