Former ‘endangered structure’ in Wayland Square undergoing redevelopment

A RENDERING SHOWS the new design by ZDS Architecture & Interior Design of the office building at 229 Waterman St., in Wayland Square in Providence. The renovated building will have two additional levels of new construction, to include 19 apartments on the third and fourth floors, and a rooftop restaurant with views of Narragansett Bay and Wayland Square. Several of the apartments will have rooftop decks. / COURTESY ZDS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN
A RENDERING SHOWS the new design by ZDS Architecture & Interior Design of the office building at 229 Waterman St., in Wayland Square in Providence. The renovated building will have two additional levels of new construction, to include 19 apartments on the third and fourth floors, and a rooftop restaurant with views of Narragansett Bay and Wayland Square. Several of the apartments will have rooftop decks. / COURTESY ZDS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

PROVIDENCE – A prominent building in Wayland Square is undergoing a final phase of redevelopment. The 1940s-era office building, at 229 Waterman St., is being converted to five levels of mixed-use occupancy.
When all is completed this summer, the enlarged structure will include a rooftop restaurant, apartments with views of Narragansett Bay and two levels of retail and commercial space.
The original three-story building was identified in 2009 by the Providence Preservation Society as among the city’s most endangered structures. It was built in 1948 as the home of the What Cheer Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and later was headquarters for FM Global, which donated it to the United Way, according to a PPS history of the site. Designed by architect Samuel Lerner, the building was considered a good example of mid-century, modern corporate architecture.
Under a new design by ZDS Architecture & Interior Design, the renovated building will have two additional levels of new construction, to include 19 apartments on the third and fourth floors, and a rooftop restaurant with views of Narragansett Bay and Wayland Square. Several of the apartments will have rooftop decks, said Eric Zuena, managing principal of ZDS Architecture & Interior Design.
The second floor of the original building has already been renovated into retail shops and restaurants. This floor is the first one visible from the direction of Wayland Square. Tenants include a Washington Trust bank branch and a Massage Envy salon.
The first floor, which is not visible from Wayland Square, is accessed from Seekonk Street. It will be subdivided into commercial spaces when completed.
The property is now owned by 229 Waterman Realty LLC, which has a registered contact of David Corsetti.

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