Merchants Bank Building (Providence, Rhode Island)
| Industry | Banking |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 1818 |
| Defunct | May 1926 |
| Fate | Merged with Providence National Bank |
| Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island , United States |
Key people | Royal C. Taft (president 1868–1908), Robert W. Taft (president from 1909) |
The Merchants Bank Building stands as a notable historic commercial edifice located at 32 Westminster Street in the heart of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Constructed initially in 1857 and subsequently reconstructed in 1891, it served as the home of Merchants Bank until the institution merged with Providence National Bank in 1926, with the combined bank continuing operations there until 1930.
Description and history
This six-story structure, crafted from brownstone and designed by architects Alpheus C. Morse and Clifton A. Hall between 1855 and 1857, was one of the pioneering buildings within Providence’s financial district. Its Italianate architectural design draws inspiration from Roman palaces, characterized by an arcaded base level, a piano nobile on the second floor featuring windows topped alternately by segmented arches and triangular pediments, and a prominent cornice adorned with dentil molding and modillions.
During the 1890–91 renovation, the interior was stripped down to the floor joists. The bank’s offices were shifted from the second story to street level, and the main entrance was repositioned to the building’s southwest corner. The fifth floor underwent redesign featuring rectangular window openings; a sixth floor was added to mirror this style, and an elevator was installed. This extensive remodeling was overseen by architects Gould & Angell with Cutting & Bishop as contractors.
Established in February 1818 and later reorganized as a national bank in August 1865, Merchants Bank was headed by Royal C. Taft, who served as Rhode Island’s governor from 1888 to 1889 and held the bank presidency from 1868 until 1908. His successor was his son, Robert W. Taft, who assumed leadership in 1909. Following its merger with Providence National Bank in May 1926, the unified institution retained the Providence National Bank name but continued using the Merchants Bank Building until relocating to new facilities at 90 Westminster Street in February 1930.
In 1977, this building was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
See also
References
- Italianate architecture in Rhode Island
- Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island
- Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island
- Bank buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island
- Commercial buildings completed in 1855
- National Register of Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island
- Historic district contributing properties in Rhode Island