PROVIDENCE – Nine developers pitched their plans for housing, retail, restaurants – and even a hotel – for Parcel 5 in Providence’s 195 Redevelopment District Wednesday night, providing details on how they would transform the crucial 1½-acre grassy plot overlooking the Providence River.
The nine plans submitted for Parcel 5 came in response to the request for proposals issued by the district commission. Developers were encouraged to submit pedestrian-friendly plans with mixed-use developments that connect to the riverfront park along South Water Street and the Fox Point neighborhood.
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The rapid-fire, 12-minute presentations were the first steps in the selection process the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission is undertaking to decide how the parcel – an empty plot across Wickenden Street from the mix-used development anchored by a Trader Joe’s grocery store – will be used.
“This parcel is extremely significant,” said architect Eric Zuena, who worked with developer Bluedog Capital Partners LLC on a condo-hotel plan with ground-floor stores and restaurants. “The parcels that are remaining on the east and west of the pedestrian bridge are a final attempt at making something special happen here.”
The developers include EQT Exeter; Transom Real Estate; CranLake LLC; Bluedog Capital Partners LLC; Design Center Partners; The Parcel 5 JV; Cabot, Cabot & Forbes; Greylock Property Group; and Toll Brothers.
Bluedog Capital’s proposal, named “Vital on the River,” includes 41,700 square feet of commercial and retail space, 57,600 square feet for a hotel on the second through fourth floors and 40,700 square feet for condos on the fifth and sixth floors. The developer noted in the plans that the proposal is meant to be a lifestyle development where residents can “Live, Work and Prosper.”
Zuena, managing partner and founder of ZDS Architecture, which has contributed to several developments in Providence, noted the parcel’s importance, calling it a “gateway project.”
He also said the pedestrian bridge has served as a big inspiration for the Blue Dog design. The developers are working with New York City-based Mint House, an apartment-style hospitality company, on a hotel that would be located on three floors of the building.
Design Center Partners’ proposal is titled, “The Providence Art & Design Center,” with 200 residential units – including 5% of creative workforce housing – and a 50,000-square-foot art and design center. According to the plans, developers have an agreement in principle with OPEN Projects to create an exhibition space and with Angel’s Kitchen for a food and beverage concept.
The idea driving the proposal is simple, said Andrew Keating, founder and principal of Wade Keating, which is the project’s architect.
“We need more than just housing, we need more than just apartment buildings and we really need more than just an apartment building with some commercial activity,” Keating said. “What we are proposing is really a distinct place for the district … that is a cultural destination.”
The developer said the art and design center will spark a creative industry in the city with galleries, showrooms and creative and local makers, within a more general commercial area.
“It’s a visually stunning design,” said Marc Crisafulli, chairman of the 195 commission, after the Design Center Partners’ presentation.
The Parcel 5 JV’s proposal has two buildings with a courtyard in between them. Plans include 104 residential units, including four reserved as workforce housing, and 75 parking spaces in a structured garage as well as 55 bike spaces. There is also 8,000 square feet of retail space, spots for a bakery, restaurant and coffee or ice cream shop.
Ralph Parent, principal for Parent+Diamond Real Estate Development, one of the firms part of the joint venture, said the pitch for Parcel 5 represents what they learned from the failed pitch to develop Parcels 2 and 1A – to incorporate the residents and add density.
EQT Exeter’s proposal is a six-floor building with 210 residential units – including 21 units of workforce housing and 12 live-work units. There is also 10,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage on the first and second floors with 110 spaces. Residents could move in as soon as August 2027 if the design, approval and construction processes go to plan, according to EQT Exeter documents. This isn’t the developer’s first time working in the district as it built Emblem 128, a mixed-used development on Parcel 28 with 249 residential units and ground-floor retail space.
Transom Real Estate is proposing a six-story building with 220 apartments, 1,200 square feet of gallery space, 2,100 square feet of pop-up retail along with space for a restaurant and bar, and fitness center. Plans show the massing is also designed in a way that creates courtyards that open up to the park, waterfront and Fox Point neighborhood.
CranLake LLC’s proposal includes two structures – one called “The Wharf Building” and the other “The Vessel” – with a connector in between. Plans for the six-story development include 201 residential units with up to 10% set aside for workforce housing along with approximately 25,000 square feet of retail and office space. There is structured parking with 118 spaces and 15 on-street visitor spots as well as 120 bike parking spaces.
Cabot, Cabot & Forbes’ proposal is a six-story development with 259 residential units with at least 13 reserved as privately subsidized workforce housing, 81 parking spaces and 137 bike spaces. If selected, plans show the developer expects the building to be move-in ready in March 2028. The massing is broken up with two rooftop decks on the second floor, giving the building the appearance of having three separate structures. Plans also include 7,800 square feet of retail space.
Greylock Property Group LLC’s proposal is two buildings with 160 residential units, 13,100 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 6,000 square feet of office space and a rooftop deck. The six-story development is made up of two L-shaped buildings with a courtyard and outdoor dining space in between.
Toll Brothers’ proposal is a six-story development with 227 residential units, 114 bike spaces and 130 parking spaces. There is also 11,650 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Similar to Cabot, Cabot & Forbes’ proposal, the massing is split up with two rooftop decks above the retail space.
Several local residents spoke during a public comment period in the meeting, and the commission will accept written public comment through Oct. 2.
No vote was taken Wednesday, commissioners plan to hear the proposals again and vote on finalists during a meeting on Oct. 16.
Katie Castellani is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Castellani@PBN.com.
We need more condo units for median income buyers to add to the tax roll. The last thing we need are more “luxury” apartments to cater to transient students who are temporary residents of our city. Lets add housing that will encourage these students to stay and put down roots in Providence after graduation.