Superman Building Has Been Vacant for 8 Years — Is There Any Hope?

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

GoLocalProv News Team

Superman building has been vacant since April of 2013

It is almost anniversary time.

In April of 2013, Bank of America completed its exodus from the Industrial Bank Building in downtown Providence -- a.k.a the Superman Building.

Rhode Island’s tallest and most distinctive element of the capital city’s skyline will realize its now 8th year of closure and decay. If redeveloping the building was difficult before the pandemic, the challenges may be far more complex due to changes in work behavior and some reluctance to live in a tower building.

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The continued vacancy has left a stain on Providence’s financial district and an embarrassment for the state.

Massachusetts developer, David Sweetser of High Rock Development LLC refused to respond to questions about the building or how the building’s vacancy has adversely impacted the city.

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GoLocal drone photo of the building

Need to Save the Building

The building is not only empty, but it is clear that it is being battered by the elements and crumbling. A GoLocal investigation found that the exterior was showing signs of major deterioration -- a drone explored the limestone facade and found significant chipping.

SEE DRONE VIDEO HERE

The building has been dubbed both locally and nationally as one of the most endangered structures in the country. In 2019, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Superman Building one of the most endangered buildings in America.

“The State House and the Industrial National Bank Tower are Providence‘s most imposing and historically significant buildings. They are our Pantheon and our Colosseum. Like their counterparts in Rome, they must be preserved as part of our heritage," said Friedrich St. Florian, Rhode Island’s most revered architect.

“We must have the collective will to re-invent the Industrial National Bank Tower in order to secure its future as a standard-bearer of excellence in architecture,” said Florian who is the architect of the World War Two Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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Damage to the exterior PHOTO: GoLocal Drone

Equally, GoLocal’s architecture critic William Morgan said, “A city that cannot save its most important mercantile tower needs to ask itself what it really cares about. The Industrial Trust is not only one of the great American skyscrapers, but it is one of the enduring symbols of Providence.”

“Can it be saved? Of course, it can. But it takes a political will that the creative capital seems unable to muster. If we build garbage like the sure-to-fail, urban assault Fane Fiasco, but cannot find a solution for the Superman building we are real losers,” adds Morgan

Brent Runyon, the head of Providence Preservation Society said the building can and must be saved. “Absolutely, the building is salvageable,” said Runyon.

“What is important, as the City begins to plan a major project in Greater Kennedy Plaza, is that they work as diligently to ensure the Superman Building is repurposed,” added Runyon.

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The building untouched for years PHOTO: GoLocal

Future Plans

In the years after the closure, there were a number of potential plans for redevelopment. The developer had requested $100 million in taxpayer subsidies. Then came Citizens Bank, PayPal, Samsonite, and even an utterance by Virgin’s Richard Branson to turn the building into a Hotel.

Ben Smith, spokesperson for Mayor Jorge Elorza tells GoLocal, “The administration considers the Superman building a priority property and has engaged with multiple interested parties on several occasions. However, there are no development plans currently being considered.”

“We don't know of anything that is happening with the building. We hope there will be funding from the feds to stimulate economies in post-industrial cities like Providence, and perhaps this would be a candidate for funds,” added Runyon.

“The Superman building remains a priority property for redevelopment but we are considering all options to ensure that this iconic feature of the Providence skyline does not remain unoccupied,” added Smith.

RI Commerce’s spokesman Brian Hodge says there are some potential options. "We continue to be engaged in serious conversations regarding the potential redevelopment of this building. We remain optimistic about the possibilities for this historic and prominent property,” said Hodge.

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The building has dominated the skyline for nearly a century

Superman Building Has Been Vacant for 8 Years — Is There Any Hope?

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Superman Building Has Been Vacant for 8 Years — Is There Any Hope?

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