PROVIDENCE – A $2 million renovation is now underway at the Equitable Building, a landmark in the city’s Financial District.
The building is being redeveloped by owner Premier Development Inc., which bought it in 2003 and is serving as general contractor, said owner David Corsetti.
The 136-year old building qualified for the R.I. Historic Preservation Investment Tax Credit program, said Edward F. Sanderson, executive director of the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.
It’s also one of only two Rhode Island buildings that are fully fronted with cast iron, he said.
“As far as I know, those are the only two with full cast-iron façades,” Sanderson said. “There were some others in Providence – there was one that was demolished when Fleet Bank made the Fleet Center. We really saw this type of building during the last quarter of the 19th century.”
The building, at 36 Weybosset St., had formerly housed The Custom House Tavern. The subterranean first floor and second floor will be a new restaurant, Corsetti said last week.
The firm Jeffrey L. Lykins Architect is designing the renovation.
