Arcade’s micro lofts picking up awards

NORTHEAST COLLABORATIVE ARCHITECTS created 48 micro-lofts on the second and third floors of the Arcade in Providence, and 17 micro retail spaces on the main level. The project recently won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Multi-Housing News. / COURTESY NORTHEAST COLLABORATIVE ARCHITECTS
NORTHEAST COLLABORATIVE ARCHITECTS created 48 micro-lofts on the second and third floors of the Arcade in Providence, and 17 micro retail spaces on the main level. The project recently won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Multi-Housing News. / COURTESY NORTHEAST COLLABORATIVE ARCHITECTS

PROVIDENCE – Restoration of the micro lofts at the Arcade Providence garnered a “preservation honor award” from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Arcade was one of 17 award winners to be honored by the nonprofit National Trust during its 2014 Past Forward National Preservation Conference on Nov. 13 in Savannah, Ga.
The Providence Arcade, designed by Russell Warren and James Bucklin, was America’s first indoor shopping mall.
Built in 1828, the Greek Revival building boasts Ionic columns, as well as granite, iron and marble features. The Arcade survived fires, hurricanes, demolition threats and economic downturns over the years. In 2008, it was closed, prompting the Providence Preservation Society to place it on the organization’s 10 Most Endangered Properties list.
Then two years ago, Northeast Collaborative Architects unveiled a $7 million adaptive reuse project to help restore the landmark. The renovation created 48 micro lofts and 17 micro retail spaces in the Arcade, a project that helped address Providence’s affordable housing shortage.
“While each is unique, this year’s outstanding honor award winners all reflect the importance of protecting our nation’s cultural heritage,” Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement.
The award was presented to Northeast Collaborative Architects; the co-recipient of the award was Evan Granoff.
This is the second award that the micro loft project at the Arcade has picked up in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Multi-Housing News honored the micro lofts with a 2014 gold excellence award in the “best new development, adaptive reuse category.”
According to a press release from Northeast Collaborative Architects, the jury had this to say about the project, “The project is a highly creative adaptive reuse solution resulting in micro lofts for a very modern demographic.”
The micro lofts are on the second and third floors, while the retail spaces are the main level. The $7 million project included the creation of furnished one-bedroom units ranging in size from 225- to 450-square-feet.

No posts to display

1 COMMENT