Shepard Company Building

Shepard's

Company type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	1880
Defunct	1974
Fate	Bankruptcy and closure
Headquarters	Providence, Rhode Island , United States
Products	Department store goods

The Shepard Company Building, located at 255 Westminster Street and 72-92 Washington Street in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, served as the flagship location for Shepard's, a leading and highly regarded department store in New England, from 1903 until 1974. Initially established as a single structure in the 1870s at the corner of Clemence and Washington Streets, it eventually expanded to occupy the entire block bounded by Westminster, Clemence, Washington, and Union Streets.

Following Shepard's shutdown, the building stood empty for almost twenty years before the Providence Preservation Society organized a design charrette to explore potential uses for the space. The property was later acquired by the State of Rhode Island and currently accommodates the Providence Campus of the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Education, along with various state government offices and educational institutions.

History

Originally constructed in 1880 as a modest three-story building exhibiting Italianate style at Clemence and Washington Streets, the structure underwent significant enlargement beginning in 1896 under the direction of architects Martin & Hall. This expansion was largely finalized by 1903. By 1909, Shepard's boasted numerous facilities including a restaurant capable of serving 4,100 customers, laundry operations, refrigeration and ice production plants, fur storage services, and an in-house printing facility.

In March 1923, a significant fire inflicted damages exceeding $1 million; however, reconstruction was promptly overseen by Hall.

The emergence of suburban shopping centers and malls during the 1960s contributed to a decline in Shepard's sales. The company declared bankruptcy in 1973 and was subsequently purchased by Eastern Dry Goods Company. Facing persistent financial difficulties, Eastern Dry Goods signaled plans for liquidation. Ultimately, Shepard's ceased operations permanently in 1974. Following this closure, the building was rented to various occupants but became vacant again by the early 1990s.

The building earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and its future was revisited during a Providence Preservation Society charrette held in the 1990s.

In 1993, ownership transferred to the Rhode Island Port Authority for close to $2.3 million. Proposed plans involved establishing a history museum operated by the Rhode Island Heritage Center on the lower two floors, alongside office accommodations for approximately 500 state employees including those from Environmental Management, the Council on the Arts, and Library Services.

After losing its lease at Providence Place mall, the University of Rhode Island required new premises for its Providence Campus and relocated to the Shepard Company Building. Renovations completed in 1996 by David Presbrey adapted the space for academic use and introduced a sidewalk clock on Washington Street.

Presently owned by the State of Rhode Island, this historic building hosts URI’s Alan Feinstein Campus as well as offices for the Rhode Island Department of Education and other state agencies.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island