The Gardner Building

Originally built as a five story building and modernized in 1925, with the addition of three new stories, the Gardner Building is sheathed in stone and yellow brick with a steel-frame and topped with a tower on the north east corner.

Since being built, the property has housed various office and educational uses.

In 2017, Cornish Associates and the Boston based Nordblom Company partnered on the purchase of the Gardner Building. Renovations are currently being planned.

- Use
- Office
- Built
- 1918
- Project Completion
- TBD
- Architects
- F.P. Sheldon & Sons
- Commercial SF
- 73,610
- Residential Units
- 0

The History of The Gardner Building

688 Gardner Building, Providence, Rhode Island

1918

Gardner Building is built by F.P. Sheldon & Sons Architects and Engineers. The building is named after Nathan L. Garden, the president of the R.L. Greene Paper Company, the original occupant of the building

1924

Plans are underway to add additional stories to the original five stories.

1925

The building is purchased by the Bryant and Stratton Rhode Island Commercial School, who occupy the property from 1923-1935. Upon moving, the school renovates and modernizes, adding two new upper stories and new amenities including a lunch counter described as ‘electrically equipped’. The classrooms are arranged in the style of mock businesses allowing students a combination of hands-on experience and learning through lecture attendance.

1925-1935

Bryant & Stratton continue to operate the school out of the Gardner Building.

1957

The Gardner Building seen in the background housing the offices of AAA on the ground floor. In the foreground is the New England Terminal Co. bus station located next door