PROVIDENCE – The Providence Downtown Design Review Committee granted a final design review for a proposed six-story mixed-use building in the Jewelry District during its meeting Monday evening.
The approval is another step in an ongoing review process for t
he project, proposed by Pebb Capital, which consists of 191 residential and one first-floor commercial unit within a six-story building on Bassett Street. The proposal includes plans for 47 parking spaces, bike storage and amenities such as a dog spa and fitness center.
Previously, Pebb pitched the site as a spot for the new R.I. Department of Health Laboratories. But after being named a finalist for the project in April 2022, state officials opted for a proposal from Ancora L&G.
The Florida-based real estate and private equity investment firm shifted its focus for the site last year and was granted demolition waivers to raze buildings, as well as conceptual design approval for the new project in September 2023. Aside from some design refinements, the plans presented Monday were overall very similar to the proposal that earned conceptual design approval.
Nearby residents appear to support the project. Previous Downtown Design Review Committee meeting minutes show public comment in favor of the proposal. Representatives for the developers also said they have met with residents and the Jewelry District Neighborhood Association before presenting the proposal in September 2023.
"Pebb Capital’s conceptual design for its project on Bassett Street was well-received and approved," said Todd Benson, principal of Pebb Capital, in a statement to PBN. "The team has now advanced the architectural plans for final design approval without any major changes from the conceptual stage. Pebb Capital is excited to continue progression of the project."
Sharon Steele, president of the Jewelry District Neighborhood Association, said there was a lingering concern over the building’s accessibility off of Clifford Street. But Steele said Pebb representatives have been working to address it with the city and she is pleased with the proposal.
“We are generally very happy with the design,” Steele said during the public comment period Monday. “We are confident that it [the concern] will be resolved because this project cannot successfully move forward unless Clifford Street has returned to a two lanes street. Otherwise, people cannot have access to this building by either operating on foot or by vehicle.”
Because the proposal is located on a portion of Parcel 34 within the I-195 district, Pebb has entered into a land swap agreement with the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. This also means the proposal must go through both the PPDRC and I-195 commission’s design processes.
More recently, the project received concept approval from the I-195 commission in December when commissioners also recommended the plan earn final design approval from the Downtown Design Review Committee. It was not immediately clear when the plans will be presented again.
(UPDATED throughout with committee vote and comment from the meeting.)
Katie Castellani is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Castellani@PBN.com.
